After a private presentation for about one hundred invited guests earlier this year and a promotional campaign with so-called motto posters and message signs on campus roads, the UT community could finally see the new house style with their own eyes.
The new house style represents a universe of forms that was presented by designer Tom Dorresteijn of Studio Dumbar in a big tent behind the Faculty Club. The logo will be replaced by a trade mark: Universiteit Twente, in all capitals followed by a full stop. The fixed subtitle, `The ondernemende universiteit' (the entrepreneurial university), no longer is part of the new house style.
`When you place all of the Dutch university logos next to one another, this one immediately stands out,' explains Dorresteijn. `By making something basic, you actually choose for something really innovative.' The designer admitted to never having made anything like this universe of forms - with figures that resemble tadpoles, dice, DNA structures and eggs- in the last thirty years. `The UT has chosen for something completely new. We have tested it, and it's been proven to work. When you see one or two figures, it's burned in your memory as the `University of Twente.' You only have to see a couple of figures to recognize the whole: unity in diversity.'
The Executive Board President Anne Flierman beamed with pride while talking about the `completely surprising and innovative style which can place the UT back on the map in a distinctive manner even when compared to other universities in the Netherlands.' On a big screen, the figures and forms were shown as well as the applications on brochures, letterhead and business cards. The projection quality was poor, but the three hundred guests could get a good impression what is in store for the UT, starting in September. In the background, the student big band Stubiba provided a musical touch, dressed for the occasion in clothing imprinted with the new house style.
As mentioned in the presentation, the new house style will be used on September 1. The goal is for the majority of the changes to be implemented between this date and July 1, 2010.
