FSU’s brand identity is one of our most valuable assets and is recognized worldwide.
To maintain brand consistency, a six-level system has been established. Any logo variations must be approved in advance by University Marketing.
Primary Institutional Identity
Restricted-Use Trademarks
Academic
Identity
Institutional
Sub-Brands
Marketplace
Sub-Brands
Affiliated Organizations
Level One
Primary Institutional Identity
This is FSU’s main identity and must be used for everything—from grant applications, letterhead, nametags, email signatures and business cards to signage, FSU buses and advertising. Maintaining a consistent graphic identity is essential across all platforms representing Florida State University. To ensure consistent reproduction, always use approved digital artwork, which is available online or from University Marketing.
FSU Wordmark
As of 07/01/2024, the FSU wordmark is the primary visual identifier for the university.
- The FSU wordmark should primarily be reproduced in garnet and gold. Approved color variations are shown.
- For promotional or retail products (ex. apparel) the wordmark must include a registered trademark symbol.
FSU Formal Lockup
The formal lockup should primarily be used for general audiences or audiences that may not have high brand awareness of FSU.
- All guidelines for the FSU wordmark apply to the lockup.
FSU Vertical Lockup
The vertical lockup can be used when space is limited.
- All guidelines for the FSU wordmark apply to the lockup.
Do not alter or distort (squeeze, stretch, crop, etc.) the wordmark.
- Do not remove or separate any part of the wordmark.
- Only use approved color variations for the wordmark.
- Ensure that each color variation of the wordmark is only used on backgrounds that are accessible in color.
- Do not use the seal for any purpose, unless you have received prior approval to do so.
- Athletic marks (e.g., the Seminole Head and Spearhead) may only be used by athletics.
Level Two
Restricted-Use Marks
In order to protect our brand, some marks may only be used by specific university entities.
Florida State University Seal
The university seal cannot be used in place of the official university logo (wordmark).
The official seal is held sacred and may only be used for:
- Commencement, diplomas, certificates, official transcripts, continuing education certificates and honorary degrees
- Official use by the President, Provost or Registrar
- As part of the unique, joint college logo for FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
- Library books
- Significant faculty life events, as determined by the Office of Faculty Development and Advancement
- Highest-level honors or awards from the university (e.g. Lifetime Achievement Award or Hall of Fame induction)
The seal may not be altered or reproduced in any way. The three torches on the seal are an integral part of this registered mark and must not be removed and used in isolation.
Athletic Marks
The following trademarked logos may only be used by athletics and for retail purposes as determined by the Office of Trademark & Licensing.
The registered marks may not be altered or reproduced in any way.
Heritage Turquoise may not be used outside of the Nike N7 relationship, as this signifies our relationship with and respect for Indigenous people. No university-affiliated group may use this color for any purpose, including but not limited to: accent color, t-shirt color, admissions materials or social media posts.
Entities Approved to Use Athletic Marks
- FSU Bands, including Marching Chiefs, Seminole Sound: Permitted to use key athletic marks under the direction of the AD, as they are critical part of the fan experience.
- Student Veterans Alliance: Permitted to use the registered interlocking baseball FS and spearhead as part of the organization’s own registered mark.
Level Three
Academic Identity
These marks pair the FSU identity with a college, division, school, department or office and provides university-wide graphic unity. All logos at this level must be created by University Marketing.
- All guidelines for the FSU lockup apply to level three marks.
- Taglines or other visual elements must not appear to be part of the lockup.
Download Lockups Here Request a New Lockup
Every college, school, department and center/institute has a custom set of lockups. The different options can be used interchangeably at the discretion of the Dean or department head. We have provided specific color variations that are available on Brandfolder to match the wordmark variations. The unit name must be the same color as the outer color of the wordmark.
College/Department Formal Lockup
The formal college/department lockup pairs the FSU wordmark with the full name of the unit including a designation like "college of," "department of" or "division of." The name may not exceed three lines.
College/Department Casual Lockup
The casual college/department lockup pairs the FSU wordmark with a shortened or casual name of the department. This should use the colloquial name and never include words like “department of” or “school of”. The name may not exceed two lines.
Formal with Hierarchy
In certain circumstances, it is necessary for a department, center, institute or school to be tied back to the overarching college or top-level unit.
Vertical Lockups
Vertical lockups have been provided. The addition of the college name is optional.
Named Colleges
Named colleges are addressed individually between the Provost, appropriate Dean and the CMO.
Level Four
Institutional Sub-Brands
This broad group of sub-brands includes university-wide initiatives, signature events, campus art galleries and specific centers and institutes that legally require separate branding. All marks at this level must be approved by University Marketing.
Level four marks must:
- Adhere to university color policies
- Include the words “Florida State University” or the FSU wordmark
Signature Events
Signature events include:
- Advancement Comprehensive Campaigns
- Discovery Days
- Family Weekend
- FSU Day at the Capitol
- FSU Great Give
- FirstGen Weekend & Summer Seminoles
- Homecoming/Seminole Heritage
- Horizons Unlimited
- New Student Orientation
- Nole Fest (Panama City)
- President's Ice Cream Social
- President's Symposium
- Welcome Week
University Initiatives
University-wide initiatives include:
- IGNITE
- FSU Panama City ASCENT
- FSU Votes
- InSPIRE
- LiveWell
- Significant Anniversaries (e.g., FSU 175th Anniversary)
Approved Co-brands
- OLLI
- OMA
- LSI
Sub-brands that do not require additional FSU branding
- Art Galleries (on campus)
- Campus Recreation
- Circus
- Marching Chiefs
- Veterans Alliance
- JMI for Global Entrepreneurship
Request New Institutional Sub-Brand
To request institutional sub-brand please submit it here for review.
The necessity for separate branding must be reviewed and approved by the Provost and CMO.
Level Five
Marketplace Sub-Brands
These brands have significant recognition beyond Florida State University or are separate legal entities associated with FSU.
Sub-brand marks must be registered as trademarks and include reference to Florida State University.
All marks at this level must be approved by Cabinet.
FSU marketplace sub-brands include:
- FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
- FSU Health
- FSU Film (production company)
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab)
- Opening Nights
- The Ringling
- Torchlight Studios
- WFSU
Request New Marketplace Sub-Brand
If you believe your brand should be categorized as a marketplace sub-brand, please submit it for approval.
The request for separate branding must be reviewed and approved by the Provost and CMO.
Level Six
Affiliated Organizations
Florida State University affiliated organizations consist of Alumni Groups and Registered Student Organizations, including Sport Clubs. Affiliated organizations must not imply the endorsement of the university.
- Cannot use athletic trademarks (including the Seminole Head, Unconquered font or any other tribal pattern)
- Name should clearly indicate the distinction between the organization and the relationship to the university
Registered Student Organizations
FSU has over 600 student organizations that cover a wide range of interests that make FSU feel like home to many of our students. The Office of Student Organizations and Involvement supports and governs these RSOs. Each RSO can create its own logo/identity and the university's name may appear at the end of the organizations name if desired.
Recognized Student Organizations
- May create an independent logo/identity
- Logos must be aproved through NoleCentral
- If referenced, FSU must be at the end of the organization's name (e.g. "Surf Club at FSU", not "FSU Surf Club")
- All merchandise must be ordered through a licensed vendor
- RSOs must include the word “club” or similar identifier in the name and logo
- RSOs may NEVER use registered trademarks
Sport Clubs
- Names must include the word "club" and cannot imply affiliation with the FSU athletic department.
- May not use any athletic trademark except the spearhead
- All jerseys and merchandise must be ordered through a licensed vendor
Alumni Groups
Alumni Clubs (Seminole Clubs)
All Seminole Clubs will receive a custom FSU Seminole Club lockup and can request a geographically specific logo aligned with the FSU brand.
Affinity Networks
Alumni affinity groups may create custom logos. All affinity group names must clearly indicate that it is an alumni group and include Florida State University or FSU after their name. All logos must be approved by the Alumni Association and University Marketing.
Co-Branding Guidelines
Overview: Co-Branding is the marketing of a product or service under two or more brand names. Co-branding may be necessary for collaborations between different colleges and departments at FSU or collaborations between University-affiliated organizations and outside organizations.
Co-Branding Internally: When collaborating with other colleges or departments at FSU, you should do the following:
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2-3 colleges or department should use horizontal or vertical lockups as shown in alphabetical order:
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4+ colleges or departments should simply use the FSU wordmark as shown:
Co-Branding Externally: When collaborating with organizations outside of FSU you should do the following:
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Vertical lockup with FSU wordmark or department lockup, line, other organization’s logo as shown. If more than one department of FSU is in collaboration, please use the FSU wordmark.
Co-Branding Internationally: When co-branding with international organizations, please use the spelled out Florida State University vertical lockup, line, the logo of the international organization as shown:
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Vertical lockup with FSU wordmark or department lockup, line, other organization’s logo as shown. If more than one department of FSU is in collaboration, please use the FSU wordmark.
Resources:
DON’T:
- NEVER use the spelled out Florida State University lockup UNLESS it is for an international event held outside of the United States.
- NEVER use two or more registered marks UNLESS you are co-branding with FAMU–FSU College of Engineering
- The Color of the separation line should be the same color as the outline as the wordmark.
Grant Branding Guidelines
Overall Synopsis:
Grants are projects, as opposed to departments or organizations. They are often funded by national organizations and aid important research that we want to ensure is attributed to FSU’s talented students and professors. To facilitate this, grants may utilize a unique mark since many have their own logo, some of which are necessary due to collaboration with other organizations or universities.
Logo Creation:
Grants may create their own individual logos, due to their unique and collaborative nature. They may not include any trademarked images or marks, unless permitted by the organization owning the trademark. A database of registered marks can be found on uspto.gov and FSU’s trademarks can be found under Restricted-Use Marks. Each unique logo must have a variation that is co-branded with FSU.
Co-branding:
Grants based or located at Florida State University must include the FSU wordmark as shown below. They must use either the garnet wordmark with a gold inlay or the black wordmark. The FSU wordmark will be significantly smaller and located below the individual logo to allow grants to retain their individuality and creative freedom. The wordmark will be either center- or left-aligned to naturally fit with the grant’s chosen logo. University Marketing can assist with logo design for organizations in need of support.
National grants with a fully separate legal identity or grant teams partnering with a different university are permitted to utilize a co-brand as shown under Co-Branding Guidelines.
When creating posters, graphics or other promotional items, the logo may be used without the FSU wordmark if the FSU wordmark or lockup of a sponsoring department is included somewhere on the design. The above logo variations (including the FSU wordmark) may be used as the primary identifying mark. This includes use on social media, email signatures, promotional items and other similar use cases.
Logo vs. Graphic Element
Logo (Identifying Mark)
University and department lockups are the only logos that may represent your school/college, office, department, center, institute, lab, program or other unit within FSU.
Graphic Element
Design elements and text used in marketing materials are considered a graphic and are not a logo.
Additional graphics may be designed to fit your needs as long as they are within brand policy (type, colors, etc.).
