Have you seen them? Done a double take?
It’s nearly impossible to walk around Kent State University’s 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’s core values: Respect, Kindness and Purpose in All We Do. Inspiring Positive Change. Inquiry & Discovery. Freedom of Expression, to name a few.
“During your time at Kent State, I encourage you to engage with and embrace our university’s core values and especially these two core values. One – honor your right to freedom of speech; and two – practice kindness and respect in all you do,” said Kent State President Todd Diacon during the Convocation for the Class of 2027. “It 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’s the Kent State way. Freedom of speech. Kindness and respect.”
Now, members of the Kent State community can take President Diacon's words in as they move throughout their day on campus.
With the university’s 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.
“We 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.
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’s core values, said Louis. For example, “Inquiry & Discovery” is in the area of campus that focuses on math and sciences.
“The idea is, as you walk along the campus, you get a sense of our values,” he said. “We wanted to make it so it’s kind of an experience as you walk.”
Louis said to keep an eye out for a few “easter eggs” among the mosaic tiles as well, adding a little whimsy to the project.
