Joint study of Brighton uni brand

The University of Sussex is working with Blast and Circus to evolve its brand identity to reflect major changes in structure at the Brighton-based university.

The two groups were appointed last week following an eight-way credentials pitch process which began before Christmas. Blast collaborated with Circus on a joint bid.

Circus is starting research among university stakeholders, from ex-students to local businesses, and is due to present its findings in mid April. It will then finalise a brief for Blast which is expected to start design work next month, says Blast director Colin Gifford.

Blast will be designing an identity and brand guidelines to be implemented widely across stationery, prospectuses, a website and signage.

Some of the changes to the university include the opening of its first medical centre, a revamped arts curriculum and a more streamlined schools system, all for the new intake of students in October, a spokesman says.

It is reducing its number of ‘schools’ from 11 to five, and Blast may create separate sub-brands for the five schools under one larger umbrella brand. Details of the design work has not yet been discussed, the spokesman adds.

‘We have not determined how widely the identity will be applied,’ he says. Work is scheduled for completion by October.

Meanwhile, Black Pig Design has been appointed to rebrand Peterborough Regional College, after winning a six-way unpaid creative pitch in February. It has been briefed to project a more commercial image for the college, which is seeking to attract a wider range of students.