Department/Program Logos

University programs reside within University departments. This applies to both academic and university-support programs.

For visual consistency, a brand-identity system is established to easily construct University-approved logos as new departments and programs become officially offered through the University.

To obtain University-approved logo artwork for your respective department or program, contact University Communications and Marketing.

Horizontal Format

Department and their Immediate Parent Entity names are placed to the right of the Abbreviated logo. For lengthy Department/Program names, the name may break naturally between words on two or more lines, keeping optimal readability in mind. The diagram below indicates the size and spatial relationship of the logo components.

Vertical Format

Department and Parent Entity names are placed below the Abbreviated logo. For lengthy Department/Program names, the name may break naturally between words on two or more lines, keeping optimal readability in mind. The diagram below indicates the size and spatial relationship of the logo components.

A “clear zone” is the minimum amount of space to remain free of other imagery such as text, photography, illustrations, color breaks or rule lines. This minimum space requirement also applies to page trim and folds.

The clear zone for MSU Denver Department/Program logos is proportional to the size of the logo.  Its border is determined by measuring from the outer edges of the logo to the distances indicated in the diagrams below.

Adhering to clear zone guidelines will best ensure legal protection of our logos by minimizing confusion as to their appearances.

The three main components of the department logos are:

• Abbreviated MSU Denver University Logo
• Department/Program Name
• Immediate Parent Entity Name (optional)

University Abbreviated Logo

• The Abbreviated logo in its vertical format should always be used in Department/Program logos.
• The “M” in the Abbreviated logo is the basis of all measurements and component placement in Department/Program logos.
• Learn more details about the MSU Denver Abbreviated Logo.

Department or Program Name

• Full Department/Program name is typeset in upper and lowercase
• Typeface: Univers 57 Condensed
• Height of the Capital letters is 75% the height of the “M” in the Abbreviated Logo.
• Line spacing: Leading is set to the same point size as the font size (set solid).
• For lengthy Department/Program names, the name may break naturally between words on two or more lines, keeping optimal readability in mind.
• Object Spacing: Space between the Department/Program name and the closest point of the Abbreviated logo is 50% of the height of the “M” in the Abbreviated Logo.

Immediate Parent Entity Name Details:

• Use of the Immediate Parent Entity name in the Department logo is optional
• Full Parent Entity Name is typeset in upper and lowercase
• Font: Universe 67 Bold Condensed
• Point size is 50% of the point size of the Department/Program name
• Line Spacing: Leading of the first line should be 64% of the point size of the Immediate Parent Entity name. For multiple-line Parent Entity names, line spacing of the second and subsequent lines of text should be the same point size as the Parent Entity name.
• For lengthy Parent Entity names, the name may break naturally between words on two or more lines, keeping optimal readability in mind.

Shown below is the minimum approved size for our Department/Program logos as measured from the width of the Roadrunner Symbol. If a size smaller than the approved is necessary, the Department/Program name is typeset in one of the approved support typefaces. See supported typefaces for more information under “Brand Typography”.

Minimum size: ½ inch (12.7mm, 36 pixels) as measured from the width of the Roadrunner Symbol.

Using Department of Psychology as the example, these are acceptable derivatives of our academic department or program names.

If the display area does not permit sufficient logo sizing, you may display the Department/Program name in upper and lowercase or in all caps. It must be typeset in one color in one of the typefaces from our approved type families: Univers, Gotham or Century Schoolbook. Contact University Communications and Marketing for approval of any typeface substitutions.

DO NOT display the Department/Program name in a two- or three-color solution to mimic the appearance of the academic department or program logo.

Mentioning Department/Program Names in Text

When mentioning Department/Program names in text, the University name will precede the Department/Program name separated by a comma in methods dependent upon the anticipated audience. For example:

• First reference:
  • For audiences who may not be familiar with the University:
    “Metropolitan State University of Denver, Department of Psychology”
  • For audiences likely to be familiar with the University:
    “MSU Denver, Department of Psychology”
• Subsequent references within the same application:
  • “Department of Psychology.”

Our Department/Program logos consist of specific hues of blue, red and gray. Accurate reproduction of these colors, referred to as MSU Denver Blue, MSU Denver Red and MSU Denver Gray, is critical to maintaining a consistent brand image. See Brand Colors for specific color formulas per media.

When a Department/Program 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.

Clear logo visibility is important for ensuring its integrity and the professional reputation of the University. All logo components must be easily discernible from the background on which they are displayed. The grayscale 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 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.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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 one-color positive logo should always be displayed entirely in MSU Denver blue or entirely in black on light- to mid-value backgrounds.  The one-color reverse logo should always be displayed in white on mid- to dark-value backgrounds.  The rendering of the Roadrunner Symbol is different between the positive and reverse versions so that the eye “reads correctly.”

Preserving the integrity of the MSU Denver brand is paramount. A visible method of preservation is through accurate and consistent display of our University Support 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 of potential misuses of our Department/Program 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.

Below is the approved and preferred appearance of our Department/Program Logos:

Below are just a few potential misuses of our logo. Avoid these misuses and others. If you have questions regarding correct logo use, contact University Communications and Marketing.