CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is returning to a single logo – the familiar orange block “I” – throughout campus and in outreach to external audiences.
Colleges and administrative units will begin moving to the logo immediately but the internal transition is expected to last several months. Units will be instructed not to waste any existing printed materials, and instead to deplete supplies of those that display the current wordmark before transitioning to the new standard.
The university’s logo for most of its history, the block “I” was first referenced in campus archives is 1892. Using the block “I” as the only logo will consolidate and strengthen the university brand’s impact, said Robin Kaler, the associate chancellor for public affairs. This return to a single logo will ensure that the entire campus can leverage the full benefit of the university’s legacy and take advantage of the instant global recognition that the block “I” enjoys.
Used by the University’s nonathletic units since 1997, the column “I” will be retired.
The column "I" ends its 20-year run as the Urbana campus logo for academic and administrative units.
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The fact that the public is presented multiple versions of a campus logo represents a significant problem and creates needless confusion, Chancellor Robert J. Jones said. As a component of a long-term project to unify and strengthen campus marketing efforts, Jones directed staff to modernize and unify the campus logo, and to clarify rules for its use.
“Ultimately, this is just the first step in our effort to harness the power of the Illinois brand, work that will have tangible implications for our fundraising efforts, faculty and student recruitment, corporate support, research funding and our overall reputation,” Jones said.
Members of a marketing advisory council have worked with deans, department heads, faculty and staff across campus to refine the proposed design, address any concerns about the change, and outline a clear process and timeline for the transition.
“I’m especially proud that while many of our peers spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on visual identity projects, our communications professionals on campus have led this effort completely in-house,” Jones said. “This savings will allow us to invest resources in additional efforts to tell our Illinois story in significant and impactful ways.”
