Two new buses used to transport students from Cajun Field to campus are sporting custom wraps.
They feature photos of UL Lafayette students celebrating at home football games. The buses also display the university’s primary athletic mark. Along each side of the bus is a collage of students celebrating at a home football games. Pictures of various students were layered together to create the collage. UL Lafayette’s pepper logo is on the front of the bus.
The university’s Office of Communications and Marketing worked with Prejean Creative Advertising and Design, a local design firm, to produce the bus’ new look.
“ Lisa and Kevin Prejean spent weeks measuring each bus and making minute adjustments to the designs so that they fit just right along all the panels and contours of the buses,” said Matt Tarver, assistant director for Trademark Licensing at UL Lafayette.
“ We explored several options as we developed the bus graphics, with the goal of creating a design that generates excitement and pride,” said Kevin Prejean, creative director for Prejean Creative. “The bus provides a huge canvas to work with, so we were able to use the logo and the pepper as prominent branding devices. Incorporating photographs of students brings in that personal element.”
new UL bus left view
The first wrapped bus was unveiled in April, just in time for the university’s inaugural Retailers’ Appreciation Tour. Students, staff, faculty and fans used the bus to visit nearly 20 local retailers to say “thanks” for selling Ragin’ Cajuns merchandise.
Tarver said the wrap was an instant hit. “The first day the bus was used, people all across Lafayette were waving and blowing their car horns when they saw it.”
Kennan Guillory, assistant director of UL Lafayette’s Parking and Transit, said the buses are a powerful advertising tool for the university. “Who doesn’t notice a 45-foot red moving billboard? I overheard several students pointing out pictures of their friends and commenting that riding on the wrapped buses gives them a sense of pride.”
The second wrapped bus debuted before UL Lafayette’s Homecoming week in late October. Its wrap design features different photos of students.
“ It’s another great way to get our name out to the community,” said SGA President Jamey Arnette. “I think it gives students more pride in the university. It’s another great way to get our name out to the community.
new bus back view
Besides shuttling students, the buses are used for campus tours and other university events. “I think the wrapped buses add great school spirit, not only on our campus but city wide,” Dustin Domangue, SGA vice president, said.
Kimberly Wooten, SGA treasurer, described the first time she saw the wrapped buses: “I immediately stopped in awe. The wrapped buses are just one of many ways we as a university want to get the word out about our great school.”