Music Unites is a national charity with the goal to raise academic and lifetime achievement for at-risk public school students through the support and creation of unique music education partnerships and programs. This is a re-branding mission for my Identity Structures + Systems course at RISD.
The symbol was inspired by the triangular shape of the play symbol and the rounded corners of a guitar pick. The triangle itself is used in many cultures to represent unity and coming together. Unity as well as rhythm is expressed by the fusion of the lowercase m and u within the shape. The formal structure of the two letters compliment one another in that the two shoulders of the m and the bottom of the u and seem to flow into one another through the common vertical stroke when flipped horizontally. This also relates to the rhythmic qualities of sonic waves.
Music Unites is unique in that it exposes children to all the music industry has to offer in the 21st century. The organization has a Music-versity program which includes field trips to recording studios, music venues, and college environments. They also offer workshops and master classes with recording artists and producers. Music Unites has partnered with many schools throughout New York City and has recently begun partnerships with schools in Chicago and Los Angeles. For these reasons I felt it was important for the Music Unites Identity to be a dynamic one that would be able to fit in at a Hip-Hop show, a Punk Rock concert, or a symphony hall.
