Kent State University Brand Guidelines

The Kent State brand uses two different typefaces in both print and web. National is the main typeface used for headlines and body copy. Soho can be used as a secondary typeface. Source Sans Pro and Roboto Slab are Readily Accessible Web Typefaces that can be used.

Do not use bolts side-by-side. Do not use bolt with flat top. Avoid combining tiles to make shapes that look like common objects or checkerboard patterns. Do not use single mosaics. Use in sets of 3 at a minimum. Avoid overusing textures and creating illegible messages.

The Kent State University logo is our official identifier and is to be used on all forms of visual communications. The logo should be CLEARLY and PROMINENTLY displayed and may not be altered or reconfigured. THE LOGO MUST BEAR THE REGISTERED MARK and may not be used as part of a headline or running text. The complete logo may only be used as provided, without alteration, with the word UNIVERSITY at a minimum size of ONE INCH WIDE.

The Kent State University logo should contain a free space exactly the size of the K in Kent State surrounding the logo, including the sun graphic and word University. This applies to the logo at all sizes.

Never reproduce the logo with the word University at a length shorter than 1-INCH LONG for print, and the logo 30 PIXELS tall for horizontal digital and 45 PIXELS for stacked digital.

Do not alter logo color. Do not use portions of the logo separately or create other logos using the sunburst. Do not discard K height clearance or use unofficial logo colors. Do not distort the shape of the logo. Do not remove the sunburst from the logo. Do not move the location or alter the scale of the sunburst. Do not place logo in a space where there is not significant contrast from the background. Do not use effects on logo (Multiply, screen, etc.). In most cases a holding shape for the logo is preferred.

All uses for the UNIVERSITY K should be decorative. It should not be manipulated in any way or used in combination with other graphic elements. The University K should not be used in place of our official logo. The emblem can be used as a stand-alone graphic.

The emblem is offered in THREE COLOR OPTIONS: OPTION 1: Kent State Blue (Pantone 281), Kent State Gold (Pantone 124) and white; OPTION 2: Kent State Blue (Pantone 281) and white; OPTION 3: White. The area between the blue and gold is always a white or blue and never transparent. The logo art should not be altered and the colors should not be changed in any way.

The Kent State University seal indicates official sanction of the Office of the President and is reserved for use on limited communications pieces from the Board of Trustees, the Office of the President, the Executive Officers of the university and Deans. The seal does not provide the instant recognition offered by the university logo and, therefore, should not be used interchangeably with the Kent State logo. The seal should not be used in daily communications by departments or programs. The seal may not be altered or reconfigured in any way. Portions of the seal may not be used separately as art or design elements. All applications of the Kent State seal need to be approved by University Communications and Marketing.

The logos, nicknames and caricature of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics are for the use of Kent State athletics only. Special permission to use the athletics logos, nicknames and caricature by internal university entities may be granted by contacting the sports information director for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at 330-672-2110.

For Meta (Facebook, Instagram), use the blue background logo or K — it will automatically convert to the circle icon you see here. For X (Twitter), use the square version of the Kent State logo on the blue background. For TIK TOK, use the blue background logo or K — it will automatically convert to the circle icon you see here.

Individuals who are not employees, faculty or students of the university must sign a model release form – which can be acquired through the photo team or University Communications and Marketing.

Any t-shirt or apparel (clothing, outerwear) funded by Kent State is required to have Kent State®, Kent State University® or the university logo on the front.

The logo or text must be on the front of all t-shirt and apparel. The logo or text should be large enough to communicate the Kent State identity easily.

Choose legible and clear fonts for text on the t-shirt or apparel. The typography should complement the design and maintain readability.

Before finalizing any design, submit it to University Communications and Marketing for approval.