Student creates new CSULB logo

By Suzanne Johnson, On-Line Forty-Niner

Monday, September 28, 1998

By Suzanne Johnson

Daily Forty-Niner

Student creates new CSULB logo Graphic design student Michael Frey, 28, is an artistic problem solver, a visual communicator. He is also the man responsible for designing the 50th anniversary logo for Cal State Long Beach.

The project was commissioned by Dr. Karl Anatol and Toni Beron, co-chairs of the 50th anniversary celebration. When presenting the project, they emphasized CSULB's many accomplishments. They were seeking a design that reflected continued achievement and growth into the next millennium.

"I wanted to create a design that was both elegant and collegiate," Frey said. "I also wanted it to be consistent with the official university seal."

A great deal of symbolism is contained within what appears to be a simple design. The fact that the leaves do not join on top reflects expansion. The bell tower beneath the number 50 serves as a point of recognition. Overall, Frey wanted his design to resemble a trophy, a prize, something to cherish.

Creating the logo was a class project. Students were assigned the task last semester and were given approximately two months to work on it. A committee selected Frey's design from nearly 20 submissions.

Frey will not receive any monetary compensation for his design, nor does he retain exclusive rights to it.

Although Frey claims free time is practically nonexistent, he manages to participate in two club soccer teams, one in Long Beach, the other in Garden Grove. At one time, he had aspirations of becoming a professional golfer.

After 10 years of bartending, Frey is currently an intern at Bozell Worldwide, an advertising agency in Costa Mesa. He works as an art director developing ad concepts for print and television.

Frey plans to pursue advertising.

"It's more structured in regards to people acknowledging what is good. Design is extremely subjective," Frey said.

At times it proves difficult, trying to satisfy the client while maintaining the integrity of the design, he said.

Frey is not unlike the typical college student. He has changed majors eight times. He went from business to speech communications, to architecture, which eventually led to design.

"I'm slowly and surely etching my way to a degree," Frey said.

The official launch of the 50th anniversary celebration will occur on CSULB Founder's Day, Jan. 29, 1999.