5X社区

Walking With Purpose

Eye-catching graphics wrapped around several Kent Campus landmarks emphasize university's core values

Have you seen them? Done a double take?

It鈥檚 nearly impossible to walk around 5X社区鈥檚 Kent Campus these days and not see the massive new eye-catching graphics emblazoned across several important buildings. These colorful images offer students, faculty and staff daily visual reminders of what it means to be a Golden Flash.

Designed by the Creative Team in Kent State's Division of University Communications and Marketing, the new building wraps are bright and dynamic works of art symbolizing the university鈥檚 core values: Respect, Kindness and Purpose in All We Do. Inspiring Positive Change. Inquiry & Discovery. Freedom of Expression, to name a few.

鈥淒uring your time at Kent State, I encourage you to engage with and embrace our university鈥檚 core values and especially these two core values. One 鈥 honor your right to freedom of speech; and two 鈥 practice kindness and respect in all you do,鈥 said Kent State President Todd Diacon during the Convocation for the Class of 2027. 鈥淚t is OK to think one way or another, even when other people think differently. What I am asking you to do is to embrace a spirit of kindness and respect when exploring and debating these differences. That鈥檚 the Kent State way. Freedom of speech. Kindness and respect.鈥

Now, members of the Kent State community can take President Diacon's words in as they move throughout their day on campus.

Inquiry & Discovery signage on Kent Campus

With the university鈥檚 core values at the heart of the new graphic messaging, the visual design was built around the concept of a mosaic. Within the various tiles that make up the blue, gold, black and white mosaic concept are key themes of life on the Kent Campus, including specific areas of study.

鈥淲e have all these tiles that come together to make art in the same way we all come here with different diverse backgrounds and join together as the Kent State community," said Bob Louis, assistant vice president of new media communications, University Communications and Marketing, whose Creative Team created the complete concept for the installation project. 

freedom of expression building signage at KSU

The graphics have been added to buildings in several different orientations, adding a truly immersive feel as you walk around campus. The largest one so far is featured on Bowman Hall and is roughly 20 feet wide and 50 feet high, according to Louis. Others are located on Olson Hall, the old Kent State bookstore location and the library, with more to come.

The building wraps were placed in areas that tie into the university鈥檚 core values, said Louis. For example, 鈥淚nquiry & Discovery鈥 is in the area of campus that focuses on math and sciences.

鈥淭he idea is, as you walk along the campus, you get a sense of our values,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e wanted to make it so it鈥檚 kind of an experience as you walk.鈥

Louis said to keep an eye out for a few 鈥渆aster eggs鈥 among the mosaic tiles as well, adding a little whimsy to the project.

Respect and Kindness are Key at KSU
POSTED: Thursday, August 24, 2023 01:14 PM
Updated: Friday, August 25, 2023 09:11 AM
WRITTEN BY:
Amy Antenora