By Dave Taylor, Director, Marketing and Communications
Have you seen it yet on campus, or maybe on the SkyTrain?
Douglas College has a new look, complete with new logo, colors and typeface, along with new messages and images to encourage prospective students to take a look at what Douglas College has to offer.
The best way to get a quick feel for everything is to watch our new video:
We say that symbols like logos and videos are part of our brand. Those symbols can do a lot to help people understand what makes Douglas College special: our high quality programs, our passionate teachers and our supportive student services.
What we’re really talking about is your experience of being at Douglas and how you feel about that experience.
Our new look came from deep listening to the hearts and minds of students and prospective students, as well as teachers and support staff.
What we heard is that you want a stimulating and smart learning environment. You want to be encouraged to be creative, to engage with new ideas, and to experience new things. You’re motivated to learn about yourself and find your passion. You’re here to build the story of your life, the story where you get to do what you love, be good at it, and make a difference in the world.
Fortunately, Douglas College is good at supporting you in your educational journey, and our new look is meant to show that we’re a good choice for people like you.
So what do you think of our new stuff? Leave us a comment and let us know!
Posts
Great work. I love this new branding. It is so much more refreshing than that horrible triangle. I know some people don't think we should spend money on highlighting our strengths but i think this is extremely important. I love the logo togo coffee much and hoodie. I will buy both of them. I am happy to see the college is taking its public image and the need to communicate clearly with surround public communities seriously. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteI agree with anonymous - the branding is just as important as the strengths the school offers. Sometimes you need to use money to capture more students and to do so would to invoke more curiosity of what the school as to offer. The brand is simplistically concise and demonstrates Douglas' focus - before there was no focus - it was merely a school where people said "oh, the one next to Spaghetti Factory?". The brand shows Douglas is taking initiative to educate and to hold students accountable to take charge of their own lives. Douglas is there to guide them in whatever choices the student makes. Now that's class and smart! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell do the letters OUA even mean? This rebrand makes me sad, completely arbitrary in form. The reasoning behind it is all well and good, but I challenge anyone to argue that any of that rhetoric is accurately communicated in this new logo. I guess Douglas thinks Gotham Bold and some negative tracking and leading is all that's needed to seem hip and get more cash. Look, 'style' fades, whereas meaningful, well thought out typography lasts. Most people are going to think "ooh, this is so much trendier than that triangle thing", but I shudder at the thought of how much hardworking student's tuition money was spent on something that looks like a first iteration from a first year graphic design student. It just doesn't SAY anything. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. This is a fleeting campaign that will not survive the test of time as a means of identifying Douglas' brand. "DO" means something and communicates the brand well. "OUA" does not. Also, DO UG LAS sounds like a shout from Skyrim. Just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteI suppose the message of having students take initiative with their own lives with the guidance of professors is a 'trend', then that's exactly the trend I want to see -- these days people are unaccountable and believe all is to be given to them. This campaign says "take action". Its about time. This 'trend' is a sign of changing times and encouraging students to take control of their lives. As well, "OUA" is straightforward given you have indicated "the reasoning is all well and good" --if you're going to criticize, be a little more professional about it.
ReplyDeleteWell, it's a new logo, that's what is is. I think it looks okay. The triangle thing was looking a bit outdated. What else would they have come up with? Personally, I'd like to see the 'rejected' designs. I bet this was the one that got the most positive responses, so they just went with it.
ReplyDeleteWhen you think of it, Douglas is a business and they have to attract customers (oh, wait, that's us! Students!) here so they will fork over their money here rather then at another competing institution. So yeah, rebranding so as to (hoepfully) attract more of the target demographic you seak makes good business sense.
i like the new look
ReplyDelete