Charlotte, NC - On Tuesday, the NJCAA announced a rebrand of all association logos. The launch encompasses the NJCAA primary shield logo, secondary wordmark logo, 15 sport logos, and 24 region logos. The NJCAA worked closely with Rickabaugh Graphics, the Official Logo Design and Branding Partner of the NJCAA, throughout the design process to create a modern, unified presence for all brand marks.
"The NJCAA brand is the first impression of the association and the visual identity for two-year collegiate athletics in the United States," stated Brian Luckett, NJCAA Vice President for External Affairs and Development. "Our team placed great emphasis on having a modern presence while also staying true to the association's history. The updated logos are a culmination of the time and effort of our staff and Rickabaugh Graphics to create a consistent brand our association can be proud of."
The focus of the logo rebrand can be seen in the NJCAA's primary mark, the shield logo. The NJCAA shield logo, previously displayed with gradient colors, is now highlighted by a sleek and simplified design that incorporates the official NJCAA colors and a consistent font.
The NJCAA sport and region logos were also updated to reflect the association's brand identity with cleaner lines and colors. Several of the sport-specific elements found in the NJCAA sport logos were altered, including the NJCAA swimming and diving logo which now showcases a swimmer rather than the previously shown wave symbol. Another modern touch of the brand update can be seen in the 24 region logos. The previous region logos incorporated gradient colors and roman numerals. The rebranded NJCAA region logos put a focus on the NJCAA's official blue and numeric digits.
"When Rickabaugh Graphics joined the NJCAA as its 'logo design and branding partner' our primary goal was to elevate the brand image for its member schools, its sponsored events, and for the NJCAA itself," stated Eric Rickabaugh, Owner & Creative Director of Rickabaugh Graphics. "The logos being unveiled today are but a portion of those efforts and we are very proud to see them being put to work. It is a great honor to be a part of the NJCAA's mission and to work with the organization and its member schools to promote both amazing athletics and excellence in education. We look forward to continuing those endeavors."
The NJCAA began its partnership with Rickabaugh Graphics in August 2019 when the company served as the principal designer in assisting the NJCAA with a redesign of the association's championship logos. The championship logo update created a consistent look for the NJCAA's 52 national championship events. The newly released rebranded logos, along with the championships logos, provide a distinct picture of the NJCAA's brand identity.
To view the NJCAA's updated logo use and style guide, visit: NJCAA Brand Standards Guide.