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By featuring the college (or school) name prominently within the logo composition, each college is able to better market itself and its respective departments and programs. This level allows a focus on the school or college while maintaining the connection to the University identity.
When to use
Display college-entity logos on marketing collateral that represent the college as a whole. For department- or program-specific collateral, it is preferred to display the department (or program) logo, which displays the department name in a fixed relationship to the University logo, so as to maintain a strong tie back to the overall University.
Mentioning in text
When mentioning in text and on first reference in applications whose intended audiences may not already be familiar with the University, the University’s full name precedes the college’s (or school’s) full name. A comma separates the two. For example: “Metropolitan State University of Denver, College of Letters, Arts and Sciences” The abbreviated “MSU Denver, College of Letters, Arts and Sciences” may be used on first reference in applications whose intended audiences are likely to already be familiar with the University. Subsequent references within the same application for either first-reference scenario may omit the University prefix and simply use the college name, “College of Letters, Arts and Sciences” or its acronym “LAS.”
The logo components are in a fixed size and spatial relationship to one another. There are two formats available for use: horizontal and vertical (vertical shown). Do not resize or reposition the components within the logo. Additionally, the college (or school) name is displayed in a custom-rendered typeface. Do not typeset the college name in an attempt to re-create the logo.
Using MSU Denver, College of Letters, Arts and Sciences as an example, these guidelines apply to each college-entity logo.
College-level Logo Formats
Our college-entity logos are available in two formats. This provides optimal logo display within the space provided per application. The components within these formats are in a fixed size and spatial relation to one another and should not be altered.
Using MSU Denver, College of Letters, Arts and Sciences as an example, these guidelines apply to each college-entity logo.
Format A – Vertical
Display Format A on applications with square to vertically proportioned display areas.
Format B – Horizontal
Display Format B on applications with horizontally proportioned display areas.
College-Level Logo Clear Zone
To avoid crowding our logos with other imagery – such as text, photography, illustrations, color breaks or rule lines – a “clear zone” is the minimum amount of space to remain free of other imagery. This minimum space requirement also applies to page trim and folds. The clear zone is proportional to the size of the logo, and its border is determined by measuring from the outer edges of the logo to the distances indicated in the diagrams below.
Using MSU Denver, College of Letters, Arts and Sciences as an example, these guidelines apply to each college-entity logo. Adhering to clear-zone guidelines will best ensure legal protection of our logos by minimizing confusion as to their appearances.
Format A (Preferred) – Vertical
Format B – Horizontal
College-Level Logo Minimum Size
Shown below is the minimum approved size for our college-entity logos as measured from the width of the Roadrunner Symbol. The diagram below shows actual size at left, but then enlarged for viewing ease. If a size smaller than the approved is necessary, the college-entity name is typeset in one of the approved support typefaces. See Support Typefaces.
The minimum size to be displayed is 0.75 inches (19mm, 54 pixels) as measured from the width of the Roadrunner Symbol.
If a visual representation of the college entity is needed, but the display area does not permit sufficient logo sizing, you may display the college-entity name in upper- and lowercase, or in all caps. It must be typeset in one of the typefaces from our approved type families, Univers, Gotham or Century Schoolbook, and must appear in one color. Contact University Communications and Marketing for approval of any typeface substitutions.
DO NOT display the college-entity name in a two- or three-color solution in an effort to mimic the appearance of the college-entity logo.
College-Level Logo Color Options
Our college-entity logos consist of specific hues of blue and red. Accurate reproduction of these colors, referred to as MSU Denver Blue and MSU Denver Red, is critical to maintaining a consistent brand image. See Brand Colors for their specific color formulas per media.
When a college-entity logo is darker than the background color on which it is displayed, it is referred to as “positive.” When the logo is lighter than the background color on which it is displayed, it is referred to as “reverse.” Within these two categories, there are both full-color and one-color options from which you may choose. The full-color options are preferred and should be displayed wherever practical. See Color Selection to determine the most appropriate logo color option for its intended display. Using MSU Denver, College of Letters, Arts and Sciences as an example, these guidelines apply to each college-entity logo.
Approved Positive Color Options
Display on white or light- to mid-value backgrounds
Full Color – Preferred
- MSU Denver Blue
- MSU Denver Red
- White Silhouette behind Roadrunner symbol
Display on:
- White
- Any light-to-mid value background
One-Color – Preferred
MSU Denver Blue- White silhouette or Clear Behind Roadrunner Symbol
Display on:
- White
- Any light-to-mid value background
One-Color – Approved
- Black (Shown)
- Neutral Metallics
- White Silhouette or clear background
Display on:
- White
- Any light-to-mid value background
Approved Reverse Color Options
Display on black or mid- to dark-value backgrounds:
Full-Color – Preferred
- MSU Denver Blue
- MSU Denver Red
- White Logotype and Silhouette Behind Roadrunner Symbol
Display on:
- MSU Denver Blue
- MSU Denver Red
- MSU Denver Gray
- Black or any mid- to dark-value background
One-Color – Preferred
- White
Display on:
- MSU Denver Blue
- MSU Denver Red
- MSU Denver Grey
One-Color – Approved
- White
- Neutral Metallics
Display on:
- Black
- Any mid-to-dark value background
College-Level Logo Color Selection
Clear logo visibility is important for ensuring its integrity. All college-entity logo components must be easily discernible from the background on which they are displayed. The gray-scale diagram below demonstrates how the visibility of each logo color option is affected by the color value of its background. Additionally, avoid displaying the logo on background areas with a high degree of contrast and/or distracting visual activity. Generally, positive logos provide optimum contrast on light- to medium-value backgrounds and reverse logos provide optimum contrast on medium- to dark-value backgrounds. Using MSU Denver, College of Letters, Arts and Sciences as the example, these guidelines apply to each College entity logo.
Important note about the Roadrunner Symbol
To best ensure clear legibility and maintain brand integrity, it is important to select the correct color version of any of our logos that include the Roadrunner Symbol. To this point, there are two important design features:
- The Roadrunner Symbol artwork is available with and without a white silhouette behind the symbol. The white silhouette ensures clear legibility regardless of the background color value on which it is displayed. However, the white silhouette is not always practical in certain reproduction techniques. In scenarios such as small imprint or two-color reproduction limitations on colored backgrounds, it is preferred to use a one-color logo to avoid diminished visibility of the red logo components caused by close color boundary between the red components and the background.
- When selecting a one-color logo, be sure to select the one-color positive art for light- to mid-value backgrounds and the one-color reverse art for mid- to dark-value backgrounds. These two one-color versions are NOT interchangeable. The rendering of the Roadrunner Symbol is different between the positive and reverse versions so that the eye “reads correctly.” If the one-color positive logo is inadvertently displayed in white on a dark-value background, it will appear incorrect because of the misread of the eye. Likewise, displaying a one-color reverse logo in MSU Denver Blue or black on a light-value background will result in the same undesirable effect.
College-Level Logo Misuse
Preserving the integrity of the MSU Denver brand is paramount. A visible method of preservation is through accurate and consistent display of our College entity logos. This practice will help reinforce its strength and continue to grow MSU Denver’s current degree of brand equity.
Shown below are just a few potential misuses of our College entity logos. All attempts should be made to adhere to the guidelines stated in this document. Any misuse will ultimately diminish the current degree of brand equity and potentially jeopardize its legal protection. Using MSU Denver, College of Letters, Arts and Sciences as the example, these guidelines apply to each College entity logo.
Correct Logo Use:
At right is the approved and preferred appearance of our college-entity logos.
Avoid the logo misuses below and others. If you have questions regarding correct logo use, contact University Communications and Marketing.
DO NOT:
Transpose the color scheme. Only display the approved color options.
DO NOT:
Display a one-color version other than those approved.
DO NOT:
Create a one-color version with tints to simulate the hue differences found within the two-color version.
DO NOT:
Allow the “M” to appear in MSU Denver Red (as it does in positive logo art) on reverse applications. Always ensure the logotype appears in white on reverse applications.
DO NOT:
Allow poor visibility between the logo and its background.
DO NOT:
Add graphics to the logo. Always ensure the Clear Zone is properly observed.
DO NOT:
Create new logo formats. Only display the approved formats.
DO NOT:
Horizontally stretch the logo in an attempt to fit within specific display areas. Always use one of the three approved format options.
DO NOT:
Vertically stretch the logo in an attempt to fit within specific display areas. Always use on of the three approved format options.
DO NOT:
Display the logotype component as a standalone graphic. The logo must appear intact with both Roadrunner symbol and logotype locked together.
DO NOT:
Typeset the logotype in an attempt to simulate it. The logotype is custom-rendered and should not be altered.
DO NOT:
Create special effects with the logo. Effects such as drop shadows impede legibility and diminish the logo’s integrity.