Announcing: The New BIDS Logos
by Meryl Carver-Allmond, BIDS Training Director
In the next few weeks, we will be gradually rolling out our new BIDS logo in places like our letterhead, business cards, and, yes, even some swag! As such, I wanted to tell you all a little bit about the inspiration and design of this unique Kansas PD emblem.
Kneeling in the atrium of our Kansas Judicial Center, Poco Frazier’s “Justice” depicts a woman with a prairie falcon perched on her upraised arm. In addition to making her uniquely Kansan, the falcon – whose vision is thought to be eight times more powerful than that of a human – represents perceptive and speedy justice.
This new BIDS logo, which is also meant to depict a uniquely Kansan prairie falcon, draws inspiration from both the flowing lines and the motivation of our Kansas “Justice," but, like Kansas public defenders, it is its own fierce, independent creature.
The wings of the falcon are meant to evoke the fire Kansas public defenders feel to ensure just results for their clients. And the scales suspended from each wing are in perfect balance – not because we are under any illusion that the criminal legal system is actually fair and balanced for our clients, but because it’s our job to make it so. Lastly the words “Kansas Board of Indigents’ Defense Services” (or alternatively, “Kansas Public Defenders”, the logo is designed so they can be interchanged as appropriate) form the base of the logo, and symbolize the foundational role public defense plays in ensuring justice in Kansas courts.
This logo was designed by Allie Varas, with assistance from Blaine Carver‐Allmond, both graduates of the University of Kansas School of Art and Design. We'll be sending out new letterhead this week, and will be gradually ordering new business cards for those who would like them (watch your email for when it's your office's turn). For the month of March, we will also be opening a pop-up online t-shirt shop. While we're starting with this one simple design, if there are other items you would like to see the new logo on, please feel free to drop me an email (mcarver@sbids.org) for future pop-ups!