In February, Karen, Sue and Sheila met with a team of graphic designers at the University of Johannesburg to brief them on the design of the SARiHE project logo. Ilhaam Khan, Chérie van der Westhuizen and Vaishalikumari Lad were all recent graduates of the University of Johannesburg and showed great enthusiasm for the design brief. We provided them with some background information on SARiHE and what we wanted the logo to convey – namely transitions from rural learning to higher education.
In a very short turnaround, the graphic designers produced a range of logo designs in different styles and colours, all of which would have been suitable. However, we were particularly impressed with the chosen design for its contemporary feel and because it clearly depicted elements of rurality and higher education – the image depicts books on a book shelf, foregrounded or encapsulated by rolling hills, which suggests that university learning is shaped by earlier learning practices. There is also a sense of movement and fluidity, suggesting transitions and negotiations. We also loved the colours – the green and grey tones evoke rural landscapes versus more institutional settings. All in all, the designers did a great job at interpreting the brief and producing an elegant and contemporary logo.
By Karen Desborough
