University Branding

The correct application of the university brand logos greatly depends on the background colors. A key guideline in the application is the interior of the KS monogram must be lighter than the first outer stroke. Please see below examples of the application of the brand. 

The full-color logo is preferred and should be used whenever possible. Versions of black and white lettering are available for background color application of the brand. Full-color printing is required of the brand if full colors are used in the overall design. If printing on alternate color backgrounds, other than black, gold, gray, or white, the logo must appear in one color, all white. Some full color applications of the brand on alternate colors will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The two-color master brand logo does not include a gray stroke and can be used on both white and gray backgrounds. Two-color versions are available for instances of printing limitations. When possible, the full-color version is preferred. Dark backgrounds such as black require full color or white one-color application.

The black one-color logo should be used on light or soft color backgrounds, such as white, gray or gold. The interior of the KS monogram must be lighter than the first outer stroke. If printing on alternate color backgrounds, other than black, gold, gray, or white, the brand must appear in one color, all white.

The all-white one-color option must be used on darker-colored backgrounds. The interior of the KS monogram must be lighter than the first outer stroke. If printing on alternate color backgrounds, other than black, gold, gray, or white, the brand must appear in one color, all white.

All-white logo can also be reproduced in all gold as illustrated below

• 

  Our primary colors should be present in all communications.
• Never use our complementary colors as primaries; they were developed to complement our core colors, not to overtake them.
• Try to limit the use of complementary colors to less than 10% of overall design.
• A maximum of two complementary colors at a time is encouraged.
• However, when the need to differentiate parts of complex content arises, additional complementary colors can be added thoughtfully and sparingly.
• Provide high contrast for accessibility purposes. Ensure that color contrast passes accessibility standards.

• 

  Provide high contrast. Our communications must be created to be accessible to all.
• Ensure that color contrast passes accessibility standards.
• Legibility is paramount. Check your color combinations for body copy and headlines.

Acceptable Content 

Content should promote University activities, events and educational opportunities. Material should be informative and of interest to students, faculty, staff and visitors. Content must comply with local, state and federal laws and any applicable policies, rules and regulations of Kennesaw State University

Examples of acceptable content include:

• Athletic Events;
• Lectures;
• Art exhibits;
• Concerts, plays or theater performances;
• Admission events and campus tours;
• Summer camps;
• University-level advertising campaigns and branding messages
• Campaign initiatives developed by the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing aimed at recruitment and/or enhanced brand awareness;
• Campus-wide messaging to include, events and other important information approved by the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing.

Laws governing the University’s non-profit status would suggest that no commercial (for-profit) individuals or institutions be promoted through a University medium such as Digital Signage. The University does not allow for paid advertising (commercials or endorsements) but does provide consideration for its corporate sponsors and underwriters where deemed appropriate by the Office of Advancement and the Office of Communications and Marketing. 

The university does not permit advertising of the following:

• Any event that promotes illegal activities or violates any University, local, state or federal laws or policies;
• Alcoholic beverages, tobacco or tobacco related products, drugs;
• Weapons;
• Any item perceived by the university to promote obscene or objectionable items;
• Competing services of university assets, such as housing, and dining;
• Political entities relating to campus, local, statewide, or national elections;
• Religious entities;
• Any event NOT open to the general public;
• Events that do not appeal to a wide University Community audience;
• Messages from non-affiliated Kennesaw State organizations;
• No classified ads (cars/apartments/bicycles/computers, etc.);
• No personal messages (one person to another)

Additionally, contents of all Digital Signage under University jurisdiction (i.e., housed on University servers) must comply with local, state and federal laws and with Kennesaw State University’s policies, rules, and regulations. 

Standard Business Card

The standard business card is for use by all faculty and staff members. Please note that due to the limited space on business cards, all orders are reviewed and approved by the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing to ensure that only pertinent information is presented.

Option 1 permits::

•  Three lines for a title
• Three lines for brand extension or sub-brand names or two lines for brand extension or sub-brand name and one line for department website (website must be 20 characters or less).
• Seven lines of text in the address and contact information section.

Option 2 permits:

• Two lines for a title
• Two lines for department brand extension or sub-brand name
• Two lines for building names
• Three lines for location and address information

Option 3 permits:

• Two lines for a title
• Two lines for department brand extension or sub-brand name
• Two lines for building names
• Three lines for location and address information
• QR code on the back

Option 4 permits:

• Two lines for a title
• Two lines for department brand extension or sub-brand name
• Two lines for building names
• Three lines for location and address information
• QR code on the front

Guidelines for Adding a QR Code:

• QR code information is restricted to official kennesaw.edu web addresses only. QR codes with graphics, contact information, and non-university URLs are not permitted.
• Enter a kennesaw.edu web address (URL) for the website you wish to use in the Department Website field.
• Use short URLs when possible. Some longer URLs may generate a QR code that does not fit in the allotted space. To allow for more space, we suggest dropping prefixes such as (http:// and www.) to shorten the URL.
• If your QR code doesn't display properly, try using the size adjustment option provided in the portal.
• TEST your QR code using the onscreen proof with your smart device to make sure it opens the website you want before you add the card to your shopping cart.

Student Business Card
Students are allowed to distribute business cards using the institutional logo for academic purposes only. To qualify for a student business card, students must meet the following criteria:

• Be sponsored by an academic department or program.
• Hold a leadership position/role within a registered student organization (RSO).

This includes graduate research assistants, master’s, and Ph.D. candidates. The card must feature “Student” under the individual’s name. Please note students wishing to produce cards for personal purposes are unauthorized to use institutional marks when doing so. All requests for student business cards must be submitted for approval to the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing at stationery@kennesaw.edu. Approval must be obtained prior to production.

Standard Letterhead
The standard letterhead is used for official university correspondence by all colleges, departments and administrative units. The letterhead must have the university’s logo on the top and the unit information at the bottom. The university’s website is to be used at all times.

Monarch Letterhead
The monarch letterhead is used primarily for informal, interoffice correspondence. 

Business reply envelopes must be approved by KSU Postal Services

The Kennesaw State’s master brand is to be used on all permanent employee name tags and any volunteer name tags used for board meetings, conferences, workshops and other events.

Name tag colors can consist of black, gold, gray or white. We have four versions of name tags. Provided are a formal option, made with brushed metal, and a casual option made with plastic. Please note that brushed metal will fade and scratch more frequently. Name tag information should only include the Kennesaw State Master Brand logo, the individual’s name, and either the college, department or unit name. Brand extension and sub-brand logos will not be accepted. All artwork must be submitted for approval to designapproval.kennesaw.edu.

The Kennesaw State’s master brand is to be used on table covers and table runners. Tablecloth colors can consist of black, gold, gray or white. Brand extension and sub-brand logos will not be accepted. College, department and unit information can be displayed under the master brand with the allotted protected space required. All artwork must be submitted for approval to designapproval.kennesaw.edu.

Tablecloths will have:

• 5” wide horizontal master brand logo centered
• 25” clear space below master brand logo
• 5” department, unit or college name in Montserrant Medium font centered

If two lines of text are required, leading should be a minimum of 1” between text lines.

The university's master brand and/or approved brand extensions and sub-brands must be prominently placed on the left chest area of uniforms.  Uniforms colors can consist of black, gold, grey or white, unless industry standards require alternate colors. Additional approved graphic elements may be placed on such apparel, but not as a replacement for the university's approved marks. Location of the university brand on promotion pieces with approved graphics will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All artwork must be submitted for approval to https://stratcomm.kennesaw.edu/project-request.

• University logo must be present.
• Logo must be on the left chest if only the logo or graphic are present
• Department or program name can be located on other areas of garment, but the university logo must be present
• If campaign graphic or graphics are used, the appropriate logo can be placed on the sleeve or back of the shirt.
• Black, gold, gray, white preferred colors for apparel, although alternate colors are accepted if an event or a campaign theme is used.
• If print space is to small university name can be used, but university identity must be present.

Non-apparel items, ranging from pens, stress balls, lapel pins, lanyards, bags,
drinkware, etc, commonly have a limited print space. Therefore, we must
accommodate based on print space allowed for the product.

• University identity is always
  required. If print space does not allow
  enough space for the university logo
  (preferred), the name of the institution
  (Kennesaw State University) can be
  used instead.
• Department/program names and
  campaign slogans can be featured in
  other print spaces on the product.

The suppliers listed below are the preferred source(s) for promotional products as they have been awarded through a State-mandated competitive procurement process.  In compliance with KSU's Visual Identity Program, the suppliers listed are licensed through the university licensing agent, Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC).  If these suppliers do not meet your promotional items needs, you may select another supplier, registered with Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), once justification documentation is submitted indicating the following:
 
If the requester prefers to use an alternate source, the College University Procurement Officer (CUPO) or Director of Contract Management may waive the use of the University Contract based on one of the following conditions below:

• The Buyer Partner demonstrates that the University Contractor will not lower their price to match or be within 10 percent of the pricing of the non-contracted vendor.
• The cost savings from the non-contracted supplier is 10 percent or more.
• The product or service is needed quickly and cannot be delivered by the University contractor at the time needed.

Halo Branded Solutions, Inc.

Contact: Dianne Helliwell Peters

T: 770.321.4747

E: dianne.helliwell@halo.com

www.halo.com

 

Smiling Cross dba Smile Promotions

Contact: Rula Hanania

T: 812.219.9749

F: 800.353.2608

E: rhanania@smilepromotions.com

www.smilepromotions.com

 

Club Colors

Contact: Willis Brei

T: 847.794.5496

E: wbrei@clubcolors.com

www.shop.ccbrands.com

 

Participation in conferences, trade shows, college fairs and other public events is a prime opportunity to reinforce the university’s visual identity. As such, the university’s brand should be prominently displayed on all materials. All artwork must be submitted for approval to https://stratcomm.kennesaw.edu/project-request/

Exhibits and Display

The university’s brand should be prominently displayed on all exhibit and display materials, including, but not limited to, table-top displays, stand banners, pull-up banners and booth exhibits. In most instances, the official logo should appear on the top or lead panel of the display.

Podium Signage

The university’s master brand should be prominently displayed on podiums for press conferences, convocations, symposiums and other major presentations and events held on campus. Podium signage featuring the official seal is only to be used by the Office of the President.

It is important that Kennesaw State University project an image of excellence and cohesiveness to all of our audiences. This guide establishes consistent visual usage of the official Kennesaw State University logo and brand. The logos and official university names have registered trademark protection, and any use of the logos or official university names other than those identified in this guide is prohibited.

The Kennesaw State University visual identity programs establishes official policy and standards for the design of Kennesaw State publications, stationery, signage and other applications, including the web.

This KSU visual identity style guide outlines specific rules and standards to be followed by authors and editors. Adhering to these standards will help ensure that communications from every college, department and office speak with a clear and uniform voice that best represents the image and brand of Kennesaw State University.

The proper use of the KSU brand logos and university name must be used consistently across campus including signage, presentation and electronic media.

This section outlines guidelines for brand usage in the following areas: signage, photography, video, social, web, and other uses.

Publication, Print Media and Web Use

Use of the university’s brand, that include university logo, name, and other brand identifiers, must be reviewed by the Office of Communications and Marketing. Please submit approval requests to https://www.kennesaw.edu/stratcomm/project-request/

Web Usage

University names, the official logo and other university trademarks are restricted to official university use only. Personal webpages are not permitted to display the official logo or university trademarks. Nor may such pages use the university’s name in a manner that would lead the web reader to perceive that the webpage is an official university page.

Resale and Other Commercial Use of University Logos

Kennesaw State’s name and trademarks may be used solely with the permission of Kennesaw State. Items offered for sale to the public bearing the University’s name and trademarks must be licensed.

Items manufactured for internal use (by students, staff, or affiliates) must be approved and must be manufactured by an officially licensed vendor. If a licensee is not used, the university may not approve funding for the order.

A list of licensed vendors can be found at

https://www.kennesaw.edu/trademark-licensing/licensed-vendors.php

For information on obtaining a Kennesaw State license, please contact CLC https://clc.com/

Official student organizations are required to use a licensee to produce any merchandise or apparel with the Kennesaw State name and/or trademarks. Student organizations must request and obtain approval to use the university’s names, logos or symbols on commercial goods and specialty items. This includes merchandise used within the organization (staff shirts, pens, etc.), given as gifts, or sold. Registered student organizations may represent themselves as agents of the university and use names, official logos or symbols of the university with the written consent of Office of Communications and Marketing. Requests and artwork must be submitted for approval to Office of Communications and Marketing at https://www.kennesaw.edu/stratcomm/project-request/

Exemptions For Design Approval

Design approval is not required for academic materials produced for scholarly presentation (e.g., peer-reviewed articles, poster presentations, oral presentations, PowerPoint presentations, etc.).

For publications and materials of this nature that employ the university’s logo, the author/creator is asked to comply fully with the university’s visual identity standards by following the logo usage guidelines as outlined in the Official Logo Policy.

All materials that fall outside of this academic/scholarly work exemption should be submitted to https://www.kennesaw.edu/stratcomm/project-request/

Student Organizations

Registered student organizations (RSO) may represent themselves as agents of the university and use official affiliate level, official logos or symbols of the university with the written consent of Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing. Requests and artwork must be submitted for approval to Office of Communications and Marketing at https://www.kennesaw.edu/stratcomm/project-request/ Approval must be received prior to printing, manufacturing and distributing.

To assist in the approval process, the RSO must submit a copy of its current logo at the time it applies for registration or renewal. Requests or artwork that do not reflect the logo on file will not be approved.

Student organizations are not permitted to use the university’s official seal or KS monogram that does not include institutional name lock-up.

Student organizations are not allowed to alter the spirit marks without permission from Trademark Licensing Program. Student organization logos must have the words “Student Organization,” “Student Club,” or “Student Chapter” in the logo design.

Student Organizations are not approved to use the Athletic monogram. The Athletic monogram is reserved for the Athletic Association and NCAA sports. 

Approval must be received prior to printing, manufacturing and distributing materials. Any use of logos, seals, names or other university marks must be in accordance with policies established by the university. The official logo or seal is not permitted for personal use, e.g., graduation invitations, personal business cards, etc.

Individual Students

Students representing themselves are not permitted to use the university’s official logo or other university trademarks. Exceptions to this policy are granted in a limited number of special situations. For example, the official logo may be used for class projects and for university-approved conference and presentation materials. To be considered for such an exception, submit a request to logos@kennesaw.edu. Should permission be granted, all materials utilizing the logos, names or other university marks should be submitted to https://www.kennesaw.edu/stratcomm/project-request/ prior to use.

Approval must be received prior to printing, manufacturing or distributing. Any use of logos, seals, names or other university marks must be in accordance with policies established by the university. The logo or seal may not be used for personal use, e.g., graduation invitations, personal business cards, etc.

 

Kennesaw State University’s video content tells the story of our staff, faculty, and students. Whether it’s capturing the sights and sounds of an exciting event, or working with on-screen talent to record a script, all video content needs to follow a few key guidelines to ensure you capture the highest quality footage possible.

• It is preferred that video be shot in 4K (3840x2160), but 1080p is acceptable.
• Final video files must be exported at 23.98fps or 30fps.
• Font used in video must be university approved fonts.
• Standards for KS logo template use: (Templates available through Video Services).
  • If uploading the video to YouTube and/or the KSU website, the video must have KS logo bookends at the beginning and end.
  • If the video is to be posted on social media, only have the KS logo at the end.
  • If the video is for a specific college or department, use the logo for that unit.
  • When using the transition templates, ensure that the transition fully covers the cut between two clips and no black frames are seen.

Plan well in advance of delivery – When making videos, plan as far ahead of your delivery date as possible. This will give you the flexibility and freedom to think through where you will film, who will be in the video, what the style will be, etc. Even short videos take time to make, so plan accordingly!

Get everyone involved on the same page – There are a lot of moving parts when planning to shoot video. Take the time beforehand to prepare scripts, storyboards, shot lists, and call sheets to ensure everything goes according to plan.

Upbeat and positive energy – Videos are only as engaging and exciting as the subjects on screen. Whether you’re selecting music or making casting choices, everything about the production should be geared towards getting the most authentic and engaging content possible.

Emotive performances – If you’re working with on-screen talent to record lines, encourage them to be expressive, upbeat, and excited. This energy carries through into the delivery of the lines and will give you a stronger result.

Camera discipline – When capturing video content at an event it’s easy to feel the need to film everything, all the time. Instead, decide ahead of time what footage and content you need for your project. This narrows your focus to ensure you walk away with the necessary content to tell your story.

Use KSU Gold to draw the eye – Our KSU Gold color is bright and attention grabbing. Using it effectively is a great way to tie the footage to KSU and to give the footage a pop of color. Don’t overuse it though, as it can lose its impact and conflict with certain skin tones.

Keep it short – Shorter videos perform better on social media platforms and increase the chance of a viewer watching your video from beginning to end. Conveying information visually is an efficient and engaging way to show lots of information in a short amount of time. If it helps, make multiple short videos rather than one long one.

End with a call to action – The video gets the viewer interested, the call to action gets them engaged. Adding a URL, tagline, or other call to action at the end prompts the viewer to take action after watching the video.

Templates for signage are being created for all university-owned buildings on campus to incorporate the university brand. All new requests for building signage will be created to support the university brand.

To request new building signage, please contact Facilities Planning and Design Services at 470-578-3602.

All requests must be reviewed by the university’s signage task force and approved by Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing.

Other types of exterior signage may be approved if they meet the visual identity program guidelines.

To request any facility signage or design work, please contact The Office of Facilities  

Directional signage (maps, kiosks and other graphic or audible means used to convey location and directions) — Facilities Planning and Design Services, 470-578-3602  

Department name signage — Facilities Planning and Design Service, 470-578-3602

Office/room numbers — Facilities Planning and Design Services, 470-578-3602

All posters, fliers, announcements and temporary signage must be reviewed for brand usage by brandapproval@kennesaw.edu.  KSU buildings and residential areas may have additional procedures for displaying posters, including posting locations. Such procedures should be consistent with this or any other University policy. KSU community members interested in displaying posters in those areas are responsible for obtaining and abiding by such procedures. Academic and administrative units at KSU have adopted specific guidelines and procedures for displaying posters within University property, and any individual or organization desiring to post in such areas should consult with the Dean’s Office of the respective college or the building administration for those guidelines and procedures.

Promotional Yard signs – are only approved for directional or event signage and retail revenue-generating promotions. Yard signs are temporary signage and must be removed promptly following the event or promotion and should adhere to the University’s posting and chalking policy.

https://policy.kennesaw.edu/docs/policies/Posting_and_Chalking_Policy.pdf