The Australian National University (ANU) is Australia’s national university, established by an Act of the Federal Parliament in 1946 and located in Canberra.[1] Its visual identity centres on a heraldic crest that has been a consistent symbol for the university for over 75 years, most recently redrawn and refined as part of a brand refresh led by the Sydney design agency For The People.[2]
Design and History
The university’s coat of arms was granted by the College of Heralds on 6 July 1954. The official heraldic description reads: “Per chevron Azure and Barry wavy of eight Argent and of the last a Boomerang chevronwise Or in sinister chief five Stars representing the Constellation of the Southern Cross also Argent.”[3] The grant was addressed to Vice-Chancellor Sir Douglas Copland and signed by the Garter Principal King of Arms, the Clarenceux King of Arms and the Norroy and Ulster King of Arms.[1]
In early 2021, ANU launched a new identity developed by For The People’s Sydney team.[4] The project was framed as an evolution of the existing brand rather than a complete overhaul. The crest, described by the agency as a consistent symbol for ANU over the past 75 years, was redrawn and refined to be responsive across digital and print sizes.[2] The refresh was designed to bring cohesion to the university’s brand architecture and identity system, and to build recognition among domestic and international students.[2]
The university’s motto, “Naturam Primum Cognoscere Rerum,” generally translated as “first to learn the nature of things,” is associated with the identity and appears in official university materials.[5]
Meaning and Symbolism
The coat of arms combines several symbolic elements. The shield is divided per chevron: the upper portion is blue (Azure) and contains five stars representing the Southern Cross constellation, while the lower portion uses “barry wavy” lines of silver and white, a heraldic convention representing the sea. A gold boomerang (Or) is placed chevronwise across the shield.[3] The boomerang serves as a distinctly Australian symbol within the heraldic design.[6]
As part of the 2021 refresh, the colour palette was updated with inspiration drawn from the Australian landscape and fauna.[2] The university’s primary colour is ANU gold, with black and white as supporting colours.[7]
Typography and Design
ANU’s official brand typeface is Public Sans, a Google web font that is free to use. It is intended to be used consistently across all ANU brand touchpoints.[8] The 2021 refresh introduced this new typeface alongside new iconography and illustration styles.[2]
Official logo use standards specify approved colour combinations: the crest in deep gold with text in black on a white background, all-black versions, and white reversed versions for dark backgrounds. The guidelines state that no other typeface or colours should be used.[9]
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