History of our logo
Sixty years ago, high school graduates in the Portland area faced limited opportunities. Aside from a costly university, they could look for an entry-level job or enlist in the armed forces. And even fewer choices existed for women, minority groups and immigrant populations.
Inspired by the shifting cultural landscape of the 1960s, Portland Public School administrator Dr. Amo DeBernardis believed all people deserve a chance to improve their lives through higher education. As head of the PPS adult and vocational education program, he understood the role lifelong learning plays in successful lives. From these foundational beliefs, Dr. De (as he’s affectionately known) founded Portland Community College, an institution with the primary role of building an aspiring and competent workforce.
More than six decades later, his vision continues to guide Oregon’s largest postsecondary institution – and open a new world of possibilities for more than a million students.
The growth of PCC logomark
Understanding the PCC diamond’s history can give a greater understanding of what it is and why it appears as it does. As the college grew through the years, so PCC’s brand mark evolved into its current form.
1960s
Following design sensibilities of the era, Portland Community College is branded with a monogram logo featuring the letters PCC within a circle inside a square.
Early to mid 1970s
As our region’s trajectory climbs, the PCC letters become more stylized and an uplifted arrow is added to the design. The square and circle are replaced with a border.
Late 1970s
With a new decade rapidly approaching, the logomark from the early 70s is truncated and replaced by a stylized P shape.
1980 to 1985
The stylized P logomark becomes bolder and simpler, reflecting the changing cultural landscape of the era.
1985 to 1994
As PCC expands into yet another decade, the P logomark becomes ever more stylized, incorporating the Cs in “community” and “college.”
1994 to 2002
As the internet age dawns, the PCC logo tilts 45 degrees and a tinted diamond-shaped background balances the design, each corner referencing one of the four pillars of PCC: student success, quality education, welcoming all, and sustainable development.
2002 to current day
As logos everywhere seek to cut through the visual noise of a world saturated in media, the tinted background is replaced by a solid frame and the modern PCC diamond is born: recognizable, accessible, and open to all.