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Branding a new university in a world that never stays the same

The University of Suffolk is one of the newest universities in the UK. Formerly University Campus Suffolk, the institution recently gained independence and met the criteria for University Title. Only were commissioned to create a bold and progressive identity for the new University. The brand was to reference 'change' as a theme central to the institution's core proposition — that of a new university for a changing world.

Branding
Print
Strategy

The University of Suffolk is one of the newest universities in the UK. Formerly University Campus Suffolk, the institution recently gained independence and met the criteria for University Title. Only were commissioned to create a bold and progressive identity for the new University. The brand was to reference 'change' as a theme central to the institution's core proposition — that of a new university for a changing world.

Brief

The University of Suffolk is one of the newest universities in the UK. Formerly University Campus Suffolk, the institution recently gained independence and met the criteria for University Title. Only were commissioned to create a bold and progressive identity for the new University. The brand was to reference 'change' as a theme central to the institution's core proposition — that of a new university for a changing world.

Approach

Following extensive consultation with stakeholders, our priority became crafting a bold, contemporary and flexible system to accommodate the many faces of the University. A forward facing angle is used throughout the identity to reflect progressive change, and to create reference to the University's location in the South East of England within the logo itself. The device is paired with a modern palette and confident typographic applications. 

Outcome

The brand was met with near universal acclaim from staff, students and faculty. Whilst it is too early to gauge the full impact of the rebrand on the future of the University, anecdotal evidence from recruitment fairs has been positive. Following the rebrand we were commissioned to help deliver a suite of university prospectuses, wayfinding for the new Atrium building and recruitment campaigns for Clearing 2016 and 2017.

Testimonial

By the time Only presented the brand to our board and executive, we were so confident in both them and the visuals that they had designed, we left them to it. Astonishingly, our senior leaders loved the brand almost straight-away, and have since galvanised other key influencers around it. That this went so smoothly and achieved such immediate buy-in is testament to the professionalism and hard work of the team at Only.

Blair Campbell, Head of Marketing