The École Polytechnique, founded in 1794 during the French Revolution which is one of the most prestigious and selective grandes écoles in France, sought to rebrand its image in order to strengthen its visibility and readability and selected illustrator Steven Noble to guide this image transformation process. The new visual identity of École Polytechnique revolves around two strong iconic symbols which are integral to the heritage and brand of the institute.
The school’s coat of arms, a historical insignia which bears the motto given by Napoleon “Pour la Patrie, les Sciences et la Gloire” (For the Homeland, for Science, and for Glory), represents the values of the school and its military status. The insignia once again resembles a traditional engraving in a style faithful to references from the Napoleonic era and with redesigned wings which lend it further elegance and strength, while remaining consistent with the form of the X (symbol of mathematical and scientific equations). This insignia also incorporates symbols of the army, navy, and artillery into it’s insignia.
