| Logos are usually thought of as existing primarily in the | | | | Penn State is a public university while Harvard and MIT |
| business world but in actuality most organizations of | | | | are private. Harvard is the oldest and most respected |
| any kind have some type of identity. Major Educational | | | | academic institution in the United States while Penn |
| institutions all have a company image. Since they are | | | | State is one of the better Public Universities. MIT is |
| not for profit organizations, are there different principles | | | | considered by many to be the premier technological |
| of logo design applying to them? | | | | University in the entire world. MIT"s graphic appears to |
| Absolutely not. Logos are intended to convey a sense | | | | reflect the bold and dramatic improvements one would |
| of the organization and what it stands for and | | | | expect from technological innovation. They turned the |
| Educational Institutions are no exception. Traditional and | | | | letters "MIT" into its own graphic image with the use of |
| conservative Universities, Colleges, and Preparatory | | | | a series of thick rectangles put together to form the |
| Academies should have an identity that reflect their | | | | three letters. It looks at first glance like a graphic but |
| values. On the other hand, Online Universities, Junior | | | | the text becomes apparent quickly. Colors are limited |
| Colleges, and Technical Colleges should design logos | | | | to two, red and grey. |
| that reflect their perhaps more practical and pragmatic | | | | Harvard and Penn State both use a shield as a |
| values and approaches to education. | | | | graphic image; Harvard's in a bold red and Penn |
| Design Principle | | | | State's in a somewhat less bold blue. Penn State's |
| The design principle of simplicity leading to functionality | | | | includes their date of origin -- 1855 -- while Harvard's |
| is even more evident with major Educational institutions. | | | | does not. Harvard doesn't need to reassure anybody |
| Functionality means the logo can be used in a variety | | | | while Penn State is stating it has been around long |
| of applications without losing its impact and inherent | | | | enough to be trustworthy. Harvard's logo has the Latin |
| meaning. Visit the campus bookstore at any | | | | word for truth -- Veritas -- broken up and appearing in |
| educational institution and you'll see the University or | | | | three books on the shield. In a very interesting twist, |
| College identity everywhere. Shirts, pants, hats, | | | | Penn State's shield includes an image of the school's |
| dishware, pencils, poster, stationery, even on rolls of | | | | athletic mascot -- the Nittany Lion -- sitting at the top |
| toilet paper! The values of an educational institution can | | | | of the shield. Sports are an important part of Public |
| sometimes be easier to reflect than those of a for | | | | Universities and Penn State is reminding us of that fact. |
| profit corporation so let's compare the logos of three | | | | Harvard, on the other hand, is more about seeking truth |
| major American universities. We will discuss the image | | | | than it is about scoring touchdowns! All three are |
| of Penn State University, Harvard University, and the | | | | excellent examples of what a logo is supposed to do: |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). | | | | convey a feeling about the institution they represent. |
| Examples of Educational Logos | | | | |