The University of Iowa is a robust and creative enterprise. Unique products and services that originate from our research, entrepreneurship, and creative activities distinguish our institution and advance its mission. Proper use of the Iowa brand will benefit the university overall while helping to effectively promote your offering.
Criteria and guidelines
Unique logos can be developed for specialized offerings that originate from or are supported by the university but are marketed to a separate and distinct audience relative to the primary academic, research, and service mission of the university. These offerings must have the resources necessary to successfully maintain, protect, and build their individual product brands.
Do:
- Leverage black and gold and follow color palette guidelines.
- Use official fonts for all communication copy. Other fonts can be explored for the design of the unique logo only.
- Use the block IOWA logo separately as a university brand endorsement that lends credibility to the offering.
Don’t:
- Don’t use the word “Iowa” when naming these types of offerings. This avoids redundancy within the branded environment and the temptation to appropriate the block IOWA logo or display “IOWA” in another typeface. Instead, focus the name on the purpose and value of the offering.
- Don’t use unique product logos to represent an academic or administrative unit.
- Don't use product logos on official stationery or in email signatures.
Appropriation prohibited
The block IOWA logo, secondary logos, or any element of an official logo, cannot be incorporated into unique product logos.
Exceptions to this rule include One Day for Iowa and On Iowa! event graphics.
Product and service logo examples
Unique product and service logos should prioritize the product name and use additional graphic elements or illustration to add context or lend meaning to the offering.
Curriculum toolkit and professional development program for high school business and marketing teachers
Live audio podcast series sponsored by International Programs
Stanley Museum of Art digital programming project for seniors living in long-term care facilities
Driving simulators developed by the Driving Safety Research Institute
Product and service usage examples
When product logos are used on merchandise and apparel, the block IOWA logo must appear in a second imprint. Follow university licensing process.
Affiliated unit lockups should appear in a secondary location, such as the back or bottom of a communication.
For sites hosted on the uiowa.edu domain, product logos should be displayed as on-page content so the Iowa brand bar and header remain consistent.
Don’t place the Iowa logo in the same imprint area as a product logo.
Product logos must not incorporate the block IOWA logo or the word “Iowa” typeset in a different font.
Don’t use off-brand colors in a dominant way. Product logos should leverage black and gold and follow secondary color percentages outlined in color guidelines.