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Published: 10 January 2002
Tilburg University presents new logo
Tilburg University gets a new face. On Monday, 7 January 2002, Yvonne van Rooy, president of Tilburg University, presented the new house style that will be on the university's stationery, sign posts, napkins and everything that has the old logo printed on it. The new logo replaces the old sign that consists of a red triangle with two red diagonal stripes and the university's name.
Wieneke Kok
The new logo contains the new Dutch name of Tilburg University. In September, it changes from Katholieke Universiteit Brabant to Universiteit van Tilburg. The logo shows the name and, in between, there is an emblem of the tree of knowledge which symbolizes not only that this university is a place of learning and research, but that it is also situated in a green environment. The two figures underneath the tree refer to unlocking the knowledge that is present (the one with the key) and the other figure carries a book that symbolizes wisdom.
Furthermore there are eight small blocks that form a circle around the tree, which is named the forum. They represent the academic community and the people that together make this university a place of openness, innovation and inspiration. Underneath the university's name there are the words Geïnspireerd vanuit de katholieke traditie (Inspired by the Catholic tradition). The Dutch logo has these extra words. The colours used are dark blue and bronze. The coming months, some fifty to sixty people are going to make an inventory of everything that needs the new name and logo on it by September. Furthermore, the new house style will bring about a more efficient use of office equipment. As from September, most of the stationery can be found at the intranet of the university website. This means you don't need stacks of paper, envelopes, etcetera in the cupboards anymore.
Tilburg University has with this logo chosen a classical, yet modern sign, according to Yvonne van Rooy during her presentation. "It shows that we respect the traditions we stem from. But also that we want to be inspiring and innovative and show that we are involved in today's society."
When brainstorming about the new house style, the international character and ambitions of Tilburg University played an important role. Therefore, the new logo strongly resem-bles the logos of internationally renowned academic institutions, such as Harvard University and the University of Oxford.
These institutions use their coat of arms in their logo. Because Tilburg University has no suitable coat of arms, the designing process eventually led to the tree of knowledge. "The university wanted a classical look, but not an old-fashioned look. It was difficult to make this mix of the modern and classical charisma of Tilburg University. But then again, designing is never easy", says Jos van der Zwaal, strategic manager of FutureBrand, the agency that is responsible for the new house style. "We used the tree of knowledge as a philosophical symbol. Because philosophy plays an important role in the education at this university. The tree refers to old icons and the blue blocks are the abstract symbols of the hands of the people that work together here. The blocks move round the tree as if they were the revolving opinions in the academic world. I think it has become a logo which illustrates self-assurance."
To put it in the words of Yvonne van Rooy, "Tilburg University is finally becoming a grown-up university."
[WK]
Send your reaction to:
univers@uvt.nl
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