Opinion BY Armin

Old Arrow for New Leaders

Established in 2000, New Leaders (formerly New Leaders for New Schools) is a nonprofit organization that “develops transformational leaders for high-need schools and promotes the system-level policies and practices that allows strong leaders to succeed.” New Leaders runs its training programs in 12 urban areas throughout the US. In the last ten years, New Leaders has prepared almost 800 educators through a variety of their programs like the Emerging Leaders Program, Aspiring Principals Program, and the Principal Institute. In September New Leaders introduced a new identity, designed by Chermayeff & Geismar, to reflect their name change. Disclosure for whatever it’s worth: While at Pentagram and later as UnderConsideration I did collateral material work for New Leaders, 6 and 4 years ago respectively.

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Opinion BY John J Custer

I’m With…

Formerly known as Polytechnic South West until 1992, Plymouth University is the ninth largest university in the UK, with a student body reaching just over 30,000 students along with 3,000 faculty and staff members. In June of this year, Plymouth University launched its new identity, “With Plymouth University,” designed jointly by here design and Buddy.

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A B-Side BY Armin

Hogeschool Inholland

Hogeschool Inholland (Inholland University of Applied Sciences) is a vocational university with eight locations across The Netherlands with more than 37,000 employees. A new logo and identity were designed by Studio Dumbar. A groovy intro video to Inholland below (or after the jump).

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A B-Side BY Armin

Intrax

Established in 1980, Intrax is “a globally-oriented company that provides a lifetime of high quality educational, work and volunteer programs that connect people and cultures.” A new logo designed by MetaDesign rolled out earlier this year. From the press release: “The logo features a customized typeface with distinct inflections that demonstrate ‘connections.’ The most prominent feature of the logo is the letter ‘x,’ from which an arrow shape has been derived and assigned a complementary color. This arrow symbolizes the personal and professional direction, as well as the forward-looking outlook, that Intrax program participants gain.” More application images here.

A B-Side BY Armin

University of San Francisco

Founded in 1855, the University of San Francisco is “one of only 28 Jesuit Catholic colleges in the country and the oldest university in San Francisco” with under 10,000 students enrolled. A new logo was introduced in August, designed by Studio Hinrichs. “The cross formed in the center of the refreshed symbol represents University’s Jesuit Catholic identity. The arrows point both outward and inward reflecting the ongoing dialogue and engagement between the university and society.” Press release here.

Thanks to JMarc Nijborg for the tip.

A B-Side BY Armin

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Established in 1869, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, a public higher education institution, has more than 20,000 total enrolled students. Earlier this month they introduced a new identity designed by Chicago, IL-based Lipman Hearne. A page dedicated to the new branding is here.

Thanks to Dan Reedy for first tip.

A B-Side BY Armin

Charles Sturt University

Established in 1989, Charles Sturt University has close to 36,000 students enrolled across various campuses in Australia. It offers undegraduate, graduate and postgraduate degrees and has a good offering of distance learning options. A new identity was released last month.

Thanks to Edward Kindred for the tip.

Opinion BY Armin

OCAD U, All New

Founded in 1876, OCAD University is Canada’s largest art and design institution, located in Toronto, Ontario. Formerly known as Ontario College of Art and Design, the school changed its name in 2007 to OCAD University when it received degree-granting status. Despite the “C” in the name still standing for “College” the acronym was kept as it had substantial equity and recognition. In 2004, OCAD University moved into its new campus, a radical structure designed by Alsop Architects that looks like a cross between a crossword puzzle and those super tall robots from War of the Worlds, with some color sprinkled for good measure. It may sound like a jab at the building, but the thing is truly jaw-dropping when you are standing below it. Anyway. Last night, at the 96th Annual Graduate Exhibition, the school unveiled a new identity, created by Toronto-based Bruce Mau Design (BMD), as well as another slight name change, to OCAD U.

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Opinion BY Armin

There is no “i” in Thnk. Seriously, there isn’t.

Launched this year, with the first class beginning in 2012, the THNK Creative Leadership Program at THNK, The Amsterdam School of Creative Leadership is a post-graduate program designed to “provoke and inspire professionals, entrepreneurs and scientists into becoming the world’s next creative leaders.” Limited to 30 participants the program runs for a whole year with one month of “basic training” off campus, four months of “intensive training” on campus, and five months of “acceleration program” off campus. Tuition is €43,000 (US$63,000). An identity for the school has been created by Amsterdam-based Lava.

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Opinion BY Armin

Public School Library is all Buzz and no Bees

Sorry for the late start this morning. My two girls were up at 5:30 am (which is prime Brand New writing time) and then I had to play some early morning basketball. But speaking about kids… Today we are going super local and small because super local and small clients need super design too. Public School 9 (PS9) and Middle School 571 (MS571) in the Prospect Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn recently opened the doors to their new library (where there was none before) after being spearheaded by parents of the school’s kids. They nicknamed the library the Book Hive, with the furniture inspired by bee hives with cute reading benches in hexagon shapes. Brooklyn-based The Rich Greco created the identity for the library. When the Book Hive opened in November of last year, the school had no budget for a librarian so it remained closed and to add insult to injury the New York City Department of Education is planning to close MS571 and place a charter school in their place. So, for the kids, here is a pretty identity (where there was none before).

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