HSU Releases New University and Spirit Logos

(Abilene, Texas) HSU has introduced a new set of visual identities designed to help it achieve the HSU2020 strategic goal of unified visual branding.
 
Approved by the HSU Board of Trustees, the logos are the result of more than 24 months of extensive research and collaborative creative development. Working closely with Zachry Associates, a national advertising firm with clients including Texas Tech, United Supermarkets, Buckner, and Boeing, HSU was able to realize a new set of visual identities designed to pay homage to its western heritage while clearly exemplifying the academic credibility and Christian values upon which the university is founded.

The logos were formally presented to the Faculty Senate and the Student Government Association in April.
 
While this project was initiated in an effort to achieve HSU2020 strategic goals, research based on a scientific sampling of more than 1,000 individuals comprised of faculty, staff, students, alumni, prospective students, and donors revealed an average of only 21.7% of respondents responded favorably to any of the three previous logos used by the university.
 
The new university logo with the shield is designed to replace the Hardin-Simmons wordmark. The addition of the shield is perhaps the most significant change, and includes a number of graphic elements designed to timelessly reflect both HSU’s heritage and future. Among these are the two intersecting lines in the foreground designed to represent the intersection of “education” and “faith”; the spiritual commitment of our community through the shield (faith) container and a centrally-located image of the HSU’s Logsdon Chapel; and beaming “rays of hope in the western sky” in the background reflecting HSU’s founder’s desire to be a beacon of Christian higher education in the west.
 
Similarly, the new athletics/spirit logo will replace both the block HSU and interlocking HSU visuals previously used in a number of applications. The image of a horse and rider has been a historical representation of the HSU nickname and the new iteration – with the rider leaning forward on the horse with lasso in hand moving toward his/her goal with purpose – will provide a great asset for capturing the energy and spirit of athletic teams and the HSU campus.

A style guide regarding usage of the logos will be distributed by the University Relations office in upcoming weeks.