The Klinikum der Universität Göttingen, today operating as Universitätsmedizin Göttingen (UMG), has a visual identity shaped by two distinct design eras. The first mark, created in 1975 by the Stuttgart graphic designer Anton Stankowski, is documented in the archive of the Stankowski-Stiftung and in exhibition materials from the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. The second, introduced in 2000, replaced the earlier mark following a restructuring of the university’s medical division.
Design and History
Anton Stankowski designed a logo for the Universitätsklinikum Göttingen in 1975. The design is documented in the exhibition booklet “Stankowski + Duschek” from the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, which lists “Universitätsklinikum Göttingen, Logo, Entwurf, 1975, Tusche und Collage” (logo, draft, 1975, ink and collage) and “Universitätsklinikum Göttingen, Logo in vier verschiedenen Größen, Ausführungsvariante, 1975, Collage” (logo in four different sizes, execution variant, 1975, collage) as exhibited works [1]. The logo database Logo Nature independently attributes the mark to Stankowski and his Grafische Atelier, dating it to 1975 and categorizing it as an abstract mark with shapes including crosses and squares [2].
Stankowski’s studio also handled design work for the clinic’s broader communications. A brochure titled “Unser Klinikum Medizinische Fakultät der Universität Göttingen,” published by the Kurator of the Georg-August-Universität, credits “Stankowski + Partner, Hans Geipel, Karl Duschek” for its design [3]. The Stankowski-Stiftung notes that Stankowski designed numerous logos for companies, institutions and cities, and that many remain in use today [4].
In September 2000, the Bereich Humanmedizin of the University of Göttingen introduced a new logo. According to a press release from the university, the new mark combined the seal of the Medizinische Fakultät with the abbreviation “UKG” for Universitätsklinikum Göttingen on a light blue background. The redesign followed the introduction of a new management structure in May 1999, which included a unified public relations office and a consistent visual appearance [5].
Today, the institution operates under the name Universitätsmedizin Göttingen (UMG), and its current corporate design guidelines reference the “UMG-Logo” as the standard mark for all units of the medical center [6].
Meaning and Symbolism
Documented symbolism for the 1975 Stankowski mark is limited. The Logo Nature entry describes the mark as abstract, using shapes including crosses and squares [2]. The 2000 logo’s meaning is more explicit: it combined the faculty seal with the UKG abbreviation on a light blue background, signaling the unified identity of the medical faculty and the university clinic under one management structure [5].
Typography and Design
No specific typography or construction details for either the 1975 or 2000 marks are documented in the available sources. The 1975 mark was executed in ink and collage, as noted in the exhibition listing [1].
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