All university organizations should utilize the University of Iowa logo in communications and promotional efforts. This consistency ensures that individual units are clearly associated with the university and reduces the potential for confusing external audiences.
To maintain brand consistency, the Office of Strategic Communication has developed a lockup system on which the official identification of all academic and administrative units should be based. Units should not attempt to develop their own logos, create their own lockups, or embellish a lockup in any way.
Lockup Generator
A lockup generator is available to help units quickly create working lockup files. Lockup submissions will move through workflow for approval by the Office of Strategic Communication. Once approved, they will be available for download. All approved lockups are searchable by category and can be downloaded as needed. Please contact osc-brand@uiowa.edu for assistance or questions.
Guidelines for Creating Lockups
- Unit names that exceed an approximate limit of 35 characters will use the alternate primary lockup format. Format options are shown below.
- Lockups will be provided as SVG vector files in black, gold, reversed, and two-color options. SVG files can be opened in Adobe Illustrator and converted to the file formats of your choice. Additionally, tools such as cloud convert are available.
- All units must use the full, formal name for their organization, including any prefixes (e.g., “Department of…”, “School of…”, “Office of…”).
- Special characters, ampersands, and acronyms are not permitted.
- Do not include unit contact information (address, phone number, email, etc.).
- Sponsorship language should not be included in the lockup format. Do not create lockups for sponsor listings. See cosponsorship section below for guidelines.
Lockup Formats:
Lockup Usage
- Lockups should follow the usage guidelines outlined on the logo page.
- Lockups allow units to leverage the university brand and enhance their profile as part of a larger institution. Lockups are not intended to serve as titles, mastheads, or the primary visual focus of any piece of communication. Each program’s unique offerings and differentiators should be explored in content, not through logos or graphics.
- Do not use a lockup in a website header; all university-hosted websites already include the brand bar with the university logo at the top of the page.
- Lockups should not be used on external advertising. Because those audiences tend to see all units as simply the University of Iowa, the primary logo lets units leverage the UI’s wide recognition while using strong headlines and content to communicate their unique message.
- Lockups should not be used in the university stationery system or campus signage; these templates are designed to display the unit name in plain text.
- Use only one lockup for each piece. If multiple units come together with a single message, use the primary logo. If multiple units come together to sponsor an event, follow the cosponsorship guidelines listed below.
Lockup Usage Examples:
Cosponsorship
When two or more units sponsor an event, the primary university logo should stand alone, and the sponsors should be listed alphabetically in plain text while respecting the clear space requirements of the logo. If necessary, use type style (size, color, weight, etc.) to denote different levels of sponsorship. Select fonts that complement the piece’s overall design.
- Do not include multiple lockups. Doing so causes unnecessary repetition of the UI logo, which lessens its visual impact.
- Do not use the lockup generator to create lockups with sponsor listings. Display of sponsorship information should be approached as part of the publications text content, not as part of a logo lockup.
- In most cases, unit names are unnecessary when indicating university sponsorship to external audiences. Because those audiences tend to see all units as simply the University of Iowa, the university logo should be used alone.
Events, Initiatives, and Campaigns
Unique graphics, illustrations, and type treatments are permitted for university events, initiatives, and limited-time communication campaigns. Examples include Theme Semester, We Are PHIL, Tier@IOWA, the UIAA 150th Anniversary, and Office of Admissions events like You@UI and OnIowa! Graphics of this kind should not incorporate or modify the university logo or any element of it.
Please note that event or campaign graphics should not replace the university logo. With the exception of promotional items where the imprint area is too small, the University of Iowa logo should still appear separately.
