Quick note to say thanks to all of you who logged on to view the draft images and take the survey.

The survey, which I closed down this morning, garnered 438 responses -- confirmation that our students, alumni, faculty and staff are keenly interested in this process. In addition, 334 people who attended our series of forums on campus and in St. Louis completed paper surveys, giving us a total of 772 responses. We also took careful notes at the sessions and are busy compiling those comments, as well as those received here, on Facebook and via email, to help guide us as we move forward.

Following such an open process can be challenging, as everyone has an opinion about what, exactly, should constitute the future image of the university. Making the challenge even more complex is the fact that what we presented -- mere concepts -- can often be misinterpreted as some sort of "final round" of concepts. In fact, this was the first round of a complex and iterative design process. I know I've said it before -- here, and in other forums and conversations -- but it bears repeating. The four draft concepts were precisely that: conceptual drafts to be evaluated, dissected, critically appraised and discussed. Your comments on this blog, your participation in the online survey, and your email notes have been an important part of the process. Thank you.

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Ed Sirianno, our consultant from Creative Communications Associates, snapped a few photos of our Hit the Ground Running students during one of Thursday's presentations of graphic design concepts.

The HGR students are some of the best and brightest members of our entering freshman class. They gave us a lot of thoughtful ideas about the brand concepts we presented this week. More photos from our session with the Hit the Ground Running students are posted below.

In all, more than 300 students, alumni, faculty and staff attended the sessions on campus and in St. Louis, and hundreds more have viewed the concepts presented here. We've received a lot of input. Don't forget to view the concepts and give us your input by this Sunday, July 29. We'll allow comments on this entry after the survey expires. Note: the survey and images are no longer available.

Also, if you're looking for something to read this weekend, and while you're thinking about the future image of your university, here's an article that might provide food for thought: What Makes a Great Logo.

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Note: the survey is now over.

For those unable to attend the presentations of our design concepts (on campus today, tomorrow and Friday, as well as in sections of St. Louis), we provide thumbnail versions for your review in a PDF document (after the jump). Because we want your feedback, we've posted an online survey, which is also linked after the jump. The survey and image concepts will be available through the weekend. After Sunday, we will close the survey and tabulate the results for our Brand Identity Team's review. Also, as a precaution in our effort to make the process as objective as possible, we have temporarily disabled the comments section of this entry. Once the survey has run its course, we will enable the comment function (on Monday, July 30).

For more about the design concepts, read on.

About the design concepts

The team from Creative Communications Associates provided us with four concepts to consider. Even though we are early in our evolution from UMR to Missouri S&T, each of these concepts provides a distinct preview of the possibilities that lie ahead for the university. None of these concepts is a final product. Rather, each points toward a possible direction the university may choose to take in its graphic identity, which in turn helps to define the overall "brand" of the university. The brand, in turn, translates into how individuals experience the university.

So, the logo is not the "brand." The "brand" is what people think about when they think about the organization -- the sum total of their experience with it.

Having said all that, here are brief descriptions of each concept:

Concept 1: Aspire. This concept, designed to be elegant and show strength and character, is created from a classic typeface. The sense of the concept is continuity and completeness. Strong capital letters are used to deliver power to the word Missouri. The S&T add character and are carefully linked with the ampersand. The advantage of this concept is smart elegant design that is concise, delivering clarity of purpose.

Concept 2: Powerful. This is a bold and serious mark with sportive elements. It is a combination of dynamic and solidity. The word Missouri crests proudly above the boldly crafted S&T, which gives this mark strength, power, uniqueness, individuality and above all, style.

Concept 3: Elemental. This is a more geometric concept. It uses dynamic elements (a box and strong sans serif letters). Stylistically, the use of these elements evokes a scientific mission and reflects the periodic table. The accentual element (the ampersand) is placed and connected dynamically in the center of the letters “S” and “T”. The bold type lends an honest and straightforward tone that is neutral without being clinical, and authoritative without being impersonal.

Concept 4: Stabile. This mark is strong and elegant. It was created by modifying a classical typeface for the S&T element. The word Missouri delivers relevance, continuity and strength. There are elements or warmth and the design is deliberate in its energy to communicate joy. The advantage of this concept is the simplicity of the idea: strength, character and exceptional style.

So, on to the designs (PDF). Take a good look at them. Scoot back from your computer to get a sense of how they might look from a distance -- on a billboard or the side of a van, for instance. And then, please take the survey. We need your feedback.

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Name Change News: July 24, 2007

The latest news on the name change implementation, a day later than usual. Also available on the Name Change Conversations weblog: http://namechange.mst.edu .

In this issue:

Reminder: view graphic concepts tomorrow through Friday
If you can’t possibly be here…

Reminder: view graphic concepts tomorrow through Friday

We want to remind everyone who is on campus to stop by the Havener Center to see the brand identity concepts under development for Missouri S&T.

We also want to remind everyone that the graphic concepts we will unveil are precisely that. They are concepts – not final logos. Even though the materials may look like finished products, we are still early in the information-gathering phase. What we’re presenting this week are not intended to be final designs.

Anyway, here’s the schedule for the “unveiling” sessions. Please try to attend one if you can. We want to ensure that as many students, faculty and staff as possible get a chance to see the concepts and share their opinions.

Here’s the schedule:

• Wednesday, July 25, 10 a.m.-noon, Carver-Turner Room, Havener Center
• Wednesday, July 25, 4-6 p.m., Carver-Turner Room, Havener Center
• Thursday, July 26, 10 a.m.-noon, Carver-Turner Room, Havener Center
• Thursday, July 26, 4-6 p.m., Carver-Turner Room, Havener center
• Friday, July 27, 9 a.m.-noon, Communications Conference Room, 105 Campus Support Facility
• Friday, July 27, 1:30-4:30 p.m., Communications Conference Room, 105 Campus Support Facility

In addition, we’re providing students and alumni in St. Louis the opportunity to view the brand concepts. On Wednesday, we’re holding two public sessions in St. Louis – one around the lunch hour in St. Louis County and another in the evening in downtown St. Louis.

Here’s the schedule for the St. Louis sessions:

• Wednesday, July 25, 11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m. at Burns and McDonnell, 1630 Des Peres Road (at the intersection of Interstate 270 and I-44).
• Wednesday, July 25, 4:30-7 p.m., at Carmine’s, 20 S. Fourth St. (Fourth and Market streets), inside the Drury Plaza Hotel.

Any students, alumni or others in St. Louis on that date are encouraged to attend one of the sessions.

If you can’t possibly be here…

If you can’t be on campus or in St. Louis, we will also make the brand concepts available for online viewing. Concepts will be available via the Name Change Conversations weblog soon.

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Name Change News: July 17, 2007

The latest news on the name change implementation, a day later than usual. Also available on the Name Change Conversations weblog: http://namechange.mst.edu.

In this issue:

Sneak-peek images will be available for online viewing
Reminder: The Unveiling on campus July 25-27
St. Louis unveiling July 25

Sneak-peek images will be available for online viewing

You said you wanted to see logos online, and we heard.

Online versions of the draft concepts to be presented on campus next Wednesday-Friday, July 25-27, will also be made available for students, alumni, faculty and staff who won’t be in town to get a firsthand view of the materials.

Next week, we’ll post the web address for viewing the materials on the Name Change Conversations blog.

Reminder: The Unveiling on campus July 25-27

The big Unveiling (with a capital U) happens on campus July 25-27. That’s when Ed Sirianno of the firm Creative Communications Associates will be on campus to deliver three (or more) draft logos/wordmarks/brand identity concepts for your viewing pleasure. Ed will be here for two days, and we’re hanging on to the images for an extra day (Friday, July 27) just to give everyone more chances to take a look at the materials.

We’re holding a series of sessions to ensure as many students, faculty and staff as possible get a chance to see the concepts and share their opinions.

Here’s the schedule:

• Wednesday, July 25, 10 a.m.-noon, Carver-Turner Room, Havener Center
• Wednesday, July 25, 4-6 p.m., Carver-Turner Room, Havener Center
• Thursday, July 26, 10 a.m.-noon, Carver-Turner Room, Havener Center
• Thursday, July 26, 4-6 p.m., Carver-Turner Room, Havener center
• Friday, July 27, 9 a.m.-noon, Communications Conference Room, 105 Campus Support Facility
• Friday, July 27, 1:30-4:30 p.m., Communications Conference Room, 105 Campus Support Facility

That’s six opportunities for viewing. We’ll also give everyone an opportunity to provide feedback to Ed and the Brand Identity. If you have any questions about the unveiling, please contact Andrew Careaga, Brand Identity Team chair, at acareaga AT umr DOT edu.

St. Louis unveiling July 25

In our quest to share as much information as possible about how we’re developing Missouri S&T’s brand identity, we’re taking a set of the aforementioned brand concepts on the road. We’re holding two sessions in St. Louis – one around the lunch hour in St. Louis County and another in the evening in downtown St. Louis.

Here’s the schedule for the St. Louis sessions:

• Wednesday, July 25, 11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m. at Burns and McDonnell, 1630 Des Peres Road (at the intersection of Interstate 270 and I-44).
• Wednesday, July 25, 4:30-7 p.m., at Carmine’s, 20 S. Fourth St. (Fourth and Market streets), inside the Drury Plaza Hotel.

Any students, alumni or others in St. Louis on that date are encouraged to attend one of the sessions.

Thanks for reading.

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When you tune in to 88.5 FM on your radio dial on Monday, you'll find that UMR's public radio station, KUMR, will have new call letters. Public Radio KMST will officially launch at 12:01 a.m. Central Time Monday, July 16. The station's new name will better reflect its relationship with the university soon to be known as Missouri S&T.

“Our name may be different, but KMST will still be the same station our listeners depend on for National Public Radio news and features and great local shows like Bluegrass for a Saturday Night and Sounds Eclectic," says KUMR General Manager Jim Sigler (story).

In a couple of hours (at 7 p.m.), Jim and I will discuss the radio and university name change in a call-in program. Tune in at www.kumr.org to listen live, or check 88.5 FM (96.3 FM if you're in Lebanon, Mo.).

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Name Change News: July 11, 2007

The latest news on the name change implementation, a day later than usual. Also available on the Name Change Conversations weblog: http://namechange.mst.edu .

In this issue:

The Unveiling: a sneak peek at “logo” designs July 25-27
A “logo” road show
These are concepts, not final
Welcome newest team members

The Unveiling: a sneak peek at “logo” designs July 25-27

Some graphic designers might scold us for our imprecise use of the term “logo,” which is why we put it in quotes in the headline (and here). But we want to get your attention to tell you more about the upcoming “unveiling” of three Missouri S&T brand identity concepts, and we think “logo” is a more familiar term than “brand identity concept.”

Anyway, Ed Sirianno of the firm Creative Communications Associates will be on campus July 25-26 to unveil three draft logos/wordmarks/brand identity concepts for your viewing pleasure. And we’re hanging on to the images for an extra day (Friday, July 27) just to give everyone more chances to take a look at the materials.

The brand identity concepts to be presented might be logos, they might be wordmarks, they might be some combination. They might include taglines. We’re pretty sure none of them will look like this.

We’re holding a series of sessions to ensure as many students, faculty and staff as possible get a chance to see the concepts and share their opinions.

Here’s the schedule:

• Wednesday, July 25, 10 a.m.-noon, Carver-Turner Room, Havener Center
• Wednesday, July 25, 4-6 p.m., Carver-Turner Room, Havener Center
• Thursday, July 26, 10 a.m.-noon, Carver-Turner Room, Havener Center
• Thursday, July 26, 4-6 p.m., Carver-Turner Room, Havener center
• Friday, July 27, 9 a.m.-noon, Communications Conference Room, 105 Campus Support Facility
• Friday, July 27, 1:30-4:30 p.m., Communications Conference Room, 105 Campus Support Facility

That’s six opportunities for viewing. We’ll also give everyone an opportunity to provide feedback to Ed and the Brand Identity Team. In addition, we’re looking into a way to securely share the images online. But we’re hesitant to do so because we don’t want anyone to lift one of the concepts and misuse it. Not that any of you would. But we’d hate to see a bunch of bootleg T-shirts with any of the three concepts being sold on the streets on Rolla during Orientation Week.

If you have any questions about the unveiling, please contact Andrew Careaga, Brand Identity Team chair, at acareaga AT umr DOT edu .

A “logo” road show

In our quest to share as much information as possible about how we’re developing Missouri S&T’s brand identity, we’re taking a set of the aforementioned brand concepts on the road. Marianne Ward, director of alumni relations, plans to show off the concepts at various venues in St. Louis – home to about one-third of our alumni and many current students, including several co-oping this summer. She plans to present the materials in St. Louis on July 25 and 26, the same dates as The Unveiling on campus. And just as at The Unveiling, participants will have the opportunity to offer input about the concepts.

These are concepts, not final

Please remember that these logos, wordmarks, brand concepts – whatever you want to call them – are concepts at this stage. They are not final. After the Unveiling, we (the Brand Identity Team) plan to analyze the input received from the campus community, then refine the concepts (or concept, if we can narrow it down to one) and test them (or it) with students and others early in the semester. So, what you see at The Unveiling will in no way be the final product.

Welcome newest team members

Our merry band of Brand Identity Team members continues to grow. Two new student members and three new faculty members will help us get the word out – and get input from these important groups.

Newest members of the team are:

Jacob Sherry, RHA co-chair
Paul Voss, St. Pat’s and Student Union Board rep
K.M. Isaac, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering
Morris Kalliny, assistant professor of marketing and international business
Paul Worsey, professor of mining engineering

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Name Change News: July 3, 2007

Welcome to the latest in a series of occasional updates on the name change implementation. We hope to share updates on the process every Tuesday – but just in case we miss the mark by a day, be sure to visit the Name Change Conversations weblog at http://namechange.mst.edu for more information and updates.

In this issue:

Draft brand concepts to be unveiled July 25-26
Welcome newest team member, Thulasi Kumar

Draft brand concepts to be unveiled July 25-26

Last week, we told you that the three draft brand identity concepts will be unveiled Wednesday, July 25, at a campuswide session. Now that we have more detailed information and travel schedules in place, we can tell you that you’ll have more than one opportunity to view the creative concepts. We plan to schedule morning and afternoon drop-in sessions for both Wednesday, July 25, and Thursday, July 26. More details will be available in next week’s newsletter.

The brand identity consulting team of SimpsonScarborough/Creative Communications Associates will be on hand at the unveiling, as will members of the UMR/Missouri S&T Brand Identity Team. The forum will provide an opportunity for the campus community to offer input into the process of developing final identity materials, such as a logo or word mark, tagline, graphic templates and other related items.

Welcome newest team member, Thulasi Kumar

Thulasi Kumar, UMR’s new director of institutional research, is the Brand Identity Team’s newest member. Please welcome Kumar to the team, and to campus.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday.

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