Reflecting on the university’s values led to a discussion of its identity and image—“the distinctive character that sets us apart.” This discussion focused on the university’s common name, logo, and related elements. The overall idea was to preserve its roots while enriching them.
Without intending to rank them, the values identified were as follows:
- A commitment to its history, region, and culture, combined with an openness to others, within a cross-border (Switzerland, Italy), European, and international context.
- A commitment to individual effort and a job well done, as well as to responsible collective ambition; a focus on democratic principles and transparent decision-making; and a commitment to knowledge-sharing and solidarity, as well as respect for people and the environment.
- Humanism and a commitment to the community, which leads to seeing oneself as an active participant within one’s local ecosystem, dedicated to helping shape responses to societal challenges.
- The preservation of freedoms, independence of thought, and critical thinking—which are the sources of intellectual creativity as well as cultural, economic, and social innovation.
The common name “Université de Savoie” (UdS) conveyed a traditional image, limited to a single department. Expanding the name to “Savoie Mont Blanc” made it possible to encompass both the Savoie and Haute-Savoie departments by leveraging a brand that was already in development. It also strengthened the identity by referencing the “roof of Europe,” known throughout the world. By changing the words, we changed the perception of reality.
The logo was redesigned with a focus on simplification and improved readability within the brand guidelines.