Union’s Students Response to Logo Change: Mixed Reviews

You’ve probably heard about Union’s logo change by now. If not, we have a new one! This week I posted a survey on uGroups to give you all a chance to share your thoughts on this change. Of the 28 of you who responded, 88.9% of you prefer the visual look of the old logo, vs 11.1% who prefer the new logo. 

When asked what your thoughts/comments/opinions were, here’s what you thought:

“It’s not bad, however, I believe the font in “Union” is a bit too tall or stretched vertically if that makes sense. Also, I’m all for the modern look, it’s important; but there could have been a better balance between modernity and the classic college look that existed in the previous logo. Like I said though it’s not bad, solid 8.5/10.”

‘The kerning [the spacing between the letters for those of us who are not graphic design majors] is off (mainly in "college"). As a graphic design major, this was the first thing I noticed when the new logo came out. And especially considering that Union has been trying to beef up the graphic design program and attract more students to it... This isn't good. My eye wants the large "U" to be aligned to the top and bottom lines instead of awkwardly hovering somewhere in the middle. Or at least align the top points of the "U" with the top points of the "N"... I've read and understand the statement the college put out about the new logo, but I don't feel that the large "U" works in this instance. It overpowers the rest of the logo, and it creates a visually unappealing angle. At the VERY LEAST, the kerning needs to be correct.”

“It looks like a high school basics of graphic design class made it. It doesn't fit, it's cartoonish and cheapens the overall feel of the website. Union is an institution of higher education, not a grade school summer camp.”

“I like it, it differentiates us from the other Unions.” 

“I really don’t like this new symbol. It is modern but I don’t think it flows or fits the campus. It’s not what I would picture when I picture a family friendly, small campus. I think it fits a bigger university.”

“I like it! It feels new and modern.”

“It doesn't feel as serious as the old logo; it makes me feel like I went from going to a well respected college to a community college trying to be all cool.”

This selection of responses brings up some excellent points about the physical design of the logo. While the large ‘U’ does distinguish our logo from the other Union’s, it doesn’t seem to fit well with the rest of the logo. However, this logo does have a newer, more modern look to it which could be good moving forward. Next week we will look at some more responses to the new logo.

Jade Covel is a senior

religion major from

Topeka, Kan.