New Logo and Visual Brand Identity

FAQs

• Why did AIR update the logo and the website?

  We wanted a logo that looked current, was distinct and recognizable, and conveyed our focus on community and data—which is subtly reflected in the logo mark. Look closely and you may see a bar chart, a scatter plot, or a circle of individuals.

  The logo is more modern and even slightly youthful, which is important in attracting newer, younger professionals into the AIR community, and positioning our association, members, and stakeholders for the future. At the same time, we wanted it to appear professional, strong, authoritative, and global.

  You’ll notice changes to our website, electronic communications, and other materials that bring our visual look and feel in line with these new standards. However, the website content and functionality remain intact—including your website login.

• When did the new logo, colors, and fonts go into effect?

  We launched the new elements February 4, 2020.
• Where can I access the new logo?

  You can access our logo in various formats on our media page, along with guidelines for its use.

• How were decisions about the visual brand elements made?

  In early 2019, we engaged a visual branding firm, shared stakeholder priorities and input, and embarked on a nine-month journey to update our visual brand identity using the advice of experts as well as feedback from stakeholders.

• What were AIR’s goals for updating the visual brand elements?

  Our goals were to modernize the visual brand elements, differentiate our association, ensure consistency, and more clearly communicate the value of institutional research and data-informed decision making within the higher education community

  We wanted a logo that looked current, was distinct and recognizable, and conveyed our focus on community and data—which is subtly reflected in the logo mark. We wanted it to resonate with a younger demographic, which is critical to sustaining our association and the profession. At the same time, we wanted it to appear professional, strong, authoritative, and global.

• Why have the colors changed?

  Colors and fonts provide a strong visual link to our brand identity across a wide range of applications. The new colors and fonts were chosen to update our look based on their fresh, youthful, and vibrant appearance; their versatility and applicability; and ADA compliance. Their consistent use reinforces the distinctiveness of the AIR brand and enhances recognizability. In other words, individuals within the higher education community can more easily recognize AIR as the association advocating for more effective decision-making through the informed use of data.

• Why is AIR lowercase in the new logo?

  We decided to lowercase AIR in the logo for two main reasons:

  • To make the logo more modern and even slightly youthful, which is important in attracting newer, younger professionals into the AIR community, and sustaining our association and its work with higher education professionals well into the future.

  • To help differentiate our association visually from others using the same acronym (AIR), as most use capital letters in their logos
• Has AIR’s brand changed?

  Branding goes beyond logos, colors, and fonts. At the heart of branding is an organization’s purpose—and that has not changed. Our name, mission, and commitment to you and the higher education community remain our highest priorities. We continue our work to empower higher education professionals to use data and analytics to make better decisions. We’ve simply updated our look to better convey our message and achieve our mission.

• Has the website address changed?

  No, the website URL is still www.airweb.org.

• I'm not seeing the website properly. What should I do?
  Refresh your browser first. If that doesn't work, try clearing your cache and cookies. 
• Now that the website has been updated, is there anything I need to do differently to log in to my AIR account?

  No. You can log in to your AIR account using the same username (email address) and password by clicking on My AIR at the top of the website homepage (airweb.org) or by clicking on the LOG IN button, also at the top of the homepage.

• How do I know whether I am logged in or not?

  If you are not logged in, at the top of the webpage (airweb.org), you will see a button that says LOG IN. If you are already logged in, that button will say LOG OUT.

• Can I still access my online courses?

  Yes! Access to online courses has not changed. You will still go to My Learning and enter your username and password to access your courses.