According to Samuel Mays, founder of the design studio Freshpunch, the new East Tennessee State University logo has been created to promote the position of the university as a leader within the region. He chose the circular shape to represent the scope of the university, and to represent the university community working together within the broader community around it.
“Tradition, excellence and community” are words Mays uses to describe the new logo. The mountains were again used as a significant element, and “rays of light” were added to pinpoint the university’s unique location in the Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia mountains.
The logo was designed to work with the initials, ETSU, as well as the full name of the university, in a slightly more formal manner, allowing the logo to provide more information, especially when used outside the immediate region.Mays says the initials act as a link to past logos and provide a traditional element. The logo has been designed in one-, three-, and full-color versions, each of which has specific uses.
The various components within the logo are carefully placed to create a design which has a collegiate look and feel.
The refined shape of the mountains and fine rays of light are balanced by the large solids and come together to provide a logo that is “current and dynamic” without sacrificing the “timeless qualities” necessary for an institution such as ETSU.
Mays, a recent ETSU graduate and award-winning designer, has worked as an artist and designer in the community for several years. He says he is interested in promoting the arts and creative living through design, music, art events, publications, education, and artist representation.
For more information about Freshpunch, visit www.freshpunch.com.

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