University Logo
Overview
The Ohio State University logo serves to identify the university in all forms of communications, and it preserves the integrity of its reputation for academic quality, innovation, research, and leadership in higher education.
The logo consists of a solid box with the words "The Ohio State University" reversing out of it. Consistent application of this logo in communications and signage across campus is integral to the success of Ohio State's identity program.
All materials, print or electronic, published by the university must correctly display The Ohio State University logo. The logo must not be overprinted, manipulated, or distorted. Such alterations would damage the logo's visual integrity and effectiveness.
The Ohio State logo should never appear smaller than the other logos used. Normal white-space, color, and size guidelines apply. Preferably, the Ohio State logo should appear to the left of other logos or first in reading order.
The use of the logo is restricted to Ohio State colleges, departments, organizations, and administrative units.
Preferred University Logo Colors
Use of Ohio State's official color of scarlet (PANTONE 200) is critical when reproducing the university logo. Black is the preferred alternative when PANTONE 200 is not used. The logo should always be printed in one of the three preferred colors. Exception: If the publication is printed in one or two colors and none of the colors is one of the preferred colors, the logo must be printed in the darkest of the color(s) used.
The Ohio State University Scarlet
- PANTONE 200
- CMYK: four-color process formula:
- 0 cyan
- 100 magenta
- 65 yellow
- 15 black
- Web or interactive: Use web safe hexadecimal: #990000 or RGB values: 153, 0, 0
The Ohio State University Gray
- PANTONE 429
- CMYK: four-color process formula:
- 6 cyan
- 0 magenta
- 0 yellow
- 34 black
- 35% black
- Web or interactive: Use web safe hexadecimal: #999999 or RGB values: 153, 153, 153
Color Usage
The logo should always maintain maximum visibility over any background color or image. The logo can be screened to 35% black but should never be less than 100% opaque in any other color. The logo may be placed over photographs as long as maximum readability is maintained.
Other Logo Reproduction
The logo may be embossed, foil stamped, or printed in metallic inks providing the colors are gold, silver, gray, smoke, black, or red.
The minimum height for an embossing die is 1".
Unacceptable Color Usage for the Logo
Unacceptable color usage includes:
- Using screen tints of the official university PANTONE 200 or any other color except black
- Mixing the colors in any combination other than the approved usage
- Using color digital files when outputting to a black and white laser printer (This will render the official color of PANTONE 200 red in a screen of black.)
- Using colors for the logo other than the preferred color choices of PANTONE 200, Black, or PANTONE 429. Exception: If the publication is printed in one or two colors and none of the colors is a preferred one, the logo must be printed in the darkest of the color(s) used.
The correct version of the logo is a red (PANTONE 200) box with the words "The Ohio State University" reversed to white. Other versions exist and are indicated below.
Preferred
Acceptable
PANTONE 429
BLACK
Logo with Background Color
If the logo is printed with a solid red or non-contrasting color background, the logo will need to be shown as white with red, black, or gray letters, and with no outline. If a solid color background has enough contrast with the solid logo, then it should be used, with no outline.
White Space and Size
Minimum white space around the logo should be 1/4 width of the box or 1/8" minimum.
Minimum logo height for print applications: 1/2".
Minimum logo height for web/interactive: 54 pixels.
NOTE: The Ohio State University Medical Center has been granted an exemption to the "white space" restriction around the university logo. Due to their unique need to be competitive in the health care market, the Medical Center is building a brand that acknowledges their university affiliation as well as a unified commitment to personalized health care. No other academic or administrative unit of the university currently has an equivalent dual challenge, and, therefore, this exemption is intended to be unique to the Medical Center.
Next: Logo with Campus or Location Distinction
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