For the past two decades, SVA’s visual identity has been anchored by a symbol many people know simply as “the flower”: a blossom made up of brushstrokes created by veteran designer George Tscherny in 1997 for the College’s 50th anniversary. This month sees the latest evolution of the SVA logo, with a fresh look for the flower.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The new mark’s painterly quality pays tribute to Tscherny’s original art, in keeping with the hands-on experience that defines an SVA education. There’s also a new signature, simplified to just “SVA” and set in Brevia type. Meanwhile, the introduction of “NYC” reflects the strong link that exists between New York City and the College, where the faculty are among the city’s leading creative professionals.
When it came to bringing all the elements together, SVA’s Michael Walsh, director of design and digital media, put the challenge this way: “It needs to look good and be useful for both the tiniest of spaces as well as many feet high on the side of a building.” Of the choice of Brevia, he cited its “boldness, simplicity, readability and a subtle quirkiness.”
To celebrate the bond between SVA and New York City, the SVA Design Studio produced a lighthearted video in which the logo is unleashed on Manhattan, with a special appearance by the city’s biggest-ever resident.
In reality, the flower was unleashed on the city earlier this month with the publication of the 2014-2015 Graduate Catalog and Fall 2013 Continuing Education Bulletin.
