Buses, parking garage become promotional canvas

The university’s 50^th anniversary celebrations recently became more visible with the addition of vinyl graphics-emblazoned campus buses and Austin Bluffs Parkway-facing signs.

Two campus shuttle buses received vinyl graphics to highlight the 50^th anniversary in late January. One bus specifically highlights campus history and year-long celebration while another is intended to celebrate campus spirit and its athletic teams, according to Jeff Foster, associate director, Office of University Communications and Media Relations.

Foster worked with Jim Spice, executive director, Office of Parking and Transportation Services, Holly Kaspar, director, Auxiliary Services Operations, and a small group of staff members to generate ideas for covering the refrigerator white buses. Artwork was created by Blakely and Company, Colorado Springs, and produced and installed by Artworks Unlimited, Denver. Most campus buses are used to ferry students, faculty and staff from North Nevada parking lots to central campus. The bus that promotes UCCS athletics will be used to transport teams and fans to out-of-town games.

“This project was challenging,” Foster said. “While a bus is a huge canvas, the message had to be simple for it to be effective at 40 miles an hour. Focusing on the 50^th and athletics were great places to start. We hope to highlight the university’s academics in similar way as shuttle buses are replaced or their graphics updated.”

According to Spice, UCCS shuttle buses last an average of 10 years. The vinyl graphics should retain their colors for the time they are in service to the university before being removed when the buses are sold at auction.

In addition to the buses, a 3-by-13-foot UCCS logo and 10-by-10-foot 50^th anniversary graphic, created by RK Designz, Colorado Springs, was installed on the Austin Bluffs Parking Garage Feb. 8. The graphic faces Austin Bluffs Parkway.

Sterlynn Clendenin, event specialist, University Center, working with the 50^th Anniversary Committee developed the idea to increase the 50^th Anniversary’s visibility in the community.

 — Photos by Jeff Foster