Branding Logo FAQs

Branding Logo FAQs

Logo Redesign Criteria

Logo Principles
  • MEMORABLE
  • APPROPRIATE
  • VERSATILE
  • TIMELESS
  • SIMPLE
  • UNIQUE
  • SCALABILITY

Our Brand/Mission

MCC serves our communities, empowering students to succeed through innovative pathways and quality education.

Our Brand Characteristics

  • BOLD
  • INNOVATIVE
  • COLLEGIATE
  • CONNECTED/COMMUNITY
  • CLEAN
  • SIMPLE/PROFESSIONAL
  • AUTHENTIC
  • WELCOMING

A mark that lasts 10 years

Why was the mascot not included in the Primary College Logo?


Primary College logos are typically the main, most used and most versatile part of the brand identity. This logo is what will appear on most types of communication and materials ranging in size across promotional material, web and printed materials. This logo will need to be as simple as possible to scale from something as small as a pen to as large as a billboard. The College updated the Mascot mark in 22-23 fiscal year. Mascot and Spirit marks are usually different from the primary Logo and are used in conjunction with the primary logo where space allows and if applicable to the specific use ie. Shirts and larger items.

Some additional reasons Mascots are not usually included in Primary institutional logos:

Brand Differentiation
Institution vs. Athletics: The institutional logo represents the college as a whole, encompassing academics, administration, community outreach, and more. Including the mascot, which is typically associated with athletics, could blur the distinction between the college’s academic identity and its athletic programs.

Professionalism
Audience Expectations: The mascot might be seen as informal or playful, which is ideal for school spirit and athletics but less suitable for audiences like prospective donors, government agencies, or professional partners. An institutional logo should project professionalism and credibility.

Flexibility Across Applications
Wider Use Cases: The institutional logo is used in formal settings like official documents, grant applications, and partnerships. A mascot-based design might not align with the seriousness required for these contexts. Design Versatility: A simpler, mascot-free logo can be easily adapted for various media, including digital platforms, print materials, and signage, without losing clarity or becoming overly detailed.

Longevity
Timelessness: Institutional logos are designed to endure over time, whereas mascots might be updated or reimagined to keep up with trends. This discrepancy can lead to inconsistency in branding if the mascot changes.

Inclusivity
Broad Representation: Mascots often evoke school spirit and a specific cultural or competitive identity, which may not resonate with the entire college community. A separate institutional logo can more inclusively represent all departments, programs, and stakeholders.

Clear Hierarchy in Branding
Co-Branding Clarity: By keeping the mascot and institutional logo separate, the college can develop a clear branding hierarchy. For example:
Institutional Logo: Represents the college at a macro level.
Mascot Logo: Represents the athletics program and school spirit.
This approach avoids overloading one logo with multiple identities, reducing confusion.

Consistency Across Campaigns
Strategic Communication: Marketing and communication strategies often require distinct branding elements for specific audiences. The mascot can be used for sports and student engagement campaigns, while the institutional logo maintains a cohesive identity across all official communications.
By maintaining a separate institutional logo, the college reinforces its commitment to professionalism, inclusivity, and clarity, while still allowing the mascot to shine in its intended context.

Why was the cactus chosen as the icon?

  • The campuses all share a desert environment.
  • Mohave College is named after the desert.
  • The Cactus is the Native American symbol for the desert.
  • The Cactus occurs in the Official Seal & history of our logos.

 



Printer friendly page