Evolution of our Logo
1953
Upon achieving university status in 1953, the Assumption College logo featured winged lilies representing the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; the bridge symbolizing the function of a university in uniting segments of society as well as races and nations, the stag’s head is taken from the arms of the City of Windsor; the sun alludes to the County of Essex; the Greek cross represents St. Basil the Great, patron of the Basilian Fathers; the fleurs-de-lys and maple leaves symbolize the French and Canadian founders of Assumption College; the wolf is taken from the armorial bearings of St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits who initiated the College; and the bear, from the arms of the first Bishop of Regiopolis (Kingston), who obtained title from the Crown in 1830 for the land upon which the University is located.
1963
University of Windsor’s first logo introduced the leaf emblem.
1980
The leaf emblem was scaled down to pair with a logotype in Times New Roman.
1986
Stylized renderings of the Coat of Arms, developed for use in 1986, take the form of simplified line drawings for one-colour reproduction on printed matter. Use of the updated crest and shield is restricted to the Office of the President or by special permission.
2007
University of Windsor sought more recognition for our work in all matters related to the environment. Blue and green dominated in this web-friendly logo.
2013
Moving back to traditional Blue & Gold, the University chose to embrace history and developed an emblem based on our shield and crest, nested in the Lancer shield. DIN font was adopted for its versatility: highly legible in print and on screen.
Our Coat of Arms
The University’s coat of arms is to be used only for official business of the Senate or Board of Governors. The Coat of Arms is the official identification of the University of Windsor on diplomas, contracts and other legal documents, as well as on the University seal.
Our Crest
Use of the crest is restricted to the Office of the President.
Our Official Logo
The University of Windsor has adapted as the world and community changed and advanced, incorporating new ways of doing and being into our logo.
Drawing on tradition, the 1986 Shield and Crest had a significant influence on the University of Windsor logo used today. Bearing similar visual weight and proportion, the shield’s key elements in the new design include: the fleur-de-lys, the lily, the maple leaf and the stylized bridge woven through the “W.”
The current logo adds modern touches to emphasize the University of Windsor’s identity as a post-secondary institution with a vision firmly focused on the future.
Symbolism
The University of Windsor logo visually harmonizes our pride in the University’s heritage with modern elements that signal our enthusiasm for its exciting future.
Shield
Departing from the traditional, the shield shape has been modernized with a rounded top and corners. This shape echoes the shield used for Lancer athletic teams.
Chevrons
The logo uses a traditional shield with three chevrons (V-shaped pattern) as first established in the University’s 1964 coat-of-arms. The chevrons have been designed, in shape and placement, to create the letter “W” in the white space of the shield.
The five blue fields contained within the shield can also be seen as representing the five founding colleges: Assumption, Essex, Canterbury, Holy Redeemer and Iona.
W
The University of Windsor “W” commands centre stage, and its strength is the foundation of our visual identity. The "W" always appears in white, on a darker coloured shield.
Bands of blue and gold
The bands of blue and gold—or the “bridge” that is woven through the “W”— serve as a reminder of the Ambassador Bridge and our unique location on an international border. The bridge also represents the educational pathway of students, and the relationships they forge with faculty and staff, fellow students, and, after graduation, as alumni with their alma mater.
Fleur-de-lis
The fleur-de-lys alludes to the French-Canadian historic origin of the seat of the University.
Maple leaf
The maple leaf is the national symbol of Canada.
Lily with wings
The lily with wings was on the original Assumption University coat-of-arms.
Wordmark
The wordmark is set in DIN, a font adopted for its versatility and accessibility, making it highly legible in print and on screen. The use of a sans-serif, modern font balances the tradition of the shield. The words “University” and “Windsor” are weighted equally, lending to the idea that who we are is as important as where we are.
Colours
The shield uses the traditional blue and gold colours that have been associated with the University since its founding.
Blue symbolizes water, calling to attention the University’s location in a community bordered by waterways: the Detroit River and Lakes Erie and St. Clair.
White is the color in Western culture most often associated with beginnings and the new, making it most appropriate for use in the visual symbol of an institution of learning, creativity and discovery.
The wordmark is dark grey, more approachable than black.The wordmark is set in DIN, a font adopted for its versatility and accessibility, making it highly legible in print and on screen. The use of a sans-serif, modern font balances the tradition of the shield. The words “University” and “Windsor” are weighted equally, lending to the idea that who we are is as important as where we are.
