Academic Logotypes

Formal and informal logotypes have been created for academic units within USC and are available for download to USC faculty and staff (including student staff) with a usc.edu email account. Additional information is available in our Branded Merchandise section for Athletic and Spirit marks. 


Formal unit logotypes are lockups created by combining the following elements.

USC Monogram + Academic Unit Name + Descriptor

USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism formal unit logotype
  1. USC Monogram
  2. Academic Unit Name
  3. Descriptor

Informal unit logotypes are lockups created by combining the following elements.

USC Monogram + Academic Unit Name

USC Annenberg informal unit logotype
  1. USC Monogram
  2. Academic Unit Name

How to Request an Official USC Logotype

To create an official USC academic or administrative logotype for your subunit, department or program, please complete and submit a USC University Communications Creative Services Project Request form. Please note the following:

  • The university does not create unique logotypes that do not follow brand guidelines for official logotypes.
  • Primary logotypes are reserved for academic schools, senior leadership and primary administrative units (Libraries, Housing, etc…)
  • All other subunits and departments will be created as subunit logotypes under the primary academic or administrative logotypes.
  • The university does not create logotypes for Masters Programs and initiatives.

Download

The marks and logotypes are available for download to USC faculty and staff (including student staff) with a usc.edu email account. These assets are protected by university policy and trademark law, are not to be altered or changed, and their use is restricted to official university business in accordance with brand guidelines. If you have any questions, contact identity@usc.edu.


How to Download: 

  • Click on the link to download the logotype.
  • You will then be prompted to sign-in to continue to the USC Google Drive.
  • Enter your USC email account (i.e.), @usc.edu.
  • You will then be prompted to login with your USC NetID (username) and password on USC Shibboleth.
  • Please note: Using your Gmail or other external email accounts, will not allow you to access the system to download files. You must have a usc.edu email account and use your USC NetID login to access the system.

Informal


Formal


Super Formal


Clear Space

The university marks and logotypes need to be legible and not crowded by other elements. To ensure that the marks and logotypes are highly visible we create clearspace to keep them separate from their surroundings. Do not allow any other graphic elements into this area of isolation. In addition, the elements of the USC Graphic Identity Program should not be placed over a photograph or patterned background if it reduces its legibility. 

How to determine the Clear Space when your width is greater than the height:
The area of isolation or minimum required space surrounding the Academic Logotype should be half the height of the logotype.

USC Dornsife formal academic logotype with clear space

How to determine the Clear Space when the height is equal to or greater than the width:
The area of isolation or minimum required space surrounding the Academic Logotype should be one quarter of the height of the logotype.

USC Dornsife subunit academic logotype with height adjusted clear space

Minimum Size

Logotypes with sub-units should not be sized smaller than the measurements shown below. These are the limits of legibility for the sub lines. No maximum use restrictions.

USC Dornsife 1.3-inch minimum size sub-unit academic logotype
USC Dornsife 1.75-inch minimum size sub-unit academic logotype
USC Dornsife 0.68-inch minimum size sub-unit academic logotype
USC Dornsife 0.85-inch minimum size sub-unit academic logotype

Do Nots

Marks and Logotypes should not be altered in any way or placed on busy backgrounds or colors that reduce legibility. If a mark or logotype is placed over a photograph or background texture it should not diminish its readability. 

USC Dornsife do not stretch or distort academic logotype
 
USC Dornsife do not use unapproved colors academic logotype
 
USC Dornsife do not use unapproved colors academic logotype
 
USC Dornsife do not place academic logotype on non-legible background
 
USC Dornsife do not place academic logotype on busy background
 
USC Dornsife do not place academic logotype on busy background