Refreshing the school's logo to bring it more into line with the times, while maintaining a design that reflects the school's historical values. The logo should appeal to education, the idea of evolution and geography (Vautrin Lud being an important figure in the history of geography).
My Approach
Following standard visual identity practice, I began with graphic research that yielded two initial logo concepts. I refined the second concept since it better aligned with the client's vision.
This exploration led to a third, more contemporary design that stronger emphasized education and geography. After presenting several variations to the client (see below), they selected the version with the most prominent pencil element.
The logo consists of four key elements:
A 'C' for college that doubles as a globe, symbolizing geography while its semi-circular shape suggests evolution and progress
A map of America as a tribute to Vautrin Lud
The school's name
A pencil formed by the letters 'A' and 'U', representing education
The vibrant color palette adds energy and contemporary appeal to the design.
Final Thoughts
The final logo successfully merges multiple layers of meaning into a cohesive and dynamic symbol. By integrating educational elements with geographical references, the design honors both the school's namesake and its academic mission. The transformation of letters into meaningful symbols – the 'C' into a globe and 'A/U' into a pencil – creates visual interest while maintaining clarity and purpose.
The thoughtful color choices and contemporary styling ensure the logo feels current while respecting the institution's heritage. This refreshed visual identity positions the school firmly in the present while creating a strong foundation for future growth. Most importantly, it accomplishes the core objective: crafting a symbol that resonates with the school's historical connection to geography through Vautrin Lud, while serving as a modern beacon for education and intellectual evolution.
Refreshing the school's logo to bring it more into line with the times, while maintaining a design that reflects the school's historical values. The logo should appeal to education, the idea of evolution and geography (Vautrin Lud being an important figure in the history of geography).
My Approach
Following standard visual identity practice, I began with graphic research that yielded two initial logo concepts. I refined the second concept since it better aligned with the client's vision.
This exploration led to a third, more contemporary design that stronger emphasized education and geography. After presenting several variations to the client (see below), they selected the version with the most prominent pencil element.
The logo consists of four key elements:
A 'C' for college that doubles as a globe, symbolizing geography while its semi-circular shape suggests evolution and progress
A map of America as a tribute to Vautrin Lud
The school's name
A pencil formed by the letters 'A' and 'U', representing education
The vibrant color palette adds energy and contemporary appeal to the design.
Final Thoughts
The final logo successfully merges multiple layers of meaning into a cohesive and dynamic symbol. By integrating educational elements with geographical references, the design honors both the school's namesake and its academic mission. The transformation of letters into meaningful symbols – the 'C' into a globe and 'A/U' into a pencil – creates visual interest while maintaining clarity and purpose.
The thoughtful color choices and contemporary styling ensure the logo feels current while respecting the institution's heritage. This refreshed visual identity positions the school firmly in the present while creating a strong foundation for future growth. Most importantly, it accomplishes the core objective: crafting a symbol that resonates with the school's historical connection to geography through Vautrin Lud, while serving as a modern beacon for education and intellectual evolution.
