Public Affairs

Griffins

Use of historic griffins on projects should be done with thoughtful intention. Historic griffins should never be used as a substitute for current branding.

The griffin was featured on the coat of arms of Simeon Reed, the college’s founder. In mythology, the griffin often pulled the chariot of the sun. In canto 32 of Dante Alighieri’s "The Divine Comedy," the griffin is associated with the tree of knowledge.

A collection of historical griffins chronicles Reed’s past. The official griffin logomark is a simplified silhouette based on the 1998 griffin illustration. A number of historical griffins have been featured in college communications in recent years.

Collage of 7 griffin illustrations that were used as Reed College logos through its history.
Historical griffins, from left to right: (top row) the current official griffin logomark, 1947, 1927, and 1941; (bottom row) 1996, 1944, and 1998.