Dancing "C"

Dancing “C”

Created in 1974 by renowned graphic artist Paul Rand of New York, New York, the colorful “Dancing C” became an iconic part of Columbus’s visual identity. Rand, one of America’s premier graphic designers, is also known for creating landmark corporate logos for companies such as ABC, Westinghouse, IBM, and UPS. He served as a graphic consultant for Cummins from 1961 to 1996.

For the Columbus Area Visitors Center, Rand created the vibrant “Dancing Cs” in 1974, along with letterhead, signs, visitor maps, and architectural tour markers. He also designed the first editions of this book from 1978 to 1991, including their covers. The cover shown is from the first edition.

In 2006, the Columbus Brand Committee partnered with North Star Destination Strategies of Nashville, Tennessee, to develop the community brand, “Unexpected. Unforgettable.” This branding included a skewed “C” logo inspired by Paul Rand’s original design and his modern typography.

Today, that logo can be seen in several Columbus design elements, including the Luckey Climber, the fritted glass at The Commons, and bike racks located throughout the city.