What defines a logo?
A logo is the simplest visual representation of an entity. It identifies the entity like a person’s name identifies the person. A logo may be a wordmark (a graphic created only from letters), an emblem (a graphic created with no words) or a combination of both. For the University of Georgia, only logos created by the Division of Marketing & Communications from the visual identity system are considered official. Never create alternate graphics to identify the university or its units.
What is a wordmark?
A wordmark is a distinct text-only typographic treatment that only features the name of an organization or institution. It does not contain images, icons, or emblems.
What is a logo configuration?
A logo configuration is a graphic representation that includes logo elements and unit identifier(s) arranged in a specific manner to show hierarchy, purpose or priority.
Who can use university-level logos?
University-level logos have been made available for public download. However, usage must comply with trademark policy.
Who can use unit logos?
University trademark policy also applies to individual unit logos. Contact the logo liaison for each unit for usage approval and access.
Can student groups use university trademarks (including logos)?
A student group’s access to university trademarks is determined by the group’s status. Four categories of student group statuses exist. See the Student Affairs trademark approval process.
What is the difference between a logo and a trademark?
A trademark is any graphic or verbiage legally registered and owned by an entity. Logos are a specific type of university trademark.
What is considered an alteration of the university’s logos?
Any artwork identifying the university, its units, or any part of the University of Georgia wordmark other than our institutional logo system is considered an alteration and is prohibited.
What is the purpose of the trademark symbols on university logos, marks, and verbiage?
The trademark symbol (™ or ®) shows that the University of Georgia claims legal rights to the logo as part of its brand identity.
- ™ indicates the university is asserting trademark rights and plans to, or is in the process of, securing federal registration.
- ® indicates the mark has completed the federal review process and is officially registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Using the correct symbol signals our ownership and commitment to protecting our marks, deters unauthorized use, and helps safeguard the university’s reputation and brand value by making our claim of rights visible to the public.
Can I remove the trademark symbol (™ or ®) from university logos?
No. Trademark symbols must be kept intact on all logos to protect the university’s reputation.
Why is clear space important? How is it defined?
Clear space protects the integrity of logos. When text or other graphics are placed too closely to a logo, it becomes difficult to recognize what is part of the logo and what is not. Over time, such misuse weakens the recognizability of the logo and the entity it represents. If, for example, a non-university entity’s name is placed too closely to the university logo on an event advertisement, the viewer can mistake the outside entity as part of the university instead of as a separate partner.
For ease of use, clear space guidelines have been derived directly from the logos’ characteristics. Keep in mind that these are minimum requirements, and using more clear space is encouraged when possible.