Designcontest.com Invites Designers to Create New UC Logo
The new University of California logo has come up against some rough and tough criticism from students, alumni and the graphic design industry at large. In point of fact, as of the end of last week, the University has officially decided to suspend the use of the new monogram due to the continued backlash against the design.
In his statement, Daniel M. Dooley, senior vice president for external relations at the University of California Office of the President, had this to say:
“The controversy has been fueled in large part by an unfortunate and false narrative, which framed the matter as an either-or choice between a venerated UC seal and a newly designed monogram.”
The UC logo has a deeply embedded history with a very strong and loyal following. The new logo was part of a larger campaign to unify the UC system and to reach out to the state as a whole, according to UC spokesperson Dianne Klein.
An in-house design team headed by UC Creative Director Vanessa Correa was responsible for the new design. However, even the University’s own art lecturers responded in disgust at the rebranding process. In an open letter to UC President Mark Yudof, Professor Kip Fulbeck, Senior Professor of Art at UCSB, wrote:
“How an in-house design team can operate for three+ years rebranding the university’s visual identity without the university’s own Art faculty knowing is beyond me. Our campuses boast internationally renowned experts in the visual arts, design, and criticism. We educate scores of cutting edge MFA candidates each year. My top undergraduate art students are the best in the country. Why were none of us consulted? In this time of budget cuts and clustering, why weren’t our own resources tapped? What happened to the UC’s esteemed history of self-governance and openness? And who, exactly, oversaw these decisions? My colleagues and I are dumbfounded.”
Changing a university logo is almost like changing your own coat of arms or your state flag. So DesignContest.com has challenged their designers in a community for fun contest to create a better logo than the new UC design. Changing or re-branding is a difficult choice to make with a design that has deep roots.
DesignContest.com was established in 2003 and provides a platform for both small and large businesses to obtain new designs for T-shirts, websites, business cards and other such paraphernalia. Contest holders select the cash prize they wish to award the winner in their contest, allowing designers to compete against one another by submitting designs.
