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JCCC Society Series

“The Sociology of Logos” with Dr. James Bowie — a deep dive into logo design and branding.

How does an organization come up with its symbolic identity? Should a company’s logo blend in with others in the industry? Or is it better to stand out from the crowd?  

Find out at this enlightening presentation on logo design and its strategic importance to organizations. A brief question-and-answer session will follow.

Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 | 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Craig Community Auditorium – GEB 233
Johnson County Community College | Campus map (PDF)

Dr. James Bowie has analyzed quantitative data from millions of trademark registrations worldwide. Learn about logo design patterns he’s discovered—over time and across industries—including those related to the births of new styles, deaths of old trends, color use and geography. For a sneak peek, check out Emblemetric, a website about logo design where he shares his findings.

Bowie is a Professor of Sociology at Northern Arizona University. He has written about logo design for Businessweek, Slate, AIGA Voice and Fast Company. He also served on the committees that designed the Arizona state quarter and Northern Arizona University’s logo.

This event kicks off JCCC’s Society Series, featuring a presentation by a guest scholar each academic year. It is free and open to the public.