Samford University Brand Guidelines

Academic logos can only be in Samford navy or white.

Academic wordmark logos can only be in the Samford navy or white.

Spirit logos are offered in full-color and one-color versions. The full-color version is always preferred.

The spirit wordmark is offered in full-color and one-color. The full-color version is preferred.

The bulldog can be used alone, but this must be done in conjunction with a reference to “Samford” or “Samford University.” The bulldog cannot be “locked up” with any other mark. If the bulldog and the spirit wordmark will be close in proximity, use the full logo instead. The bulldog cannot be used to represent academic units in print or electronic pieces.

The bulldog and bell tower symbols cannot be used in the same application to avoid competing visual imagery.

The one-color bulldog in navy should be used on white and gray backgrounds. The one-color bulldog in white must be used on dark backgrounds, specifically navy and red. Do not reverse the one-color (navy) bulldog.

Minimum clear space is the height of the “S” in “Samford.” For the bulldog logo, the clear zone should be roughly equivalent to the size of the bulldog’s head. Elements of the different marks cannot be combined to make a new mark. Regardless of the clear zone rule, elements of different marks cannot be close in proximity to each other. These elements cannot appear to be locked up to create a new look.

The minimum size for both the horizontal and vertical orientations of the logo for print and digital applications is 1” or 96 pixels.

The academic and spirit logos can exist on four background colors, all of which are in the official color palette. Never alter the logos to be all red, all gray or all black.

Department-specific logos are limited to a select number of departments that are required to display their department name on apparel and specialty items. These logos have been created and distributed to appropriate departments.

Administrative units that consist of one word (for example, Admission) are required to have “Office of” in front of the unit’s name. Any unit that consists of at least two words is not required to have “Office of” for space and consistency.

Do not attempt to typeset any logo.

The sport-specific spirit mark includes the bulldog symbol, spirit wordmark and team’s name. With this full logo, the team’s name is right justified under the wordmark. But when using the wordmark, which drops the bulldog symbol, the team’s name should be centered under “Samford.”

The seal is not available for use without written permission from the Office of the President.

All business cards are two-sided and are 3.5" x 2".

The academic logo and school-specific logos are featured on all academic letterhead and envelopes. The sport-specific wordmark is featured on all athletics letterhead, and the spirit mark is featured on envelopes.

University logos cannot appear intentionally distressed.

University logos are considered locked marks, and they cannot be altered or modified in any way. Do not attempt to typeset unit-specific logos.

Designs are rejected when branded elements are overly repeated, like the spirit logo is used in a design along with “Samford Bulldogs” in display text.

Branded elements should appear on clean or simple backgrounds that do not visually compete with the artwork. Rejected patterns include animal prints, multicolor tie-dye and overly repeated icons.

Generally, apparel and merchandise that incorporate sequins, glitter or other embellishments alongside branded elements are not approved.

Alcohol-specific glassware, like shot glasses, and undergarments, like bras and bandeaus, will be immediately denied.

Samford Athletics is permitted to use the solo bulldog—with no reference to Samford University—on uniforms, apparel and promotional graphics when used within a game day context. This also applies to graphics that appear on athletics fields, game signage and scoreboards.

Samford announced it had retired its secondary spirit marks, including its SAM-Dot and SAM-U logo. These marks should not be used in any manner or for any purpose.

Club teams are not permitted to create their own mascot or emblems.