IIT College of Architecture Visual Identity
- Credits
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Bud Rodecker
Design Direction, DesignAlyssa Arnesen
Design
The IIT College of Architecture’s legacy is rooted in modernist principles championed by Mies van der Rohe and upheld in Crown Hall, where students explore big ideas and practical applications of design. Led by partner Bud Rodecker, Span crafted a graphic identity system that honors this legacy while propelling the college toward future innovation.
Central to the identity are two key typefaces: Neue Galerie, a digital revival of Mies van der Rohe’s original “Allzweck” drawings, and The Future, a contemporary take on Futura, historically used at IIT in the 1940s. These typographic choices ground the brand in both heritage and forward-thinking, mirroring the school’s balance of conceptual and hands-on approaches.
Supporting elements—like a refined color palette, modernist grid structures, and flexible layouts—reinforce IIT’s ethos of “shut up and build.” Through a visual system that is humble yet meticulously crafted, the new identity underscores IIT’s commitment to shaping architects who bring transformative ideas to life.
Photo © William Zbaren
