The design is developed around architectural elements from the Huashan Road Main Gate of the Xuhui Campus and the East Gate of the Minhang Campus. Roof-tile motifs incorporate elements inspired by the Siyuan Gate of the Minhang Campus. The years “1896” and “2026” are transformed into structural forms of beams and columns, symbolizing generations of Shanghai Jiao Tong University members carrying forward a spirit of perseverance and contributing brick by brick to the University’s growth and development.

The curved line at the bottom represents the University’s open, globally oriented educational vision, highlighting SJTU’s contemporary ethos of “rooted locally while embracing the world.”

Inspired by the name plaques of Nanyang Public School, the design draws upon iconic architectural elements such as flying bridges, beams, and columns, artistically reinterpreting them into the numeric form of “130.” The overall composition is concise, dignified, and dynamic, paying tribute to history while embarking on a new chapter.
The classical architectural imagery conveys the enduring cultural lineage and resilient foundation of the Centennial Institution, while the modern, minimalist structure reflects the University’s forward-looking momentum, emphasizing its strategic focus on innovation-driven development.

The core visual is derived from the 1933 annual publication title of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, using the character “交” as the original form. Through the deconstruction and recomposition of its brushstrokes, the left portion of the character is simplified into the visual form of “130.” The dot in the upper-right resembles a water droplet, symbolizing the idea of “drawing inspiration from the source,” an implicit reference to the University’s guiding principles and values. The calligraphic structure as a whole evokes the image of a person in motion, conveying a sense of collective momentum and forward movement. It embodies the belief that members of the SJTU community move together toward the future, advancing hand in hand on a new journey.