Logo Redesign Process

Introduction:

In July 2011, President Hurwitz announced the formation of a logo redesign committee created for the purpose of developing and implementing a new logo for the university.

In recent years Gallaudet conducted an in-depth examination of the university’s brand and logo identities. The creation of a new logo will be the first step in moving forward in these areas.

The committee has been charged with the following considerations as part of the logo development and implementation process:

• “Gallaudet University” must be the priority in how the university presents itself to its many publics. As such the logo should include the university name as well as honor the traditionalism that is such a significant part of the university, including its bilingual mission.
• There should also be a methodology through which the new logo can enable individual departments and areas which need a separate awareness to achieve that while at the same time maintaining consistency with the university’s broader identity.
• The logo should be usable across the range of mediums, including marketing campaigns, advertising, web representation, e-newsletters, letterhead and envelopes, clothing, business cards, pins, signage, slide show templates, and so on.

To achieve these goals, the committee is charged with creating a new logo and developing written guidelines for its usage; and developing a transition plan for implementing the new logo throughout the university and beyond. The committee is chaired by Catherine Murphy.

Subcommittees

To accomplish these tasks, two subcommittees have been established:

Creative Development Subcommittee. This subcommittee is chaired by Debra Lawson. Tasks of this subcommittee include:

• Identify the official university colors (exact shades of the “Buff” and “Blue”).
• Create a design of the main or “anchor” logo to represent the university as a whole as well as “cross-branded” logo treatments to represent individual departments.
• Establish standards and guidelines for the use of the logo.

Transition and Implementation Subcommittee. This subcommittee is chaired by Michael Moore. Tasks for this subcommittee include:

• Identify all of the uses of the logo throughout the university.
• Develop a budget and timeline for implementation of the logo.
• Create a public awareness and communications campaign to educate the campus community and beyond about the new logo.

Public input:

Those individuals who are not serving on the committee but have questions or wish to communicate suggestions or concerns are encouraged to directly contact Catherine Murphy, Executive Director of Communications and Public Relations at catherine.murphy@gallaudet.edu and she will present those concerns to the committee for consideration.

When the committee finishes their assignments, there will be a campus presentation followed by a two-week public comment period. The committee will present its final recommendations to a fall meeting of the University Council and then final action. The broad representation of the committee members and opportunities for input will ensure that we have the fullest participation from across the university in this important task.

In his campus-wide announcement regarding the decision to move forward with a new university logo, President Hurwitz noted, “The university logo is a significant part of the collegiate experience for all of the Gallaudet community, as it promotes pride in Gallaudet University as well as a sense of community for us all. Creating a new logo is an exciting time for all of us and I look forward to the participation of the community in this historic process which will reflect both our endearing traditionalism and our openness to the future that are such a large part of our university.”