Finding Notre Dame

The arms of the University of Notre Dame
designed by Pierre de Chaignon la Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024. 

For the longest time I've been frustrated by the fact that no decent digital emblazonment of Notre Dame's arms existed...until now.  These arms were among the early designs that I completed using vector format. Designed in 1930 by Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941), the arms for the University of Notre Dame located in South Bend, Indiana are somewhat iconic in my opinion.  

Blazon for the arms of the University of Notre Dame:  Azure, issuing from a lake barry wavy Azure and Argent, a passion cross charged with an open book edged Or thereon inscribed VITA DULCEDO SPES, and in dexter canton a six pointed star Argent.

A souvenir found on eBay. 

The university's arms set within a gothic quatrefoil and most likely 
rendered by la Rose himself.

Banner of arms of the University of Notre Dame.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

So, now we have la Rose's beautiful, simple, and clear arms for the University of Notre Dame. 

The Struggles of Personal Heraldry

Arms of private armigers designed by the author.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

I've been asked before to design personal coats of arms--mostly from well-intentioned individuals struggling to come up with their own design.  I certainly relate to this design struggle, vividly recalling my own ordeal tearing through untold drafts with dissatisfaction.  One thing, however, changed for me when I decided to research how well designed arms were pieced together with intention and meaning.  When I kept stumbling on this rather odd name, Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941), I decided this guy must know something about heraldic design and so it began.  Researching a designer's work unlocked everything for me, for I knew I did not want to simply throw a bunch of charges on a field and call it a day.  I wanted a design layered, abstractly true to my brand, and above all balanced and beautiful.

My journey into this newfound world of heraldry all of sudden became special and filled with purpose.  While it took time and many drafts to arrive on my chosen design, I was glad for both the journey and its intended destination.  Now ten years on since I finalized my arms, I'm still in love with them.  

For this reason I politely decline most requests to design personal arms.  In a word, these are personal.  Without really knowing a person, and I mean truly knowing them, I find it quite difficult to come up with ideas that resonate and reflect the would-be-armiger.  I do encourage them to take their own journey, take time, and ultimately to be patient.

That being said, the few designs I have completed have been for close friends--meaningful experiences for myself and the armiger.  Will I do more in the future, who knows?  My love of corporate heraldry readily holds my attention these days.  

Old Armiger, Fresh Arms II

New emblazonment of arms for a private armiger.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Final emblazonment for a private armiger.  While I originally designed these arms in September 2014, we were never able to get a digital emblazonment, something I regret now.  

Arms: Gules, on a pale Azure fimbriated Argent three escallops Argent enfiled with as many vidame coronets Or;

Crest: On a wreath of Argent and Gules, a lamb rampant gorged of a vidame's coronet Or holding in dexter arm a market stick proper erect with crook facing sinister and on sinister arm an eschuteon Argent thereupon a Chi Rho Gules;

Motto: "From Strength to Strength."

Old Arminger, Fresh Arms

New emblazonment of arms for a private arminger.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

On fire this weekend and managed to knock off another project that I've delayed for some time.  Arms were designed in October 2014 but never managed to get a digital emblazonment.  It's lovely to see these in full color now.

Arms: Per chevron Gules and barry wavy Argent and Azure, in chief a demi sun in splendor Or and in base an anchor Or;

Crest: On a wreath of Argent and Gules, a Golden Retriever passant gorged of a collar Gules, in dexter paw a shotgun proper;

Motto: "Fire When Ready."