Columbia University
2023
Building a musical community's identity
Redesigning the logo and visual assets for Columbia University's Pops Orchestra.
Overview
Columbia University Pops Orchestra ↗ is a 100+ member student ensemble that has been a pillar of Columbia's music scene since 2014. It performs student-arranged anime, film, and pop music at seasonal concerts and official university events, and it puts community before perfection.
I redesigned the orchestra's logo and visual identity. As its Media Coordinator, I also rolled it out across social, merchandise, and university events.
Outcome
Approach
Challenge: A community that outgrew its borrowed identity
For 10 years, Columbia Pops used a Totoro silhouette as its logo. As the orchestra became a credible fixture of university life, the borrowed IP created copyright issues and felt childish. A decade of informal logo variations had also left the identity fragmented. The task was creating a visual language that carried 10 years of community feeling without losing the spirit people fell in love with.
Insight: A musical identity that leads with collaboration
I asked 20 musicians and 16 executive board members 1 question: what makes Columbia Pops unique? Members value musicianship, but community came first. They talked about growing through collaboration, showing up to extra rehearsals, and weekly boba trips. The identity had to hold a tight community, not just a professional ensemble.
Solution: A unique design that balances familiarity and professionalism
Studying the visual languages of global orchestras inspired me to combine the treble clef symbol and Columbia Pops' initials. The result is a distinctive mark that musicians instantly recognize.
The blue palette preserves Pops' association with Columbia University, while communicating elegance and trust. Circular motifs across icons, graphic design, and mockups serve as a metaphor of community and support.
Solution
