For Immediate Release Winter 2012

Contact: Chris Nutter, Communications Director chrisn@cgstudionyc.com / 917.770.0350

Chermayeff & Geismar Rebrands Leading Public Education Support Organization, New Visions For Public Schools
(New York, NY): Private sector support of public education has grown tremendously in the last 20 years, with privately funded organizations often becoming the catalyst and nexus for solutions to the seemingly intractable and ubiquitous problems of public schools. New Visions for Public Schools -- launched in 1989 -- has since become one of the largest such nonprofit organizations in New York City. Backed by supporters such as the Gates Foundation, New Visions has opened four charter schools, financially supports 73 public schools, certifies teachers, and provides reform strategies for identifying critical issues in public education as well as initiating effective solutions. The organizations logo an image of a sun rising behind the name was designed in the early 90s and was no longer optimal for the organization: it was not unique enough to be instantly recognizable; it didnt have the visual impact appropriate to a leader in its field; and most important, it was not flexible enough to work in new media. So New Visions came to Chermayeff & Geismar which designed logos for high-profile academic institutions such as Brown University, NYU, Princeton University Press and Cornell University -- to design a modern mark that would be instantly identifiable, work in new media, and unite all of its operations under one visual identity. Designed by partner Sagi Haviv, the new mark a V formed by three escalating bars is a symbol that can work in all forms of media as well as help identify all of New Visions schools and programs:

The sunrise image has become somewhat clichdthe new abstract symbol is a more modern and original visual identity, says Haviv. Although the new mark is less literal, the three bars suggest both growth and dynamism, as well as climbing steps, and is simple enough to work everywhere. We also felt that Public Schools is an integral part of the name and should not be treated as a caption. New Visions For Public Schools new visual identity will be implemented throughout the organizations communications in fall and winter of 2012 and 2013.
Chermayeff & Geismar, founded in 1957, is a graphic design firm famous for designing some of the most recognized logos in the world, including those for Chase Bank, NBC, PBS, Mobil Oil, Showtime Networks, National Geographic and Barneys New York. The partners new book on identity design, Identify: Basic Principles of Identity Design in the Iconic Trademarks of Chermayeff & Geismar was published by Print Publishers in October, 2011. The firm is based in New York City.

New Visions for Public Schools Presentation images