How the UNT brand was made

NT80 · August 16, 2005

August 15, 2005

DENTON (UNT), Texas -- The University of North Texas is offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of UNT's updated brand and new marks during an exhibit starting Aug. 29.

The designers of the new, sleek eagle and the distinctive university logo will display hundreds of ever-changing sketches they created during the branding process.

The exhibit runs Aug. 29 (Monday) – Sept. 8 (Thursday) in the Union Gallery in the University Union, one block west of Welch and West Prairie streets. An opening reception will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 30 (Tuesday). Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

The updated brand – including a brighter shade of green, new eagle symbols and the tagline "Discover the power of ideas" – was unveiled in April. The new look is designed to capture the university's unique personality while preserving its traditions.

The exhibit was organized by two branding design team members -- Eric Ligon, associate professor of visual arts, and Keith Owens, assistant professor of visual arts. Other design team members were team leader Diana Bracken, UNT's creative director; and professional designers Kyle Poff and Kris Murphy, both graduates of UNT's communication design program.

Designing UNT's new brand was a rewarding challenge, said Owens, who has worked as a designer in Dallas, Houston and San Francisco.

"It is always difficult to balance the various institutional and political interests associated with large-scale institutional change," he said. "It's rewarding in that the design team was able to arrive at a dynamic, visually memorable identity system for the university."

For gallery or exhibit information, call (940) 565-3829. For more information about the branding design, visit www.unt.edu/branding.