World-renowned research, game-changing teaching methods and a renewed emphasis on internationalization have propelled The University of Western Ontario to adopt a new visual identity for the 134-year-old destination for higher learning.
World-renowned research, game-changing teaching methods and a renewed emphasis on internationalization have propelled The University of Western Ontario to adopt a new visual identity for the 134-year-old destination for higher learning.
Today’s virtual launch of Western’s new visual identity follows a year-long process, which included hundreds of hours of consultation involving more than 5,000 responses from faculty, staff, students, and alumni worldwide.
Among the most prominent changes is that the university will now be referred to as ‘Western University,’ or simply ‘Western.’ This trademarked name and visual identity creates a unified look and feel that allows us to better demonstrate the strengths of the university on the world stage.
“Western is already well recognized nationally and we need a stronger common visual identification as we compete globally for the very best faculty, staff and students,” says Amit Chakma, Western president. “There is tremendous pride in Western and our new visual identity will play a key role in doing a better job of telling Western’s story to the world.”
The name draws from the institution’s rich history, which was founded by Bishop Isaac Hellmuth as Western University of London Ontario in 1878. In a recent survey of the campus’ international community of faculty, staff and alumni, 86 per cent of respondents referred to the institution as, simply, Western.
The new brand sees Western transition from the Tower logo (adopted in 2000) in favour of an updated version of the shield that appears in Western’s coat of arms. The new logo is coupled with a custom font, created by designer Ian Brignell, who also created a custom font for Harvard University. Both the font, to be registered as ‘Hellmuth’ and the logo will be used to distinguish the overall university, and its faculties and units.
“Western is a highly complex organization with strengths across all of its faculties. We feel that the shield best captures Western’s tradition of excellence in teaching and research,” says Nigel Smith, a principal in the Toronto design firm of Hahn Smith, which worked on the project.
Western University delivers an academic experience second to none. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities. Western challenges the best and brightest faculty, staff and students to commit to the highest global standards. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community.
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