Columbus Area Visitors Center Unveils New Tourism Brand Inspired by the City’s Iconic Design Legacy

As the DMO for Columbus and Bartholomew County, the organization is responsible for

marketing the area's attractions, events, and services while also collaborating with local
partners to enhance the visitor experience and improve quality of life for residents.
The new brand draws upon the city’s world-renowned design heritage while embracing the
vibrant, welcoming spirit of Bartholomew County, drawing inspiration from legendary
graphic designer Paul Rand.

Rand’s celebrated Dancing C, created for the Visitors Center in the 1970s, can be found
throughout Columbus, from murals and bike racks to posters and local merchandise.
“Because the Dancing C has become part of the visual landscape of Columbus, it was
essential that the new brand honor its legacy rather than replace it,” said Misty
Weisensteiner, executive director of the Columbus Area Visitors Center. “Our approach
was to build on its whimsical energy and color palette, not to completely reinvent what
already resonates so deeply here.”

The result is a tourism brand that reflects the warmth and creativity visitors experience the
moment they arrive in Columbus. The updated Visit Columbus identity incorporates
dynamic color, approachable typography, and lively graphic elements reminiscent of
Rand’s playful forms. It reinforces the community’s reputation for excellence while
presenting a fresh, modern expression of its personality.

“This is not a rebrand of the City of Columbus or Bartholomew County,” said Weisensteiner.
“This is a brand evolution for the Visitors Center, one that reflects how we introduce,
describe, and celebrate this remarkable community to the world. Our goal was to create a
visual identity that feels welcoming, vibrant, creative, approachable, and fun. Our brand
must be flexible enough to represent everything from our celebrated modern architecture
to our county’s full roster of festivals and events. And equally important, a brand that
matches the level of excellence we strive for as a DMO.”

As part of the launch, the Visitors Center has introduced a newly updated website,
ComeSeeColumbus.com, that brings the brand to life in a vivid and intuitive way. The
redesigned site offers a more engaging, user-friendly experience for travelers planning their
visit and exploring everything Columbus and Bartholomew County have to offer. Residents
and visitors alike will enjoy the functionality of the site’s Community Calendar feature.

The new brand will serve as the foundation for updated marketing campaigns, digital
platforms, merchandise, and visitor experiences rolling out over the coming months. It
represents both a continuation of the city’s storied design legacy and a new chapter in how
Columbus shares its story.