We unveils a new brand identity.
Dialogues on Asian Universities (DAU) has officially launched its new brand visual identity system "VITUS", meaning "Explorer."
This brand revamp aims to further solidify DAU's position in the higher education sector while enhancing brand awareness and fostering deeper connections with a broader audience through a dynamic new identity.
dauVS VITUS
本次重塑計畫的代號來源自連接北美洲和亞洲大陸之間的白令海峽，
該海峽的名字來自於丹麥探險家唯圖斯·白令 (Vitus Bering)
DAU不僅要作為亞洲高等 教育崛起的見證者，
也應是一名探險家，來讓亞洲高等教育連接並影響整個世界。
視覺系統重塑的期望
和品牌重塑不同，視覺系統重塑並不影響未來的發展規劃
主要負責構建出一個可供未來三至五年內使用的、廣泛傳播的、
且深入人心的視覺系統，並預設品牌未來的發展需求
提前預留出靈活調整空間和使用場景適配能力。
視覺系統重塑需要帶來...
大眾傳播價值 深度價值綁定 資產運用 便利 內外流程效率 清晰辨識美學 持續發展收入
傳播與價值
在先前討論中關於 DAU 的受眾群體進行分析，以目前的註冊和參會統計來看，我們所擁抱的是高度關注亞洲大學發展進程、關切未來方向、擁有操作能力、在教育領域有聲音的行業中人，和或與當期嘉賓有往來、接觸、利益關係的人員。DAU 也持續在和所有大學的國際合作辦事處進行聯絡以尋求合作和擴充潛在受眾。
但就對普通群眾和與高等教育相關的學者、專家、教授、教師、教學助理、以及最龐大的學生群體，DAU 並沒有進入這條賽道。
而在接觸頂層教育管理者的這個過程，也存在很多困難：分析指出，亞洲的大學並沒有成規模的社群和一站式信息共享平台。大學之間各自獨立運營，這並不是一個問題，更應當被描述為一種必然。
因此在傳播領域，DAU此次視覺系統重塑應當让 DAU 的品牌語言適配更加廣泛傳播的環境，讓更多的人切身實地參與討論，打破 DAU 的旁觀者身分，使 DAU 成為每個公民都能發表意見的探索家。
或者就大家一起吹水啦...
For social change, I mentioned earlier that DAU does Social Perspective Taking (SPT), where the next dialogue is adjusted based on feedback from the audience of each dialogue as a way to be more in tune with the expectations and pursuits of the target group. I believe this is very valuable. This approach can be customized to fit the vertical audience of DAUs as closely as possible. However, if they want to further promote DAU as a platform and expand the focus on Asian higher education and its impact, they may need to promote and publicize it through other channels. According to the content that currently exists on the Internet, DAU's influence comes mainly from vertical segments. Almost most of the sharing and exposure comes from the social media platforms of various universities, professors, deans, and other stakeholders. This is understandable, as DAU's current core product content is all about exchanging information with depth in the education space. While this has a steady following, its social influence still doesn't allow DAU's content to receive wider attention.
引用來自：
Liu Y. (2024). Bringing it into the World. York's School of the AMPD. 3-8.
效率與便利
隨著 DAU 的進程，誇張地說，視覺設計在 DAU 的比重已經佔到了舉足輕重的地位。甚至有些時候不禁令人懷疑：
DAU 究竟是否需要將設計進行到如此程度？
DAU 是否正在經歷「過度設計」？
我們急需一個機會來逐本溯源，徹底分析曾經的工作流中，究竟存在多少歷史遺留的問題和過度設計的角落。這份任務不僅僅是針對於設計，還需要對 DAU 的核心輸出內容進行分析。
如果嘗試分析為 DAU 進行視覺設計的優先級，包括但不限於以下內容需要進行優化和/或新建文件夾：
—— 針對活動主題和核心引流話題/信息的突出
—— 設計資產復用的便利性（提升設計組工作效率）
—— 然視覺語言一致，讓主視覺在不同尺寸和環境下保持明度
—— 針對不同平台、媒介的資產泛用能力、二次宣傳的能力
—— 為非設計專業的合作媒體、機構、學院提升宣傳的便利性
—— 足夠他媽的吸引人
持續發展
非營利組織通常不以盈利為目的，但它們需要資金來支持自己的使命和項目。以下是一些非營利組織可以採取的策略來籌集資金。
—— 籌款活動和捐款：組織籌辦各種類型的籌款活動，向社區和支持者募集捐款。發展持續的捐款計畫，如每月捐款者計畫或年度捐款計畫，吸引長期支持者。
—— 申請補助和資助： 尋找符合組織使命的基金會、政府機構或企業，申請資助和補助金。注意補助申請的截止日期和條件，確保申請符合要求並提供清晰的計畫。
——企業合作和贊助：與企業合作，建立贊助和合作關係，例如贊助活動或項目。提供企業社會責任（CSR）合作機會，吸引企業支持組織的使命和社會價值。
—— 社會企業和商品銷售：組織可以發展社會企業部門，通過售賣商品或服務來賺取收入，同時實現社會使命。賣出符合組織價值觀的商品，如手工藝品或文创类產品，吸引消費者支持。
—— 教育和培訓課程：提供有價值的教育和培訓課程，吸引受眾參與並提供學費來支持組織的使命。考慮開展線上課程或工作坊，擴大受眾和收益來源。
—— 成員費和會員制度：建立成員制度或會員計畫，收取會費或捐助，並為會員提供專屬的福利或服務。這些成員可能是個人、企業或其他組織，他們通過成為會員來支持組織的運作。
分析
DAU 同 TED / 一席 / 造就 / ··· 等所產出相同文化價值的競品的運營模式完全不同。DAU的運營模式不依靠線下帶來收益，或者說，線上宣傳轉為線下收費的模式，並不能在沒有資本進場投資，大規模擴充團隊成員和產出規模的情況下，有效地成為現行 DAU 的版本答案。
在幾年前 DAU 創立之初，沒有人對 DAU 有一個較為清晰的定位。她是一個在疫情環境下試錯中成長的產物，不誇張地說，我們現在仍然在做同樣的事情。但是我們都不難發現，目前我們所積累的全部資產和路徑，都是圍繞著互聯網開展的。我們發起活動、傳播廣告、吸引觀眾、在線註冊、參與直播活動、活動錄製、上傳和歸檔，在任何需要被打通的關節，全部依賴於互聯網。因此在我看來，目前的 DAU 應歸類為一個互聯網產品。
你可以在這裡找到更詳細的產品規劃書
Spearheaded by FODESIGNTM
The new DAU brand identity was personally designed by FODESIGN's Chief Designer and DAU’s Director of Brand and Strategic Development, Fuxuan Song. Compared to the original rounded logo, the new design embraces a more stable and forward-thinking geometric approach, refining the core visual elements while reimagining the typography of “DAU”, making the overall visual identity stronger and more sophisticated.
The primary brand color remains blue, but with a significantly enhanced saturation to reinforce DAU’s modern and academic identity. Black and white will also serve as complementary colors, ensuring adaptability across different event contexts.
“Simplification as Internal Exploration”
Shapes the New Identity
In redesigning DAU's identity, Fuxuan Song meticulously refined the existing logo to its essence. By breaking the negative space of the original mark, he extracted a dialogue box shape, using the most minimal design language to convey a concrete idea. The outward-facing edges were pulled inward, symbolizing self-criticism and internal dialogue. This refined approach perfectly embodies the concept of "exploration," culminating in DAU’s new brand identity.
Compared to rounded shapes, the use of geometric lines conveys a stronger sense of stability, reinforcing DAU’s commitment to clarity, decisiveness, and an assertive brand attitude.
Integrating Philosophical Thought into the New Design
Fuxuan Song introduced a key design concept for DAU—the explorer. He believes that DAU’s global dialogues, transcending both space and time, not only facilitate connections but also empower higher education leaders and participants to shape a shared future.
"VITUS" is named after the Bering Strait, which bridges North America and Asia and was named after Danish explorer Vitus Bering. DAU aspires to be more than just a witness to the rise of Asian higher education—it aims to be an explorer that bridges and amplifies its global influence.
"Like the relationship between ocean currents and continental plates, we evolve in response to the times, and the key to progress lies in each of our hands."
A Dynamic Identity Embodying “VITUS”
For the first time, DAU is embracing a dynamic logo, breaking away from the traditional constraints of fixed brand marks. Instead of maintaining rigid letter spacing, the new identity adapts fluidly to different scales for optimal readability. This innovation aligns perfectly with the "exploration" philosophy, proactively adapting to change as a core visual principle.
With this brand evolution, DAU’s visual language is now optimized for broader engagement, allowing more individuals to participate in discussions and transforming DAU from a passive observer into an active explorer where every global citizen can share their voice.
DAU’s Response to the
Era of Connectivity
"VITUS" is more than just a design concept; it represents DAU’s strategic vision in the era of interconnected digital landscapes. As a non-profit educational organization, DAU remains committed to fostering open dialogues among higher education leaders, policymakers, industry partners, and researchers worldwide, with its growth intrinsically linked to the contributions of educators.
As DAU continues to grow, it is forging new partnerships and expanding beyond higher education into multi-media platforms, bridging online and offline engagement, and ultimately reaching a global audience.
This brand evolution marks a significant step forward in DAU’s vision for the next five to ten years.