By Mike Krizman
The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) unveiled a bold, revitalized, identity to kick off the 2021-2022 academic year.
The CCIW is a partner with New Jersey-based Skye Design Studios (SDS – sdsbranding.com), a national leader in sport branding, to develop a modernized look for the conference. With the help of SDS, the conference has a new logo system – composed of core, sport-specific, and member-specific marks – a designated font family, and updated color scheme that introduces ‘CCIW Blue’ to the original black and steel gray palette.
The nine schools in the CCIW are North Central College, Wheaton College, Elmhurst University, Augustana College, Illinois Wesleyan University, Millikin University, Carthage College, Carroll University, and North Park University.
The CCIW’s new primary mark was designed to convey power and purpose. A bold horizontal line splits the iconic ‘CCIW’ initials as an abstract tribute to the shared border connecting Illinois and Wisconsin. Two steel bars above and below represent strength, and the addition of ‘CCIW Blue’ to the original black and steel gray color palette gives the mark depth, energy, and the look of a power conference.
In addition to the core conference marks, SDS worked with CCIW membership to develop the logo in each institution’s colors. These marks are intended to be used exclusively for school-specific applications such as uniforms, playing surfaces, and apparel. Sport-specific marks were also created to promote each of the conference’s 25 championships. These marks feature simple, sport-related imagery alongside the ‘CCIW’ initials.
“Our process is equally strategic, collaborative, and creative; in essence, partnering with the conference to help define overarching goals and symbols, engage and empower stakeholders, and innovate fresh branding solutions that galvanize and inspire,” stated SDS Founder Skye Dillon. “This identity is the result of many great people sharing ideas and insight. I’m grateful to Maureen and Mike at the conference office along with the entire CCIW community for being such invested partners from start to finish.”
—Mike Krizman, Assistant executive director, College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin