“Millennial”: it’s a term I’m hearing often these days, particularly in the weekly editors’ meetings at the Office of Creative Services. As one of the few (okay, maybe the only) Millennial in the office, I bristle every time someone mentions the word. Funny, because until recently, I thought the generic term for my generation was “Gen Y.” And until I heard this new descriptor, my only annoyance was that I didn’t make it into Generation X.

But what is a Millennial? The term is used–along with “Gen Y”–to describe the group of people born in the 80s and 90s. I’ve even heard that it’s used to describe anyone born between the years of 1979 and 1997. As with Gen X and the Baby Boomers, Millennials supposedly share certain characteristics–having overprotective, or “helicopter” parents, for example. Perhaps because of these helicopter parents, we are sheltered, achieving, and special (we think we’re special, anyway). We are also technologically savvy, teaching our parents the newest trends, which they will then, by this definition, use to find the quickest way to e-mail our professors, demanding next semester’s syllabus so their child can be the best-prepared student. Other descriptors I’ve heard include “confident,” “team-oriented,” and “conventional.” I’ve even heard students’ rudeness be attributed to being Millennials–we’re just too darn special to be bothered with saying “excuse me” when we bump into someone. I perked up at this one. You mean I can be a jerk and blame it on my generation? This is great!

But then I thought about it, and I realized my dad would kick my butt if he saw me acting that way. In fact, he’d probably fly in and salvage the situation before anyone thought less of me. Wait a second–that is so, like, Millennial of me.

In fact, the more I think about it, the harder I fight against this Millennial accusation, the more I become one. No wonder my co-workers are smirking at my protests. I’m just too “special” to believe I fit in a category.

What do you think? Submit a comment and let ME know. But could you e-mail it to my dad first?

We are currently working on a new Web site devoted to the visual identity standards resulting from the Integrated Image Program. The Visual Identity site will include downloads and information for print and electronic publishing as well as audio and video materials. We hope that our university colleagues will find this site a useful resource for information and publishing tools.

To simplify the available information and graphics, we will be merging some of our current Web pages into this new site:

:: The IU Web Policy site will be removed from the server. Information from that site will be updated and moved to the Visual Identity site. When the IU Gateway is redesigned, new templates and standards for that site also will be available in the Visual Identity site.

:: The Logos, Colors, and Wordmarks pages currently on the Creative Services site will be removed and all the downloads and information will become part of the Visual Identity site.

As always we welcome your ideas and suggestions. Please let us know how we can help you manage this transition smoothly.

Update: The IU Visual Identity Guidelines