Primary university wordmarks (preferred)

Iowa State University of Science and Technology full wordmark
Abbreviated Iowa State University wordmark

Full primary wordmark

  • For communications targeting audiences specifically interested in programs dealing with science and technology
  • For communications targeting a specific science and technology related audience
  • For grant proposal submissions
  • For official university documents

Abbreviated primary wordmark

  • For communicating with prospective students interested in degrees in fields other than science or technology
  • For communicating with audiences with whom the modifier does not strengthen our reputation
  • For college/department/unit/affiliate wordmarks
  • For simplicity of design

Secondary university wordmark

Secondary wordmark that shows "Iowa State" stacked on top of "University"

The secondary wordmark is differentiated by its stacked format, a separate graphic element that should never be created by manipulating the primary wordmark. Uses for the secondary wordmark might include one-column ads, podium sign, identification stickers, or certain merchandise or apparel.

Colleges, departments, units, centers and institutes

Secondary name wordmarks

The university wordmark is the largest element with the secondary name placed below to clearly communicate that it is an entity within Iowa State University and derives its value from this association.

  • When the wordmark needs to represent multiple units, the names should appear stacked with consistent font styles. This option is only for use in print and digital publications and is not approved for employee apparel.

Guidelines and specifications for wordmark use

The Iowa State University wordmark is the standardized graphic representation of the Iowa State University name. It is a design file of customized letterforms, and cannot be recreated with standard text.

  • Do not attempt to typeset or recreate the wordmark
  • No other logos, symbols, or type treatments should be developed or used by colleges, departments, divisions, units, centers or institutes

Center aligned

Sample wordmark, center aligned.

 

Left aligned

Sample wordmark, left aligned.

An area of isolation -- a margin surrounding all four sides of the wordmark graphic -- must be utilized for the wordmark to achieve maximum visual impact. Do not place type, photos, or other high contrast elements within this area.

Primary wordmarks only

Double (2x) the height of the capital “I” in the university wordmark

Illustration of the 2x margin around the ISU primary wordmark.

 

All other wordmarks

One-half (1/2) the height of the capital “I” the university wordmark

Illustration of the one-half margin around the ISU secondary wordmark.

 

Sample wordmark showing isolation margins.

  • All wordmarks can use Pantone 186 (red), black, or white.
  • Only the primary wordmark can use Pantone 142 (gold).
Display of the wordmark in four different colors.

University wordmark

The large capital letters (I, S, or U) should be no smaller than 1 pica (.17 of an inch) in cap height.

Wordmark sample showing minimum size of the university name.

 

Secondary name (college, department unit, center, institute, location, etc.)

The height of the first capital letter in the secondary name should be equal to half the height of the capital “I” in the university wordmark.

Wordmark sample showing minimum size of the unit name under the university name.

Secondary names: College, department, division, unit, center, institute, and location

  • The secondary name is the content below the university wordmark
  • The secondary name should be typeset in Univers Black, upper and lowercase
  • To represent multiple units, stack the secondary names with consistent font styles
  • The height of the first capital letter in the secondary name should be equal to half the height of the capital “I” in the university wordmark
Wordmark sample showing minimum size of the unit name under the university name.

  • The ® and ™ notices are not needed on stationery, marketing collateral or interactive communications, including written text content.
  • Correct placements for both the ® and ™ notices with the wordmark are available for download in the Brand Central (Cybox hub).

® registration notice

  • Always use on apparel
Sample primary wordmark with registration notice.

 

 ™ notice

  • Use when the wordmark appears on any other type of merchandise, including display banners 
Sample secondary wordmark with trademark notice.

Exceptions are granted under extreme circumstances, such as: 

  • Unit is not central to the university’s mission
  • Unit competes in a retail or corporate environment
  • Unit is celebrating a milestone anniversary

Wordmark suites include versions with approved orientations (primary/secondary) and variations (colors, registration/trademark). Department and unit wordmark suites can be developed for your marketing needs.

Downloads

  • Wordmark suites for the university, colleges and some secondary names are available in Brand Central.
  • Wordmarks for download are vector PDFs appropriate for digital and print use. White wordmarks are not visible until placed into an application.

Downloadable files

Wordmark files are vector PDFs appropriate for digital and print uses. White/reverse versions are not visible until placed into an application. An ISU Net-ID is required to access the files in Brand Central.

Other wordmarks and logos

  • The “I State” mark and the Cyclone marks are the primary marks used to represent the athletic brand of Iowa State University
  • Do not substitute the “I State” or Cyclone marks for or combine with the official Iowa State University wordmark. Academic units should use only the university’s wordmark for their print and digital design, communication materials, and internal environmental graphics.
  • “I State” cannot be used as verbiage within content of any materials

The athletics logos and marks are not available for download. Users must contact the Trademark Licensing office for the files.

  • Anniversary marks may be developed to signify defined milestones met by a college, department, or unit
  • All marks should include the following components: college/department/unit name, anniversary year and/or the milestone date range
  • The university wordmark must be included within the anniversary mark or used in conjunction with it
  • Anniversary marks should be designed exclusively in the university color palette and approved font families
  • Anniversary marks must be approved by University Marketing and Communications

Extension and Outreach geographically extends the knowledge-based resources and opportunities of the university. Proper and consistent use of the wordmark strengthens recognition of Extension and Outreach and its association with Iowa State University.

  • To provide a consistent format for communicating this relationship, the Extension and Outreach name is combined with the university wordmark as one unit.

Recommendations for strengthening audience awareness of the connection between the university and Iowa State faculty laboratories with independent logos:

  • The university wordmark should appear somewhere on faculty laboratory communications and promotional merchandise
  • The university wordmark should not be attached to the laboratory’s own logo

The official seal represents the university’s history as a land-grant university. It includes the phrase “Science with Practice” within the circle, and “Iowa State University of Science and Technology” on the outer portion.

  • Use is restricted to official documents signed by the President, and select merchandise
  • The seal is not an alternative for Iowa State University wordmark materials, such as external communications, websites, and other branded communications
  • Use of the seal must be approved by University Marketing and Communications