Branding for Virginia AI Safety Initiative
This logo was developed for the Virginia AI Safety Initiative (VAISI), a group dedicated to the ethical development and deployment of artificial intelligence. Using a design thinking approach, I created an identity that communicates trust, rigor, and innovation while remaining accessible to a broad academic and public audience.
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Process Overview
01
I began by researching the initiative’s audience: faculty, students, and collaborators engaging with AI ethics and safety. These users needed a visual identity that felt authoritative and academic, yet forward-thinking and human. AI safety can feel abstract or intimidating, so the logo needed to invite trust and understanding rather than distance.
02
From this research, I defined the core problem: how might a logo and brand strategy visually represent AI safety as both technically robust and ethically grounded? The identity needed to reflect protection, responsibility, and collaboration while aligning with the University of Virginia’s institutional presence.
03
Challenging the assumption that AI visuals must feel cold or overly futuristic, I explored visual metaphors around protection, structure, and networks. Concepts merged traditional academic symbolism with modern, computational forms, allowing the logo to feel rooted in history while addressing emerging technologies.
04
The final mark combines a shield with a networked, point-and-line structure that references AI systems and interconnected intelligence. The crossed sabers nod to Virginia’s historical iconography, reinforcing institutional grounding and vigilance. The color palette adheres to the University of Virginia branding guidelines, ensuring cohesion, credibility, and adaptability across platforms.
05
I tested the logo and brand identity across digital and print contexts to ensure clarity, scalability, and recognition. Feedback confirmed that the mark successfully communicated trust, intelligence, and purpose—resonating with both technical and non-technical audiences.
Outcome
The final brand identity presents AI safety as structured, intentional, and human-centered—transforming a complex subject into a clear and trustworthy visual system.
Key Takeaways:
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Translating abstract, technical concepts into meaningful visual language
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Balancing innovation with institutional credibility
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Applying human-centered design to emerging technologies
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Designing scalable brand identities across platforms
Tools Used
Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Canva
