Spring Break
UA seeks to replace legendary Old Main insignia
Brian Lofton
Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: News
A series of black horizontal lines resembling the Old Main tower has notably advertised the UA as an institutional landmark of higher education across the globe. It has been an icon of knowledge, sophistication, inspiration and higher education for more than two decades. However, the time has come when UA officials think it is time for the logo to pass the torch.
"We've been looking into updating since I got here in 2006," associate vice chancellor Tyesen Kendig said. UA officials have been receiving increasing feedback that it may be time to consider 'freshening up' the mark. But, more importantly, it's been a common complaint that the horizontal blind effect does not translate well into multimedia applications that emerged since the mark's development -- most specifically, the Internet.
"AT&T had a similar problem with their blue, striped logo." Kendig said. "They now have a similar logo, but with a more modern, sleek design."
Some might fear the logo revision will be an unnecessary expenditure of the university's valuable resources; however, there is no need to fret.
The UA is experiencing a large cost saving due to in-house conceptualization. With the aid of focus groups, and three UA professional designers on staff, no outsourcing will be required. As far as prints of the current logo are concerned, the university plans to exhaust all prints of envelopes, business cards and other formal documents that contain the current logo. This will create a phase-out of the old emblem. UA officials estimate it will take about 3 months before the new logo is considered official. Also, it is on the UA's agenda to re-install aged signs around campus anyway, so the new emblem could be conveniently and inexpensively implemented.
Of course, the design of the new insignia is an important issue.
"The goal is to develop a mark that stands the test of time, while also representing the institution in a qualitative way that leverages our traditions and distinctions," Kendig said.
"We've been looking into updating since I got here in 2006," associate vice chancellor Tyesen Kendig said. UA officials have been receiving increasing feedback that it may be time to consider 'freshening up' the mark. But, more importantly, it's been a common complaint that the horizontal blind effect does not translate well into multimedia applications that emerged since the mark's development -- most specifically, the Internet.
"AT&T had a similar problem with their blue, striped logo." Kendig said. "They now have a similar logo, but with a more modern, sleek design."
Some might fear the logo revision will be an unnecessary expenditure of the university's valuable resources; however, there is no need to fret.
The UA is experiencing a large cost saving due to in-house conceptualization. With the aid of focus groups, and three UA professional designers on staff, no outsourcing will be required. As far as prints of the current logo are concerned, the university plans to exhaust all prints of envelopes, business cards and other formal documents that contain the current logo. This will create a phase-out of the old emblem. UA officials estimate it will take about 3 months before the new logo is considered official. Also, it is on the UA's agenda to re-install aged signs around campus anyway, so the new emblem could be conveniently and inexpensively implemented.
Of course, the design of the new insignia is an important issue.
"The goal is to develop a mark that stands the test of time, while also representing the institution in a qualitative way that leverages our traditions and distinctions," Kendig said.
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