Autism Ally

Autism Ally is a seminar conducted every semester at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) to raise awareness about Autism among staff and faculty. The seminar's primary goal is to challenge and dispel stereotypes and misconceptions that professors and staff may hold about Autism.

Objective

The old logo for Autism Ally features a neuroscience-themed design, which may not fully capture the seminar's broader mission of fostering understanding and inclusivity. There is a proposal to update the logo to better reflect the seminar's objectives and values.

Strategy

Inclusivity and Understanding: The new logo should symbolize inclusivity, understanding, and support for individuals with Autism.
Modern and Approachable: Incorporate modern design elements that are approachable and resonate with the university community.
Distinct Identity: Create a unique and recognizable logo that stands out and reinforces Autism Ally's brand identity.

The old logo primarily emphasized the neuroscience aspect of Autism, inadvertently portraying autistic individuals as study subjects rather than unique personalities. This focus on the scientific perspective overshadowed the human element, making the logo less relatable and inclusive. Additionally, the complex design with overlapping elements hindered its versatility and effectiveness across various applications.

Old Autism Ally Logo

Design Elements

Rainbow Gradient: Utilize a rainbow gradient to represent diversity and inclusivity, reflecting the spectrum of experiences within the Autism community.
Letter 'A' Without Crossbar: Design the letter 'A' without a crossbar to create a distinctive and modern look, symbolizing openness and accessibility.

Proposed Logos

The new logo proposals prominently feature the infinity symbol as a key element. In one design, the infinity symbol is creatively integrated into the letter "A" by using it as the crossbar. This approach not only highlights the infinity symbol but also seamlessly blends it with the word "Ally," reinforcing the message of support and partnership. Another design option focuses on the infinity symbol as a standalone element within a word mark. This version includes a quirky line, emphasizing Autism as a unique and quirky characteristic of an individual.

Selected Draft

The selected draft prominently features the infinity symbol and the letter 'A.' These elements are encircled by the word mark "Autism Ally," creating a cohesive and visually appealing design that emphasizes the center's commitment to support and inclusivity.

Selected Draft

Colors & Typography

The logo utilizes the font Arial Rounded MT Bold to create a friendly and approachable visual appeal. The rainbow gradient symbolizes the diverse manifestations of Autism and the unique identities of each autistic individual. Additionally, other colors are selected based on CSULB’s brand guidelines to ensure consistency and alignment with the university's visual identity.

Arial Rounded MT Bold Type Font

Rainbow Gradient

HEX: ecaa00
RGB: 236, 170, 0
CMYK: 7, 30, 94, 1

White

Black

New Logo

The design process focused on targeted refinements to the selected draft. The team increased the text weight to improve legibility and scalability, and applied a rainbow gradient to the infinity-cross element within the central “A” to reinforce the visual concept.

Vertical Lockup

A lofi wireframe of an Autism Ally social media post.

Stickers included as part of the BMAC swag.

Logo Design

2024

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