Brand identityStudio Blue worked with UIC in both an academic and professional capacity. The relationship began with a senior-level professional practice course at the School of Design. Taught by studio members and other faculty, the course led students in primary and secondary research and the development of language and design. Once classroom prototypes were approved, Studio Blue developed the work into a full-fledged identity system and guidelines, now implemented across the university’s 15 colleges and administrative units.

Brand identityWith UIC students, we spent two semesters gathering insights and developing a visual and verbal identity system for the university. In all, nearly 200 stakeholders were interviewed during the process to ensure that the new brand accurately represents UIC and its future. The brand design and implementation include a family of logotypes and marks for the university’s primary and secondary colleges and administrative units; color, image, and typographic guidelines; stationery; and prototypes for signage and banners, a website, print materials, and apparel.

Brand identityFaculty member and writer Meghan Ferrill collaborated with us to develop key concepts, phrases, and stories representing the university. These tools are used by UIC’s numerous decentralized marketing, development, and communications offices.

Brand identityTogether, photography and bold color communicate the energy, breadth, and transformative potential of UIC’s mission of social justice and academic excellence.

Brand identityThe new identity consists of two key components: 1) The vertical logotype emphasizes the campus’s urban spirit with an experimental, aspirational orientation of the university’s name; and 2) The circular mark updates the existing UIC acronym, incorporating a circle to refer to the university’s historical name (Circle Campus).

Brand identityThe new system provides a range of lockups for each unit, which can be brief or extended, energetic or refined.

Brand identityTemplates were provided for a range of tools. Shown here is university stationery.

Brand identityApparel

Brand identityThe identity incorporates a distinct, contemporary, but durable typographic vocabulary.

Brand identityTypographic guidelines

Brand identityTypographic guidelines

Brand identityTemplates were provided for a range of tools. Shown here are Powerpoint templates.

Brand identityTemporary signage prototypes

Brand identityWebsite prototype

Brand identityCampus signage prototype