An early version of the University’s new logo began hitting browsers this summer. This photo was posted on the GW Hoops fan site in July.
A version of the University’s much-hyped new logo that will be officially unveiled Sunday has been circulating online.
The redesigned seal, posted on the men’s basketball message board GWHoops.com, features a right-facing, sepia-toned George Washington and the University’s name written in a sans serif font – matching a description provided by the agencies that engineered the logo.
The same image was shown at the visual identity townhall this March – where photography was banned – that drew just a handful of students and about 100 faculty and staff members to critique the new logo. The design has been kept under wraps throughout the two-year project.
University spokeswoman Michelle Sherrard said the image posted by a GW Hoops user was “an early draft,” and encouraged members of the community to attend the official launch on Aug. 26 at 7 p.m in University Yard. She said she did not know how the Hoops user obtained a digital copy of the image.
Other organizations and companies that hired the same high-profile firms, FutureBrand and 160over90, for rebranding work paid top dollar for new logos. Sherrard declined to release the cost of the rebranding campaign, as University officials have throughout the project.
Michigan State University paid 160over90 $478,000 for its rebranding effort in 2010, according to its student newspaper, The State News.
It looks hideous, what a joke
I like it a lot.
Looks good.
I hate it
huge improvement over the last one
george looks unapproachable and snobby otherwise it’s not too bad
I think it’s actually pretty good. It definitely feels more modern than the existing logo, which was outdated.
It’s awful..and an awful waste of money. Thanks for posting this early, though, and ruining some of the efforts to increase hype with an obnoxious unveiling!
Why not make it a contest for students to make the new logo next time with a 1k prize. Saves endless money, gets a better logo, and might actually get some sort of school spirit going
I think everyone is missing the most important part . . . this thing took TWO YEARS to come up with?! Is that where the money is going? Don’t we have students and professors that can make something like this in an afternoon using Adobe?
It’s really striking that as the University doesn’t release the cost of the rebranding project, we have an article in the Hatchet about a student denied emergency funds for tuition and then is forced to transfer. GW has its priorities fully set on making money, not supporting students.
thanks for posting this early, hatchet, and blowing up gw’s spot. it was stupid of them to try to hide it for the past 6 months. in terms of a critique: the simplification of the colors is good, although sepia was not a good choice; a buff and blue two-toned shade would have been better. george also looks too snobish; it’s as if his nose is upturned and he’s too good to look at the camera. but, pretending to be better than everyone else is what gw is all about…
hahahahhaha 2 years?!