Additional Background

Our new logo is not meant to supplant our current symbols, the Coat of Arms or the Castle. It is meant to be an extension of our identity. A good logo is easily recognizable, unique, can stand on its own, and withstands the test of time. While the logo we decide upon won't necessarily immediately identify us as "Engineers", it is our hope that through time and the merits of our great Fraternity, people will naturally associate our logo with Sigma Phi Delta.

At first glance, and especially if you've never seen these seals before, the organization represented by them isn't quite apparent:

However, when you see these, you immediately recognize (or are at least vaguely familiar with) what you're looking at:

Now there's nothing wrong with the university seals above, they have their time and place, and sometimes, they're preferable to the alternative. But if you truly want something eye-catching and awe-inspiring, I'd hope you agree that the bottom logos do that much better.

For some examples of good logos look here:

Some logos are so strong
that they remain identifiable
even when incomplete

If you want to waste some time, go here. There are 4000+ examples of your favorite logos. If you're strapped for time, then take my word, if you work for a big company, your logo is there, so no need to check. :)

Also, you've probably noticed that all these logos have a ™ or ® attached to them. That means that they're trademarked. That means nobody can use our logo without our consent. While that's all great, more importantly licensing means we can make a little cash on the side. This doesn't necessarily mean that you won't be able to design your own tshirts locally. That's fine. And if you happen to want to include the logo on a tshirt, you'll have to clear it with the Supreme Council. And I'm sure all our tshirts are nice and clean and tasteful? :) I'm sure some of you have had the experience of going to the screenprinter and asking that your school's logo be put on a tshirt. And most likely for some of you, they told you to ask permission from the Board of Trustees. Well, there'll be some officially licensed merchandise that you can buy from the online store, and there'll be your own tastefully designed tshirts that you've made on your own. So, imagine in the near future, being able to go into your campus bookstore and finding a whole aisle of Sigma Phi Delta merchandise.

So to sum up, licensing equals money. And that's important when we launch our online merchandise store or when we have officially licensed vendors and you can buy your official Sigma Phi Delta hats, tshirts, jewelry, sweaters, pens, wall clocks, portfolios, jackets, footballs, shot glasses, credit card, picture frames, calling card, visors, decals, paddles, and keychains (among other things).

So which one of these would you like to see on your offical Sigma Phi Delta™ coffee mug?

Each one will be presented in its basic form. Click on the link to see some design alternatives, ones that include the words "Engineers" and "Sigma Phi Delta" Because if we want our logo to work, its the visual aspect that'll be remembered first (appearances make a good first impression). It'll only be through time that each design will be associated with "Engineers". And, yes, of course, we'll put "Engineers" under each logo. Early Apple Computer logos had "Computer" in them right?

Nothing is final, so if you'd like to make a suggestion (like a cannon sticking out of the Castle window) we're all ears.

Design 1

This one's old faithful, not too flashy, just reliable. Good ole Castle. Except standardized.

Click here for more examples of Design 1

Design 2

Eta Chapter's suggestion. A large number of logos fit under this category, a play on type.

Click here for more examples of Design 2

Design 3

Castle: The Next Generation. Take the old Castle, modernize it, and you have Design 3.

Click here for more examples of Design 3

Design 4

Mix and match.

So, tell us what you think. Questions, comments, criticisms, demands that we bring back option 2 from the ballot...send 'em this way:

supremecouncil@sigmaphidelta.org