Symbol Marks are an important factor showing identity of colleges and university. As a factor to delivering visual image of identity, images of symbol marks have been changed by social environments and economic growth and consequently formative charac...
Symbol Marks are an important factor showing identity of colleges and university. As a factor to delivering visual image of identity, images of symbol marks have been changed by social environments and economic growth and consequently formative characteristics of symbol marks are being changed. Trends of symbol marks can be divided into factors of social changes in symbol marks and economic factors of symbol marks changing. As for factors of social changes in symbol marks, demands for symbol marks of university UI design are on the increase due to establishment of colleges and universities, and digitalization by spread of computers from the existing manual work in method of work induced diversification in expression techniques and changes in colors and the number of colors for use. Due to such changes, colleges and universities break from the existing images for differentiation in their symbol marks. Economic factors of symbol mark changing indicate opening economic markets. Since the advent of the WTO in 1995, colleges and universities of Korea have presented differentiation and new visions in the age of unlimited competition caused by expansion in education market. The purpose of this study is to research formative characteristics of symbol marks of domestic universities focusing on factors of changing trends and changes in symbol marks of domestic universities and to discuss development of university US and trend in the near future.
As for research scopes and methodology, the author divided the formative trends of university UI designs into 24 national universities and 20 private universities renewed in 2003, based on their symbol marks. As for formative characteristics, the author of this study conducted case investigation for analysis, including forms, colors, numbers of colors for use, expression techniques, and motives. For analysis, the forms were divided into round, quadrangle, polygon, and other forms; the colors were divided into red, blue, green, and others; the numbers of colors for used were divided into 1 to 4 degrees of the Solid Color Type and 1 to 3 degrees of the Gradation Color Type. The motives of the symbol marks were divided into letter, book, shield, natural object, the Earth, cross, building, compass, torchlight, and others. The expression techniques were divided into graphic, logo, and mixture of graphic and logo.
The results of this study are as follows. As for the formative characteristics of university UI design symbol marks, other forms were most shown in the forms, followed by round, typical shield, and polygon. As for colors, blue was most shown, followed by red, other colors, and green. As for the motives, letter was most shown, followed by others, shield, natural object, book, the Earth, cross, building, compass, and torchlight. Usually letters are used for symbol marks; letters may deliver images of universities directly rather than symbolism of universities and thus can be easily remembered and contribute to enhancing legibility and awareness. Blue color is widely used because the color may give the public impressions of familiarity and comfort, and the color also serves as the public-centered “communication mark” by expressing ideals and future orientation.
In conclusion, as letter-type symbol marks with legibility, awareness, and immediacy are on the increase in the university UI design symbol marks, communication mark as a formative characteristic may occupy the trend.