Iowa State University Logo PNG
The Iowa State University logo is full of love for knowledge. The emblem shows energy, constant hard work, and dedication to one’s work. This characterizes the university from the best side and attracts new students.
Iowa State University: Brand overview
Meaning and History
Before it became a full-fledged university, the institution was called the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm. That was the name given to it when it was founded in 1856 when the Iowa General Assembly signed an ordinance. However, the official opening did not take place until 1858. The buildings were under construction on farmland covering 648 acres until that time. The university has developed infrastructure with many buildings, including architectural and historical masterpieces.
Unlike the seal, the university emblem has no graphic elements, so it is textual and consists only of the name of the institution of higher education. The inscription occupies two lines: “Iowa State” at the top and “University” at the bottom. The words are in uppercase serif type. All the characters are separate except for the “V.” It is connected to the adjacent characters, “I” and “E.”
What is Iowa State?
This large public research institution in Ames, Iowa, is known for its design, engineering, veterinary medicine, and agriculture expertise. The university has eight colleges and offers over 100 academic programs, with particular strengths in computer science, agronomy, and aerospace engineering. A unique feature of this institution is its close ties with the state’s industry and agriculture, providing students with extensive opportunities for hands-on learning and research. The university is also renowned for its vibrant student life. It features diverse cultural events, numerous student groups, and an athletic tradition represented by the Cyclones teams, who compete successfully in the Big 12 Conference.
The seal
The academic seal is circular and has several concentric rings of different widths. This makes it look like a vinyl record with soundtracks and a label. A laurel wreath is in the middle of the university sign, joined at the bottom. It has six paired leaves on each side and one on the top. It surrounds a motto written in English, “Science with Practice.” This is followed by five thin white stripes, followed by the abbreviated name of the university and the phrase “Of Science and Technology. To the right and left, they are separated by five-pointed stars. The inscriptions are serif on the inside and chopped on the outside.
Iowa State University: Interesting Facts
Iowa State University (ISU) in Ames, Iowa, has a rich past and many unique features.
- Land-Grant Trailblazer: Opened in 1869, ISU was the first university established under the Morrill Act, which aimed to promote education in agriculture, mechanics, and military tactics.
- Birthplace of the Digital Age: Professor John Vincent Atanasoff and Clifford Berry created the Atanasoff-Berry Computer, a key step towards the modern computer, between 1937 and 1942.
- Agricultural Excellence: True to its land-grant roots, ISU excels in agriculture, managing research farms statewide that advance farming science and innovation.
- Veishea Tradition: Until 2014, ISU hosted Veishea, one of the biggest student-run festivals named after its original colleges. It was stopped for safety reasons.
- Cyclone Spirit: Though nicknamed the Cyclones, ISU’s mascot is Cy the Cardinal, a name inspired by a whirlwind football performance in 1895.
- Scientific Breakthroughs: ISU researchers have made notable advances in computer science and plant genetics, influencing fields worldwide.
- Sustainable Campus: ISU is recognized for sustainability efforts, from energy conservation to promoting alternative transport, not to mention its scenic campus and public art.
- Notable Alumni: Graduates include George Washington Carver, an influential scientist, and Carrie Chapman Catt, a key figure in the women’s suffrage movement.
- Reiman Gardens: This 17-acre campus garden boasts a butterfly house, thousands of tulips, and themed gardens.
- Space Exploration: ISU has ties to space exploration, with alumni becoming NASA astronauts and faculty contributing to space research, including Mars Rover projects.
Iowa State University’s mix of historical depth, academic strength, and dedication to research and innovation marks it as a distinguished institution in U.S. higher education.
Font and Colors
The Iowa State University identity is united by a common color palette, predominantly burgundy. Otherwise, the signs differ completely in style, shape, and components.
The logos use two types of typefaces: ITC Berkeley Old Style (grotesque) and Univers (serif design). According to university regulations, they go well together. The official colors of the emblems are Cardinal red and Gold yellow. The university uses them in all of its visual identity signs.