Image Standards
With an increasing number of marketing mediums, it is integrally important to promote Governors State University as a single, clearly-defined brand through consistent use of the university logo. The following standards have been created to help enhance the value of the university name, promote university recognition, and build a foundation for successful branding.
The university’s image is considered unique and marketable. The university name, including variations (Governors State or GSU), all logos, and images of the campus are trademarks of the university and are reserved for the official use of Governors State University.
All documents bearing the university logo must be reviewed and receive the approval of the Office of Public Affairs prior to final production, regardless of whether the materials are created and/or printed in-house or externally.
The University Logo
The Governors State University logo visually represents the university and consists of three elements:
- The university name: Governors State University
- The triad element (circle and concave triangle design)
- The university slogan: Unlimited Opportunity
All three elements should appear together as they are all integral parts of the logo. In certain circumstances, an alternate logo may be used. The alternate logo consists only of elements one and two above, removing the slogan. Special circumstances include materials where college, department, or unit specific slogans are used.
The university’s official colors are black and white. The university logo is available in two color combinations:
- Primary—Black elements on a white or transparent background
- Reversed—White elements on a black or transparent background
All logos should appear in black and/or white only on all printed and web materials. Alternate colors or shading is not allowable.
Standard Logo
Unit Specific Logos
In limited circumstances, a university unit may use a unit-specific logo. If a unit wants to use a unit-specific logo as a graphic identifier, the unit must receive approval from the Director of Public Affairs. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Whenever a unit-specific logo is used, the official university logo must also be used. Unit specific logos should never appear larger than the university logo.
This policy may be waived for promotional and specialty items (pens, pins, etc.) when a single organizational logo may be used for specific marketing purposes.
Logo Use and Appearance
In order to maintain consistent branding, Governors State University should be prominently identified on the front/beginning/cover of each marketing piece. The university will be identified through the inclusion of the university logo.
University logos and marks should appear as originally drawn and proportioned and cannot be visually modified except for proportional sizing. Do not rotate, overprint, alter the font, squeeze, or stretch the logo in any way.
At a minimum, the university logo should appear no smaller than ½ inch on a standard bi-fold brochure or single sheet flier. Larger documents should carry a proportionately larger version of the logo.
A buffer space of one-third the height of the logo should appear between the logo and any other graphic element.
There are rare instances where guideline flexibility must be exercised. Variances will be evaluated on a case by case basis and all exceptions to these guidelines must be approved by the Director of Public Affairs. No unauthorized logo, seal, or graphic element may be used to represent the university or any of its colleges, schools, divisions, departments, programs, or offices.
Approval of Logo Use
All documents bearing the university logo must be reviewed and receive the approval of the Office of Public Affairs prior to final production, regardless of whether the materials are created and/or printed in-house or externally.
Noncompliance
In the event that documents or marketing pieces are printed without adherence to the official logo guidelines, the Office of Public Affairs reserves the right to confiscate or halt distribution of the materials. Corrected materials will be reprinted at the non-compliant unit’s expense.
The University Seal
The university seal is the most formal symbol of the university. The seal may only be used on formal and ceremonial university documents or forms from the Office of the President, Office of the Provost, or Board of Trustees. Examples include diplomas, official certificates, executive invitations, limited commencement materials, and legal documents.
The seal should not be used on marketing materials to identify the university. In addition, the university seal is not available for download on the logo download page to protect its distribution and integrity. If you are unclear about whether the seal in appropriate for use on your materials, please contact the Office of Public Affairs.
The following rules apply to the use of the university seal:
- The complete seal must be used.
- The seal must be used alone and never combined with another emblem or symbol.
- Type may not touch the seal or be superimposed over it, except when it is used as a watermark.
- The seal must remain as originally drawn and proportioned and cannot be modified distorted.
- The minimum size of the seal on all materials will be 1/2 of an inch in diameter.
Download Logos
University logos are available for download on the Public Affairs download page.
