UH updates logo for more modern look
The book of knowledge is open, not closed; the flame is bigger; and the continents are gone
The book of knowledge is open, not closed; the flame is bigger; and the continents are gone.
But the new seal/logo for the University of Hawaii keeps the main elements from the original 1921 design. The new design makes its debut this week in several UH publications and newsletters to faculty, staff and alumni. It will eventually replace the old seal and other logos used by different campuses and departments on most business cards, letterheads, merchandise and signs.
The UH-Manoa athletic department "H," UH-Hilo Vulcan's logo and some other logos will remain in use, said Cheryl Ernst, director of creative services at the UH system office. The original seal will still be used on diplomas and other official documents.
"It's not a new seal, it's an updated seal," insisted Carolyn Tanaka, the UH vice president for external relations. "We needed to update the look of the seal to bring it into the 21st century."
Ernst said the "intricate" design of the traditional seal was sometimes difficult to reproduce on Web sites with some printers and on embroidered merchandise. The new design has "cleaner lines and is less busy," Ernst said. The typeface is also more modern.
In 2002, under former President Evan Dobelle, the university solicited firms in an ill-fated attempt to design a completely new logo for UH. The university hired a mainland firm, Robert Rytter & Associates, and paid the firm $73,637. But their "Wave" and "Spectrum" designs were soundly rejected by the public and the contract was canceled.
The university tried again in 2004 and paid three local firms $5,000 each to design a new logo. They came up with six ideas, but none resonated with the selection committee, and the project was dropped.
The lesson learned was that the public is attached to the UH seal with its book and flame, Ernst said. But the problem of reproducing it remained.
So, Ernst said UH started to update the design last year in conjunction with the centennial. The new design and a manual governing the usage of the seal were reviewed by the Council of Chancellors and approved by UH President David McClain.
The updated seal was designed by Bonnie Beatson, a UH alumna and graphic artist at Windward Community College. The Office of External and University Relations worked with her on the design and paid her about $5,000, Ernst said. Each campus will use the same seal, but in different colors.
The new seal will gradually go into wider use, Ernst said, as old business cards, stationery and signs are replaced. "We're not going to waste taxpayer money by throwing away perfectly good stationery."
As for when you can buy a T-shirt with the new design, Ernst said vendors have already ordered their products for the fall. The earliest new T-shirts, hats and other merchandise will be available will be at the end of the year, possibly just before Christmas.
