Background
When you think of a school mascot, usually a generic animal or cartoon figure comes to mind. Not my high school. I graduated from Richland High School in Richland, Washington, which proudly claims the “Bombers” as it’s mascot - complete with a mushroom cloud. While the mascot has historical significance to the town (as part of the Manhattan Project, Richland produced the plutonium for the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki), the mushroom cloud has been deemed insensitive and offensive by many outside the immediate area.
I created a new logo concept for the school that still celebrates the contributions of Richland’s past while bringing it into a modern context.
I decided to use the prominent “R” from the existing logo and exchange the mushroom cloud for a new symbol. While researching the town history and scientific significance, I came across images of an atom, which more directly relates to the scientific advancements that were made during Richland’s early years.
