Photos: Cambrian College has unveiled a new brand identity, including a new logo. The two twisting shields represent innovation and the understanding and new perspectives that come with education. They also bear a likeness to the two “C” letters in the college’s name. The shield also pays homage to the Canadian Shield upon which Cambrian is situated. The flame represents enlightenment, as education enlightens the mind and illuminates a path toward a meaningful career. The flame is also a tribute to Cambrian’s former dragon head icon. Photos provided
By Rosalind Russell – For a large part of its 57-year history, a stylized dragon head has been the logo of Cambrian College. College President Kristine Morrissey says during that time, Cambrian has grown from a community college into a global institution with a strong emphasis on innovation, new programs, flexible learning, and applied research.
To reflect that change, she says Cambrian has unveiled a new brand to better reflect how the college has evolved with a new logo featuring two stylized letter Cs, forming the shape of a shield representing innovation and the understanding and new perspectives that come with education.
The unveiling took place last week.
The flame represents enlightenment, as education enlightens the mind and illuminates a path toward a meaningful career, both of which are central to Cambrian’s mission and brand promise. The flame is also connected to the college’s official Coat of Arms and contains a tribute to the former dragon head logo.
Cambrian’s new logo retains the colours of burgundy and gold, which are distinctive among Ontario’s colleges and a connection to Cambrian’s history.
“The dragon head was a very unique logo and has served us well,” says Morrissey. “However, the feedback we received from staff, students and external stakeholders was that our brand and visual identity needed to be modernized to reflect how we have evolved as an institution. The logo is a modern yet timeless design. It is simple, easy to understand, approachable, and rooted in the north and our history with a global appeal. It symbolizes our present and future while honouring our past. Most importantly, our students, staff and partners loved it when we released it internally!”
Accessibility was also an important factor in designing Cambrian’s new brand.
“In keeping with the vision of our strategic plan, the new brand supports our efforts to modernize the college across physical and digital spaces to always provide the same amazing Cambrian experience, no matter where or how you connect with us,” adds Renée Scott, Cambrian’s Director of Marketing, Recruitment and Student Success.
“This new logo and wordmark are designed specifically for the digital age. It is easier to use across digital platforms. The symbols are easier to understand, and the lettering is easier to read, which are also key for accessibility. The new font enhances our ability to reach our global audiences as it can be used for translating text into more than 100 other languages. As we prepare to face opportunities and challenges ahead, the time for our rebrand is both right and necessary to better reflect who we are, what we value and what we have to offer. “
The refreshed brand does not mean Cambrian is retiring its dragon motif. Burnie the Dragon will remain the college’s official mascot.
Learn more about Cambrian College’s new brand at www.cambriancollege.ca/brand.
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