Like the Ivy League University badge, the Yale logo is very simple. However, small details demonstrate style, while simplicity and conciseness symbolize rigor and a businesslike approach. The emblem makes it clear that training is paramount here.
Yale: Brand overview
Meaning and History
This institution of higher education originated from the Act for Liberty to Erect a Collegiate School, approved by the General Court of the Colony of Connecticut. This happened in October 1701, intending to train the clergy and secular leadership of the state. The founders included many people, including Samuel Andrew, Samuel Mather, Israel Chauncy, Thomas Buckingham, and many others. James Pierpont headed the group.
The institute was initially based in the home of the first president of Yale University, Abraham Pierson, who lived in Killingworth (now Clinton). Then, the educational institution was moved to Saybrook and later to Wethersfield. In 1716, this educational institution appeared in New Haven, Connecticut.
What is Yale?
This is one of the world’s most prestigious private research institutions, renowned for its respected law, management, and drama schools. It is located in New Haven, Connecticut, and offers a unique educational experience through its 14 residential colleges, where students live and study in a close-knit community. Its unique features include a rich cultural base, a repertory theater, an art gallery, and a center for British art. The library system holds 15 million volumes and preserves rare documents and antiquities. The Bulldogs athletic teams compete in the Ivy League, and the longstanding rivalry with Harvard remains one of the oldest in American sports, especially in football and rowing.
To adequately settle in a new place, the priest Cotton Mather, at the insistence of the leadership (the rector of the university, Samuel Andrew, or the governor of the colony, Gurdon Saltonstall), turned to the successful Boston businessman Elihu Yale with a request, to help in the construction of the new building. He, in turn, provided them with nine bales of goods, which were sold for 560 pounds sterling, making it possible to build the main building. At the same time, Cotton Mather proposed to name the university in honor of the sponsor, Yale College.
The Yale University crest comprises three key components of immense importance to the institution. The open book is not only a symbol of enlightenment. Some researchers see in her an image associated with theology and church clergy who founded the university. They assume it is a Bible open to a page with an important message to posterity. The inscription is in Hebrew.
The background of the white and yellow book is a dark blue shield of the correct shape: an even top and a narrowed bottom. Along the edge, it is outlined with a black stripe that runs along the contour. Below is a tape with bifurcated ends and a Latin dictum, “Lux et Veritas.” This is the motto of the university. Some strings were used to seal paper editions on both sides of the book.
The modern emblem of Yale University contains part of its name, the first word. It has classic printed characters, straight lines, and miniature serifs. But “A” is different from the usual version. Its central part is not completely round but slightly cut diagonally. “E” has an overly large bottom and a disproportionately small top. The inscription is made in the form of a combination of one uppercase and three lowercase letters.
Font and Colors
The identity of the oldest university in the United States contains iconic elements that reflect the history of its origin. But sports symbols are more modern and have nothing to do with legendary images. It is dominated by the bulldog, which appeared thanks to the sports department of the Yale Bulldogs. The last logo was nicknamed Y-Dog.
The original typeface is called Yale. It was designed by Matthew Carter, an art professor, using the oldest typeface, De Aetna. Its author is Francesco Griffo, who created the typeface back in 1495. In 2014, the university completely overhauled its typography, and Carter & Cone introduced an updated set of Yale fonts in the OpenType standard. This format has replaced the outdated PostScript Type 1. Now, the family of university typefaces consists of almost 30 variants.
In addition, the school has a color – Yale Blue. It is available in two shades: spot and triad. Introduced in the late 1800s, it is now found in all identity signs. Typically, a logo combines blue with white. Some emblems and coats of arms are also black and yellow.
Pennant Yale University logo