The University of Manitoba's on-campus branding project is a multi-phased initiative to bring the UM brand to life across our campuses. The goal was to create excitement and pride within the UM community, while reinforcing brand recognition. This project stemmed from the popular “What kind of Bison are you?” branding and aligned with a president-supported “Brand Together” initiative to share branding across the campus. Installations completed included three large-scale banners on the Administration building; a 70- by 8-ft. wall mural in a high-traffic underground tunnel; hoof prints and "herd" language on a stairway wall leading to a group of Bison graphics framing a busy elevator; and more than 100 banners on light poles along walkways and streets. Community feedback was extremely positive. People compared the installations to an art walk and included them on their social media posts.
From the Judges
This project was exceptionally unique and eye-catching. The judges agreed that the submission was both creative and bold, and they particularly praised the risk taken with the striking bison illustrations. The environmental components were dynamic and, more importantly, remarkably consistent across every aspect of the entry. The design carefully accounted for the physical environment and the spatial relationships between each piece of art. Ultimately, this cohesive execution demonstrated that the designer took the extra step to truly understand and master the complexity of the space.
