Divided opinions as Preston’s university launches new look

The new design features a red rose made from love hearts

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The University of Central Lancashire has revealed its new logo, and people have split opinions about it.

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The new design is considerably different with a simple, modern crest replacing the red rose emblem. It features the year 1828 along with the Lancashire red rose formed of hearts, and lines resembling rays of sunshine above, all on a sky blue background.

The reaction on social media has been mixed.

After the university updated its Facebook profile picture to the new logo, it received over 700 reactions, with more than a third being negative. While 424 people liked or loved it, 145 showed they were sad, 100 laughed, and 34 indicated their anger.

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The comments on the post are overwhelmingly negative.

A UCLan building Pic: Tony Worrall — The old logo on the Engineering Innovation Centre Pic: Tony Worrall

Jaci Horrocks said: “It’s just bloody awful… Not in keeping with a prestigious uni… Could surely have spent the money on better things… My kids could’ve done better.”

Naomi Jessica questioned the meaning behind the new design. “What does it stand for? I quite honestly don’t understand it. Why the blue? Why the hearts?”

On Instagram, @lauragriffin.x said: “I prefer the old one… I feel like the old one was unmistakably UCLan, the new one looks too common”, while @tawdvalley_plot15 said: “Absolutely awful #bringbacktherose.”

Local emblems inspired the new stylised crest-shaped motif, with the symbols having been reinterpreted and modernised to form a fresh new look for the university.

It’s considerably different to potential logos shared in the past, which had a much more traditional feel.

In the new design, the lines above the crest are said to symbolise both an open book and rays of sunshine inspired by the motto ‘Ex Solo Ad Solem’, meaning from the earth to the sun, taken from the Harris Institute arms.

One familiar emblem not to obtain a place on to the new logo is the Preston Lamb. However, the red rose county flower appears, and the surrounding blue echoes the Preston City arms, which has a similar coloured background.

UCLan’s internal communications team said: “We’re the same vibrant University offering you unrivalled support and countless opportunities, but with a fresh, modern and exciting new look and feel.”

Do you love or hate UClan’s new logo? Let us know what you think by commenting below.