The Evolution of the UCLA Bruins Logo: A Visual History
The UCLA Bruins, a name synonymous with collegiate athletic excellence, boast a rich history and a visual identity that has evolved over the decades. From humble beginnings as the Southern Branch of the University of California to becoming a world-renowned institution, the UCLA logo has mirrored the university's growth and enduring spirit.
Early Days: From Cubs to Bruins
In 1919, when UCLA was founded as the Southern Branch of the University of California, the athletic teams were initially known as the "Cubs," a nod to their relationship with the California Bears in Berkeley. The early mascot was a scraggly stray dog named Rags. As the institution sought to establish its own identity, the grizzly bear was chosen as the new representative. However, the University of Montana already claimed the grizzly as its mascot, leading to a search for a unique symbol. After considering options ranging from buccaneers to gorillas, the "Bruins" were adopted in 1926, a name that UC Berkeley had been using alternately with “Bears” for decades.
The Script "UCLA": A Classic Wordmark
The script "UCLA" wordmark emerged as a prominent logo, becoming a recognizable symbol of the university. The typeface is a classic italic script, with all letters connected in a flowing, handwritten style. Each letter is distinct but complements the others. The capital "U" typically features a slightly wider entry stroke compared to the downstroke. The "C" curves gently and connects to the "L" with a flourish. The "L" has a downward stroke with a slight curve at the end. The "A" has a wide base with a narrow top, and the crossbar connects to the right upright near the top.
The classic version utilizes UCLA's signature colors: powder blue and gold. The letters are typically in gold, outlined or filled with powder blue.
Joe Bruin: Mascot Evolution
In 1964, Joe Bruin, the beloved bear mascot, made his debut on the secondary logo. These early depictions often leaned towards a more cartoonish or friendly appearance, with big, friendly eyes, a wide smile, and a somewhat simplified bear face. The classic UCLA colors of powder blue and gold were prominent.
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The 1996 redesign aimed for a more modern and athletic look. The facial features became more defined, with a stronger jawline and a less prominent smile. The color scheme remained the same (powder blue and gold), but the application might have shifted slightly.
Key Logo Iterations Through the Years
To properly tell the story of UCLA Bruins logo history, we must return to 1964. The UCLA Bruins’ first primary logo was a blue UCLA logo with bright yellow trim. The “A” in the UCLA logo has a long tail that is long enough to become an underscore for the entire logo. The UCLA wordmark was written in a script style.
- 1964-1978: The primary logo featured a blue "UCLA" wordmark with bright yellow trim, written in a script style. The "A" had a long tail that underscored the entire logo.
- 1978-1991: The color of the primary logo was switched from blue to yellow, with a blue, shadowy trim visible. The "UCLA" wordmark was still in script, but thicker than the previous version.
- 1991-1996: The institution deviated from only having a “UCLA” wordmark and switched to a “UCLA BRUINS” wordmark. Additionally, the wordmark in this primary logo was written in bold print instead of script. The top half of this primary logo features “UCLA” in bold yellow print, contained within a blue background. The upper half is elongated. The bottom half of the logo contains the “BRUINS” wordmark. It is written in bold blue print with a white background. The “BRUINS” wordmark is smaller in size. The bottom of the logo contains a bold blue underscore.
- 1996-2017: The following primary logo would see the university revert to the script. The logo features a blue, bubble-like “UCLA” wordmark written in script. It also contained yellow trim. This logo is a nod to the first primary logo in UCLA Bruins history, as the “A” in the “UCLA” wordmark contained a long tail extending across the bottom of the logo to serve as an underscore. However, the critical difference is that a yellow “BRUINS” wordmark can be seen across the tail.
- 2017-Present: UCLA would keep its script format. However, it would purely consist of a “UCLA” wordmark. The color of the script was strictly blue and contained no trim at all.
The Block "B" Logo
Similar to the Joe Bruin logo's modern iteration, the "B" has a clean and modern aesthetic. The block font creates a strong and recognizable symbol. It features a simple and modern take on the UCLA lettering with a slight slant for a dynamic feel. The color scheme utilizes UCLA's official colors: powder blue and gold.
The UCLA Seal: A Symbol of Knowledge
The university also has its seal, which is sometimes viewed as an emblem. The history of this distinctive mark dates back to 1884 when the trustees of The University of California decided to create the first corporate seal. It was developed by the jewelry company Tiffany & Co., but the original was burnt in a fire after a severe earthquake in 1906. Two years later, the educational institution again turned to Tiffany & Co. to update the design. Then, a book was added inside the circle, and the five-pointed star moved up.
The seal is used primarily for ceremonial purposes and in official documents. Inside it is a book - a traditional symbol of knowledge. She is affably open as if inviting me to join the world of science. Short dashes on the sheets imitate text. Only the capital “A” in the square is visible - the so-called drop cap. It has an enlarged size and, in this case, denotes the starting point from which the path to wisdom begins.
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Directly above the book is a five-pointed star with irregularly colored sides. Beams radiate from it in the form of dashed lines in all directions. The star symbolizes the source of knowledge, and its light is its spread. The bottom of the pages is partially covered with a writhing tape with the words “LET THERE BE LIGHT.” UCLA inherited the motto that sounds like “Fiat Lux” from its ideological predecessor, the University of California.
The book, with its surrounding elements, is enclosed in an uneven ring. This is another inscription tape. It contains the full name of the educational institution, with all words separated by periods. At the bottom, at the end of the tape, is the abbreviation “UCLA.” The developers put it in place of the number “1868” when they adapted the UC seal for the University of Los Angeles.
The final part of the composition is a ring of many points. It has been used since 1910, when the University of California received your new seal from Tiffany & Co.
Font and Colors: Defining the Bruin Identity
The words on the university seal are written in two different fonts. For the motto, the designers chose a bold grotesque, and for the name of the educational institution - a typeface with short serifs. The Bruins’ distinctive mark looks very different: it has always used a handwritten, coherent font. In recent years, it has become almost calligraphic. As for the campus logo, it features bold italic sans serif. Keith Bright, who designed the typography, was inspired by the Bauhaus style. He slanted the letters so that there were dynamics in the lettering.
All University of California, Los Angeles symbols, including wordmarks and printing, share one common color called UCLA Blue (# 2774AE). The branding guide also allows using black-and-white versions, depending on the background.
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The University of California’s signature colors is blue and gold. The bright and vivid shade of the UCLA gold (Hex: #FFE800) symbolizes the legendary California poppy and sunsets. The dark azure shade of blue (Hex: #3284BF) represents the ocean and the wildflowers typical for the state. The hues have not stayed the same throughout the school’s history.
UCLA Athletics: A Legacy of Success
The UCLA Bruins are the athletic teams that represent the University of California, Los Angeles. The Bruin men's and women's teams participate in NCAA Division I as part of the Big Ten Conference and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF). For football, they are in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I (formerly Division I-A).
UCLA’s influence spans science, art, sports, and community service, drawing diverse students, academics, and athletes worldwide. Its commitment to excellence and innovation keeps it at the forefront of higher education.
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