Economic High School is a Belgian education brand whose logo was designed by Paul Ibou in 1983. The mark is described as a rectangle-based symbol with a shadow effect, reflecting Ibou’s geometric approach to logo design.[1]
Design and History
Paul Ibou, born Paul Vermeersch in 1939, was a Belgian graphic designer who created more than 350 logos and corporate identities during his career.[2] He began working as an independent designer in 1962 under the pseudonym Paul Ibou, derived from the French word “hibou” (owl).[2]
Ibou designed the Economic High School symbol in 1983, the same year he created the well-known logo for the province of Antwerp, which featured 15 equilateral red triangles forming both the letters “P” and “A.”[3] His broader portfolio includes logos for Cécémel, Antwerp-Tax, the Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen, Tele-Onthaal, and the Belgische Tiercé.[4]
Ibou was known for creating three-dimensional logo objects, typically in plexiglass on a base, which he used to present his designs to clients.[2] His logotheek, a collection of roughly thirty such logo objects, was acquired by Design Museum Gent in 2019.[2]
Meaning and Symbolism
The mark is described as a rectangle-shaped symbol with a shadow effect, consistent with Ibou’s geometric design language.[1]
Typography and Design
Ibou’s design approach was notably geometric. His personal logo, created at age 17, was a stylized owl built from simple graphic forms.[5] His work frequently incorporated letter-based symbols and clean, structured shapes, as seen in his Antwerp province logo and other corporate marks.[3] Specific typography details for the Economic High School logo have not been documented in available sources.
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