The University of Rochester is trying to develop a new graphic identity, and a huge part of that is to create a new logo. They are replacing the monochromatic, somewhat outdated seal and crest that are used very inconsistently on many campus letterheads.
The five finalists for the new logo have been selected from over 100 initial ideas. The shield has been updated but still retains many of the important elements of the old logo: “Meliora,” the motto, meaning “Always Better,” the three divisions of learning, and the dandelion, which is an important school symbol. The goal for the logo is to look unique, but dignified, and to signal that UR is a “world-class research institution.”
Personally, I like the crest on the second logo, but I like the typography on the first. The name fits inside a clean rectangle, and the word “Rochester” is emphasized without having to be disproportionately larger than the first part of the name.
Which logo do you like best and why? Leave a comment here, and be sure to take the official survey so that your vote can be counted.
I totally agree with you. I chose the second one because of the shield too. I like the retangle-ness of the first one, but I don’t like that it’s two different colors. I also like that the font in the second one is bold. Odd that I had the same initial reaction as you did.
On second thought, I agree that the coloring is off in the first logo’s text. Rochester should be blue, not black and grey. The text on the second one is closer to what we have now, which I like. Also, the first one looks really out of proportion – the text size doesn’t fit the shield size. Hopefully there will be a clear winner in the voting.