The 2025 Chronicle

New vs old logo

pattern of Christ who strive (with His help) to serve God and others with humility and courage for life. As part of the logo update we had the opportunity to create a visual language that is true to the geometry of the school and its distinctive architecture, which informs the design of both Mi chaelhouse’s internal designers and their external suppliers. As this new logo set and VIS begins rolling out across millions of touchpoints within the school and beyond, I want to thank Murray, Nicky, the Board and the Rector for entrusting us with this sacred task. And to my team, Sean van der Westhuizen, Martin Sing and Naledi Mosotho: thank you for your tireless insight, design excellence and patience in walking this journey with me. All glory to God!

It was just over 20 years ago (2004) that Facebook went live (and only opened its official office in South Africa in 2015), ush ering in the era of global social media; and it was only 15 years ago in 2010 that Instagram brought image-first storytelling to the mainstream (and started really kicking in in South Africa in 2014). Now, mobile-first design and digital platforms demand logos that are instantly recognizable at thumbnail size. In this digital age, logos are no longer confined to letterheads or stone engravings – they live on screens, in apps, and across countless social platforms. A simplified design ensures clarity and consistency, whether it’s displayed on a billboard or as a tiny profile icon. Without this evolution, the brand risks losing im pact in the very spaces where today’s audiences engage most. We are deeply grateful to Mike and his team for the sensitivity and care with which they approached this refresh. It is no small task to honour more than a century of heritage while preparing such a special brand for the demands of the digital age, yet they managed to balance tradition, modernity and beauty with remarkable skill. There is something profoundly fitting about having an Old Boy at the helm of this project. Mike’s personal connection to Mi chaelhouse, his understanding of its spirit, and his professional expertise ensured that this evolution was not just a design ex ercise, but a continuation of the Michaelhouse story. We could not imagine anyone better suited to lead us through this chap ter, and we thank him and his extremely talented team whole heartedly for their dedication.

THE DIGITAL IMPERATIVE WITH OUR SERIF THANKS Written by Nicola Kidgell

When Michaelhouse’s earliest logos were created, the world was still firmly rooted in print. Fast forward to the late 20th and ear ly 21st century, and the communication landscape transformed dramatically.

The video and explanation is so brilliantly executed and encapsulates their brand so powerfully. Really further cementing the legacy of being on the forefront of education. I wish I had this as a reference point four years ago! It really is worth sharing to inspire and advocate for other educational institutions to move cautiously towards defining and thereby enhancing their own legacies. Lisa Kate Ackerman, LinkedIn

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