GIVING BACK: How The New Gilbert Tiger Happened

January 13, 2026

Sooner rather than later, Nick Schalinske knows the moment will come where he’ll be walking through the grocery store or lifting weights at his local gym and he’ll see it. Whether it’s on someone’s t-shirt, sweatshirt, shorts, coat, or hat, he’ll notice it instantly.

And he’ll smile. He may even take a picture.

As he should.

“To think that I’ll now see people wearing things with my designs on them, I’m very excited about that,” Schalinske, a 2010 Gilbert High School graduate and the father of two and soon-to-be-three current Gilbert students, said. “It’s surreal to think about, honestly.”

A financial analyst at Iowa State University by day and a hobbyist graphic designer in his spare time, Schalinske is the talent behind the new Gilbert Tiger logos that were approved by the Gilbert CSD School Board on Monday.

The board adopted the new Gilbert Community School District Brand Style Guide, which features the iconic Gilbert “G” that has not been changed, as well as a variety of new logos designed by Schalinske. The new logos include:

• A newly designed Tiger Head
• A newly designed Full Tiger
• A newly designed Paw Logo
• A newly designed G Tiger Logo, which blends the G with the new Tiger Head
• Newly designed wordmarks for the activities department and school district

The “G” and Tiger Head logos will be considered the primary logos for Gilbert CSD and the activities department moving forward. The Full Tiger, Paw Logo, and G Tiger Logo will be considered secondary logos that will also be used in a variety of ways.

Schalinske worked with the Gilbert Logo Design Committee, which was comprised of approximately 15 individuals, over the course of two months to come up with and complete the new designs. The committee included Gilbert CSD administrators, directors, teachers, coaches, support staff, and a school board member; four students, one from each high school grade; members of the activities boosters, fine arts boosters, and PTO; parents; and community members.

Everyone involved in the project understood the importance of the district’s logos and the impact branding has, both in the present and future.

“Logos themselves are quite meaningful. They connect people, and they can represent the entire community,” Schalinske, who donated his time, talents, and designs as a way to give back to his school and his community, said. “To be entrusted with something that meaningful and to know they are going to represent Gilbert and the community for decades to come, it’s very cool.

“The committee worked out really well. Everyone on the committee did a great job of having opinions, but also being open to others’ opinions, and we worked through things. I don’t know if it could have gone much better and much smoother.”

The rebranding project began in mid-October of last year when Schalinske presented potential designs for new logos to Superintendent Dr. Christine Trujillo and the school board members. He says he spent the better part of September putting his proposal together, and he was unsure if the school would be supportive of the project.

“Originally, I was just going to send an email saying I do design work and I specialize in logos, but then someone suggested to me that I send in some potential designs, so I just ran with that,” Schalinske said. “I think that was the right call.”

After conversations with Activities Director Ian Smith and Director of Community Engagement Troy Banning, the decision was made to work with Schalinske on the project, and school administrators were quickly impressed with the designer and his dedication to the district.

“We all know the history of Gilbert and Gilbert pride, and how deep that runs,” Dr. Trujillo said. “So to have an alumnus come to us and say, ‘Let me lead this project,’ is so special and something we can really hang our hats on. These logos are not only really incredible and the work behind them spectacular, but they continue to bring the traditions of Gilbert forward into the future.”

Smith worked side-by-side with Schalinske throughout the project, and says his professionalism and talent mirror his dedication to the district and community.

“Nick’s passion and creativity shined bright throughout the project,” Smith said. “We just loved working with him, and the activities department is looking forward to continuing that relationship with future projects.”

Not only did Schalinske create the logo designs, he was also the author of the entire 40-page brand guide that will serve as the standard moving forward. (See the full brand style guide HERE.)

The school district and Schalinske will now work together on getting the school’s logos trademarked, and soon enough apparel and other merchandise with the new logos will be available. Schalinske says it’s still a little hard to believe, but he’s excited about the future.

“It’s been a whirlwind, that’s for sure,” he said. “I haven’t had much time to decompress and think about it, but I’m just so happy with how the project went. Step by step, it’s been great.”

Gilbert CSD cannot thank Schalinske enough for his work, for his creativity, for his professionalism, for his service, and for his commitment to his school and his community. He is a perfect example of the phrase “once a Tiger, always a Tiger,” and we hope our school community will share in our excitement for these new logos.

About The New Logos