Cool international school needs great new logo

West Sound Academy

West Sound Academy is a college preparatory community that cultivates a high level of scholarship and artistic expression. Our mission is to graduate confident, intellectually curious and open-minded young adults who are prepared to contribute responsibly to their world with creativity, character, courage and compassion.

Designed for grades 6-12 and located on the Kitsap Peninsula in Poulsbo, Washington, just outside Seattle; WSA is one of the few International Baccalaureate World Schools in our state and has a unique personality and curriculum. WSA needs a new brand look to reflect this global identity. We have a large international student body with students representing over 10 global communities.

We are looking for a logo design that communicates a high level of intellect and sophistication but also is still very casual and approachable- the schools personality is highly academic but also VERY individualistic. Our students have eclectic, pioneering spirits but our new logo also needs to demonstrate a successful establishment and long term strength.

We need our logo to appeal to a global community of parents who are seeking the very best education for their student. This audience cares deeply about education, but also about educating the "whole" person..not just intellectual growth. We built a curriculum around students who are socially minded, independent, risk-takers.

The logo should reflect a high level of artistry and elegance but also warmth and character. It it not a "snobby" school but it is a high caliber of education and depth.

Socio-economically we are appealing to families that are seeking private school education but we also have a huge amount of scholarships and financial aide so we do not want to feel elite and exclusionary...just awesome!

Some ideas:
- Logo could be a crest or seal, circular in shape.
- Logo could incorporate the globe (perhaps the O in "Sound") or flags (perhaps the W S, & A are a patchwork or puzzle of Flags fitted together)
- The Nautilus shape could be reconfigured to address a global identify... (perhaps held by many hands of many colors)

We are definitely on the hunt for something high concept.

Thank You!!

Logo should include the Words:

West Sound Academy
tagline: An IB World School

Other key concept words: Character, Courage, Curiosity, Compassion

Logo can contain up to 3 colors but should also work well in a single color environment.

The logo can address international focus, academic strength, include symbols...or just be font/ style driven.

The schools old logo is attached. It was created using the idea of the nautilus shell because it represents a perfect natural balance between science, art & nature. We could keep some variation of this symbol in our new logo with much better execution but we are also very open to a logo which conveys the new "international" identity or other key assets describes above. Font choice and color is also key.

Once logo is locked...we will be creating stationary/ several brochures/ flyers and other assets so the possibility of a full design package looms.

Please feel free to be modern or a bit quirky with your approach- the attached reference is only to show the old nautilus which we don;t hate.... but we do hate the boring execution of the symbol and the word together. :)

Mostly, we are just looking for something beautiful which captures our special spirit...Please WOW us!!!

We will be VERY communicative about design process, provide lots of feedback and guidance and support the process in any way we can.

Thanks in advance for participating.