For use across Colgate’s academic and administrative divisions, departments, and offices, the University Identity functions as the foundational design of visual components that all branches of the Colgate Identity Architecture originate. Thus, it serves to uplift and solidifies the core missions of the institution in attracting outstanding students and faculty, strengthening the academic enterprise, enriching the student experience, and improving the campus environs.

Background

C Mark

The C mark is based on the letter C originally printed on the cover of the 1904 Salmagundi. This letter C, despite being created over a century ago, is remarkably modern in design. Its introduction into Colgate’s Identity reinforces the school’s respect for its heritage as it looks toward the future.

1904 Salmugundi

Wordmark

The Colgate wordmarks are set in Portrait, a typeface designed by Berton Hasebe in 2013. Portrait is based on French Renaissance proportions combined with chiseled serif details, making it a distinctively classical yet modern typeface. This typeface should not be used elsewhere, and should only appear on the official Colgate wordmark. This elevates the wordmark and makes it distinct from other surrounding texts.

PORTRAIT

Marks

C Mark

The C mark is a key element in the Colgate Identity. As such, it must be used consistently and appropriately. The C mark should be displayed prominently and clearly to maximize its impact. It is important to both display the mark with a clear space area around all four sides and adhere to the recommended color combinations in order to maintain consistency and integrity of the Colgate Identity.

colgate c
colgate c with clear space margins
The clear space is determined by half the height of the C mark, indicated by ‘x’.

One-line Wordmark

The “Colgate University” wordmark comes in two configurations: one-line and two-line. The one-line
configuration is the preferred way of displaying our name.

The wordmark has been set with particular letter spacing and should not be recreated by simply typing it out. When used as a mark, the official vector artwork should be used.

All versions of the Colgate wordmark should be displayed prominently and clearly to maximize their impact. It is important to both display the wordmark with a clear space area around all four sides and adhere to the recommended color combinations in order to maintain consistency and integrity of the Colgate Identity.

Colgate University one line wordmark
one line wordmark with margins
The clear space is determined by the cap height of the wordmark, indicated by ‘x’.

Two-line Wordmark

The two-line wordmark configuration should be used when horizontal space is limited and the one-line variation is not legible.

COLGATE UNIVERSITY
COLGATE UNIVERSITY wordmark with margins
The clear space is determined by the cap height of the wordmark, indicated by ‘x’.

Alternate Wordmark

In special cases, the wordmark can be reduced down to “Colgate” only, especially when communicating to an internal audience. This wordmark can be used on merchandise, signage, and promotional applications.

Colgate wordmark
colgate wordmark with margins
The clear space is determined by the cap height of the wordmark, indicated by ‘x’.

Lockup

It is always preferred that the C mark and wordmark appear on materials separately. If you choose to use them together, the lockup should be used. A lockup is the intentional arrangement of a mark and its accompanying elements. It is a fixed relationship that should not change. In this case, the lockup refers to the pairing of the wordmark and C mark.

All versions of the lockup should be displayed prominently and clearly to maximize their impact. It is important to both display the lockup with a clear space area around all four sides and adhere to the recommended color combinations in order to maintain consistency and integrity of the Colgate Identity.

C colgate university lockup
C colgate university lockup with margins
The clear space is determined by half the height of the C mark, indicated by ‘x’.

Alternate Lockup

In special cases, the lockup can be reduced down to “Colgate” alone, especially when communicating to an internal audience. This lockup can be used on merchandise, signage, and promotional applications.

colgate c lockup
Colgate C and margin indications
The clear space is determined by half the height of the C mark, indicated by ‘x’.

 

Department Lockups

Lockups for different Colgate departments, programs, offices, and other entities are determined by the proportions of the wordmark.

Colgate departmental lockups with percentage proportions

A second line of text can be inserted with a capheight equal to 60% the capheight of the wordmark. It should always be written in title-case and set in Messina Sans Book. This configuration applies to additional lines of text, including sub-departments. Any department, in any capacity, associated with the University can adopt this configuration.

Don’t create alternate lockups or alter the relationships of the existing lockups. This includes changing the placement and typeface. Note: The “Colgate University” wordmark should not be recreated by simply typing it out. The official vector artwork should always be used.

Color Palette

Colgate maroon is the primary color of the University’s Identity. Maple red, night black, shadow gray, and winter gray are secondary colors, and should always be paired with maroon. All formal communication materials should, whenever possible, use these colors. When color beyond the primary and secondary colors is needed for distinction, the tertiary colors can be used, but should not overpower the use of the Colgate maroon.

More about our color palette

Recommended Color Combinations

All University marks (C mark, all versions of the wordmark, and all versions of the lockup) should be used in the primary and secondary colors on most occasions. Unless placed on a photo, the wordmark should always be accompanied by the presence of Colgate maroon. In grayscale or black and white documents, the wordmark should appear knocked out or in black. The following combinations are approved uses for applying color to our wordmark.

COLGATE wordmark
colgate wordmark
colgate wordmark
colgate wordmark
colgate wordmark
colgate wordmark
colgate wordmark
colgate wordmark

Sizing

Avoid the tendency to make the marks as big as possible, and make sure to leave ample space around each mark. In most cases, the marks should be used as an endorsing element, rather than as a primary graphic element. Certain exceptions can be made (such as on banners) with the approval of the Office of University Communications.

sizing guide for colgate wordmark on tshirt example

Contact Communications

For guidance in utilizing the University’s visual identity; access to logo, wordmark, and lockup files; and more, contact the creative team in Colgate’s Office of University Communications:

creative@colgate.edu