From its earliest meetings in 2013, the Queen’s 175th anniversary executive committee identified the need for a visual identity to represent the celebration during the 2016-17 academic year. Through its discussions with the 175th advisory committee and other stakeholders, the committee members knew they wanted a look that invoked the past but also looked to the future, two key elements of any successful anniversary celebration.  

University Marketing got to work on the task, developing three options that they shared with the executive committee and senior administration. In nearly every presentation, people instantly gravitated toward one design above all others.

“I think University Marketing nailed it,” says David Walker, chair of the 175th anniversary executive committee. “The visual identity and the accompanying logo grab you right away. As you would expect with any Queen’s visual identity, the tricolour element is front and centre, but this time with a unique and fresh take.”

The gold, blue and red of Queen’s colours blend into different hues, symbolizing Queen’s faculty, staff, students and alumni coming together for 175 years to push the limits and develop ideas that make a difference in the world. The bold lines of the design suggest a continuous movement forward from the past to the present and into the future.

The guide for using the Queen’s 175th anniversary visual identity, which is still under development, will make it easy for faculties, departments and groups to apply it to their communications vehicles and marketing activities.

“The strength of the visual identity is its versatility,” Dr. Walker adds. “In a few years, you might be walking along University Avenue lined with 175th anniversary banners and see our rugby teams wearing uniforms emblazoned with the same logo. The numerous possibilities are exciting.”

The recently launched Queen’s 175th anniversary website is one of the first communications vehicles to incorporate the visual identity. People can now visit www.queensu.ca/connect/175 to access general information about the anniversary and the groups involved in the planning process. As planning for the anniversary ramps up next year, the site will give people a venue to offer input, suggestions and advice. The website will expand to include multimedia stories about the 175th anniversary with the incorporation of social media.\

Queen’s 175th anniversary will launch in September 2016 and span the academic year. A mix of special events, new initiatives and existing activities will celebrate Queen’s unique legacy at the national and international level and contribute to the future vision of the university.