Northern Kentucky University Brand Guidelines

Location
Highland Heights, KY
Established
1968
Mascot
Victor E. Viking
Code
NKY_NCAA
League
NCAA
Licensing Agency
CLC
Northern Kentucky University

Official Brand Colors

Official University Color Palette

Fill Pattern Color Usage

Fashion Colors on Products

Logos & Marks

NKU Norse, full color variant, cell 1
Primary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Norse, reverse on black variant, cell 2
Primary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Norse, black and white variant, cell 3
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Norse, gold variant, cell 4
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Norse, white on black variant, cell 5
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Institutional Mark, horizontal, black and gold variant, cell 7
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Institutional Mark, horizontal, white on black variant, cell 8
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Institutional Mark, horizontal, black variant, cell 9
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Institutional Mark, horizontal, white on black variant, cell 10
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Institutional Mark, stacked, black and gold variant, cell 11
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Institutional Mark, stacked, white on black variant, cell 12
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Institutional Mark, stacked, black variant, cell 13
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Institutional Mark, stacked, white on black variant, cell 14
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Flame Mark, black and gold variant, cell 15
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Flame Mark, white on black variant, cell 16
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Flame Mark, black variant, cell 17
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Flame Mark, white on black variant, cell 18
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
Victor E. Viking, line art variant, cell 19
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
Victor E. Viking, full color variant, cell 20
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
School Seal, black variant, cell 21
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU College of Arts & Sciences, horizontal variant, cell 22
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU College of Education, horizontal variant, cell 23
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU College of Informatics, horizontal variant, cell 24
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Haile College of Business, horizontal variant, cell 25
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU W. Frank Steely Library, horizontal variant, cell 26
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU College of Arts & Sciences, stacked variant, cell 27
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU College of Education, stacked variant, cell 28
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU College of Informatics, stacked variant, cell 29
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Haile College of Business, stacked variant, cell 30
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU W. Frank Steely Library, stacked variant, cell 31
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU SOTA School of the Arts, horizontal variant, cell 32
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU College of Health & Human Services, horizontal variant, cell 33
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Grant County, horizontal variant, cell 34
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Honors College, horizontal variant, cell 35
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU SOTA School of the Arts, stacked variant, cell 36
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU College of Health & Human Services, stacked variant, cell 37
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Grant County, stacked variant, cell 38
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Honors College, stacked variant, cell 39
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
NKU Chase College of Law, standard variant, cell 40
Secondary LogoLast Updated : 5/22/2026
Northern Kentucky Athletics, gold and black variant, cell 6
WordmarkLast Updated : 5/22/2026

Approved Verbiage

Rules & Guidelines

hard rule

Font Usage

If you choose to use 'Northern Kentucky University' or 'NKU' without a University logo, you must use one of the approved University fonts. Exceptions may be granted for national brands and trends. Contact the NKU Chief Marketing Officer.

hard rule

Northern and Kentucky Sizing

"Northern" and "Kentucky" at least must be the same size. "University" can appear either at the same size, or smaller.

hard rule

Northern Kentucky Verbiage Usage

"Northern Kentucky" should always appear with the word "University" following unless accompanied by a University logo or you are using the Athletics word mark.

hard rule

Font Choice with Logo

"Northern Kentucky University" or "NKU" may appear in a font of choice with an approved University logo.

hard rule

Logo Over Patterns Restriction

The University logos may not be used over patterns or competing designs.

hard rule

Logo Safe Area Requirement

A reasonably sized safe area must be used around the logo. The logo should not directly touch another design element.

hard rule

Athletics Mark with Academic Program Restriction

The Athletics marks should not be used with specific academic program references. For example, the Athletics mark should not be used with "Chase College of Law."

hard rule

Department Name Placement

If designing for a specific academic office or department, the name should be listed underneath the NKU logo.

hard rule

Athletics Marks and Fonts Usage Restriction

Athletics marks, mascot marks (Victor) and Athletics fonts are for reserved exclusively for promoting NKU's NCAA athletic teams.

hard rule

School Seal Usage Restriction

Only used for president and commencement related items