Wildlife Conservation Society Get Its New Logo and Identity

The Wildlife Conservation Society was actually founded in New York on 26^th April, 1895. It was first known as the New York Zoological Society, the organization held an authorization to improve wildlife conservation activities, promote zoology related research and studies, create a world-class zoological garden. The name was change to Wildlife Conservation Society later in the year 1993. The founders of WCS were Andrew H. Green, popularly reckoned as the father of greater New York City; the American Museum of Natural History’s curator and Columbia University professor, Henry Fairfield; and George Bird Grinnell, the editor of Forest and Stream Magazine and the Audubon Society’s founder, George Bird Grinnell.

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) mission is to ““save wildlife and wild places across the globe”, administering 500 conservation projects over 60 countries. It has a protected area of 200 million acres with above 200 scientists.

Together with the release of 2020 Strategic Plan, Wildlife Conservation Society geared up with its newly designed identity by NY-based Pentagram associate Michael Bierut.

Details of the logo

The mark appears in straight-line form and consists of various colours and imagery of animals. The graphic composition suggests the balance of ecological system and species that forms the natural world. Simultaneously, the overlapping shape indicates the widespread scope of WCS and has a measurable depth that hints at the geographic locations where the organization operates like mountains, oceans and forests. The complete coloured version of the logo appears in 5 different shades of green and blue that symbolizes seas, land and sky where the wildlife resides.

The symbol is representing the acronym of the full name of the organization “WCS”. To use it as a social media icon, the logo is placed vertically to fit into a perfect square. It will be integrated into the graphics for various parks, events and programs. There the logo will appear next to the zoo name or event mane, putting WCS on equal footing with its renowned components. The typography of the logo is set in Futura.

Bright colours are crucial elements in the logo design process. The colour combination has been used playfully that goes with the theme of animals and nature. The tint application on a two-colour version of the symbol can display 5-color combination, creating a contemporary, vibrant pattern. The colour scheme can be changed from time to time to represent different programs and parks.

Comparison with its previous logo

The previous logo of WCS was quite straight. It represented thick dark green flora and vegetation, which is the natural habitat for wildlife. It tuned with the theme of “wildlife” and had good typography but the application of the logo was not very flexible. According to some, it didn’t even look like a logo for a reputed global organization. The recently developed logo looks aesthetically pleasing and the compact form gives it an apt corporate touch. At the grass root level, there is a simple “W” designed with 3 interlocking colours and segments. It is neither very attractive nor boring but helps promote “wildlife” as the most crucial component of the organization. The logo looks marvellous when it features an animal on the right side of the “W” and with the changing colours to match it. It is especially effective when considered as the holding shape, making the animal look like a heart.

The application of the Logo

When it comes to application, the matter has been kept pretty simple with the initial –“W” marking huge impression in the promotional items, online ads, banners and as an endorser. The best part about this new symbol is its flexibility to be used as an institutional mark for research works and fund raising, promotional logo to attract customers’ online, building connection with popular parks of New York. It also makes a bold statement that they support wildlife.