The Ontario Educational Communications Authority (OECA) was created by the provincial government of Ontario in 1970 to produce educational and children’s programming, as well as printed matter for classroom use and exhibitions.[1] The authority’s original symbol, designed by Burton Kramer, was adopted by the Board of Directors at their first meeting on August 20, 1970.[1]
Design and History
Burton Kramer, a Canadian graphic designer known for his 1974 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation logo, designed the OECA logo and corporate identity in 1971.[2] The Alliance Graphique Internationale (AGI) lists the project as “Logo Design and Visual Identity Program for Ontario Educational Communications Authority and TV Channel 13.”[3]
Following the development and implementation of the symbol, Kramer was invited to develop a fuller set of identity standards, which culminated in the production of a corporate design manual in 1974.[1] The manual contained complete specifications for a wide variety of corporate materials, including sections on Symbol, Logotype, Typography, Use of Color, Applications, and Addenda.[1] The OECA corporate design manual won in the Look of Books 1974 Design Awards, organized by Design Canada.[1]
On September 27, 1970, the OECA began broadcasting, becoming the first full-time educational television station and the first UHF-TV station in Canada.[4] In 1974, it began using the on-air brand name “TVOntario.”[4] A new TVOntario logo was designed by in-house designer and head of design Dick Derhodge in 1975, with the wordmark set in tightly kerned Optima (Medium weight).[4]
Meaning and Symbolism
The OECA symbol was widely recognized as an “eye” composed of concentric circles, a visual motif that appeared in the authority’s on-air broadcast identity.[5] The symbol’s use in the corporate design manual cover incorporated gradient fills and an overlaid field of horizontal lines, evoking the illusion of a live television screen.[1]
Typography and Design
The OECA corporate identity program specified Helvetica as the corporate typeface, used in two weights for workshop materials and other printed matter.[6] The corporate design manual’s inner pages were printed in black and blue/purple ink only, predominantly on uncoated stock, with heavy colored paper divider sheets marking each section.[1]
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