Fort Wayne Community Schools has unveiled its new logo. Created by the Asher Agency, it is "not intended to be a literal depiction of anything specific, but instead symbolizes FWCS' position as a strong, progressive school system. That being said, the logo -- with four bars in green, orange, brown and blue and the district's initials -- may remind people of books, the buildings in an urban landscape or pillars of success." To me, they just look like geometric shapes. It's an attractive enough logo, but if "is not intended to be a literal depiction of anything," what's the point?
The previous logo is, admittedly old-fashioned looking, but, with its lamp of knowledge, it at least did stand for something. Maybe I'm just an old fuddy-duddy who likes the old logo because I've seen it for so long and gotten used to it. But I have to agree with Mitch Harper:
As an educational institution, it is probably right and proper that it have a logo that ties together all the disparate functions across the school district. Certainly, its current logo is dated and lacks the graphic strength a good logo should possess.
On the other hand, unless Fort Wayne Community Schools is also undertaking steps to truly rebrand, the new logo may be seen as appearance of change and not symbolizing the substance of change.
Seems more symbolism than substance to me. What do you think?
Comments
Where's the Beef? Certainly symbolism rules over the substantive matters FWCS is paid handsomely to deliver, and fail to do.
Anthony Juliano offers a great question. Just how much did the District pay for the new logo?
The best use of District taxpayer dollars is to conduct a comprehensive evalation of FWCS's current superintendent.
Joe:
That question was asked by Tim Zank, not me.
And to your statement on FWOb, "what this community [really] needs" is is a more positive conversation about what we can do to give FWCS students the best possible academic environment.
Ranking right behind the new FWCS logo design costs and accompanying new sign and stationery expense is the flashing electronic signs present at each school which had to have been costly and require maintenance and electricity 24/7.
Taxpayers are greeted by the Snider sign on Reed with the generic equivalent of the "We Are Marshall" cheer (and I am not making this up, because it says): "We are your school."
Enlightenment does not start in our school system! Thanks FWCS.
Gadfly "gets it" when making the reference to enlightenment not starting in our school systems.
SOME viable FAMILY LIFE is also an extremely important part of ANY child's learning processes.
And that's where the kids are failing mostly...at HOME.
I would ask anyone how that impacts on a student's learning curve.
Any school cannot with good conscience believe that they can UNDO all that occurs outside the "hallowed halls", yet try they do.
I touched on some of the same things today on my blog.
Family AND school...not family "vs" school.
Can't have it BOTH ways.
B.G.
I think the new FWCS logo is strong. After all, that design has worked for years for Asher Agency.
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4397/asherfwcslv3.jpg
Local web, yeah thats what I notice yesterday afternoon!
http://fetcho.blogspot.com/2008/01/fwcs-new-logo.html