Our logos

Primary logos

Our primary logo comes in two colours: Light and Dark. To achieve sufficient contrast and legibility, the Dark version should be used on light backgrounds, while the Light version should be used on darker backgrounds.

In some instances (where increased contrast is required or print options are limited) a black version of our logo may be used. Please contact Marketing and Communications for guidance.

Sub logos

Sub logos can be used in place of the primary logo where the piece of communication is directly from an SBU, department or group and contains information related solely to their own activity. If that activity impacts the wider University, the main logo should be used.

Sub logos are available in Dark Grey and White and follow the same usage guidance as the main logo.

Sub logos should only be developed for SBUs, recognised research centres, units and groups, or when warranted by the profile or remit of a smaller professional team. Please contact Marketing and Communications for further guidance.

How to use our logos

Size

In order to ensure maximum legibility and presence, it is important that the logo is used in a consistent way. The width of the logo is dictated by the width of the communication you are creating. Sizes are specified for a range of standard formats below. When applying the logo on larger or non-standard formats please scale the logo accordingly and use your discretion to maintain clarity and legibility. The minimum size that the logo may appear at is 30mm in print or 80px in digital formats.

Where a logo is required, but at a size smaller than recommended, you may use one of our abbreviated logos. Please contact Marketing and Communications for support.

Exclusion zone

A minimum exclusion zone should be used to keep the logo clear of any other visual assets and safely within the live area. This is constructed using the H from the UH elements as detailed below.

Position

In most cases, the logo should appear in the top left of communications, and be positioned according to the exclusion zone as detailed below. In some instances, the logo may appear in the bottom left or bottom right where the design lends itself, for example in PowerPoint presentations, corporate publication covers or digital display advertising.

Top left positioning respecting exclusion zone

Logo positioned in top left

Bottom right positioning respecting exclusion zone

Logo positioned in bottom right

Dos and don’ts

To ensure consistency and to protect our brand, it is vital that the logo is only used as detailed in these guidelines. The examples below are not exhaustive – if you are unsure about use of the logo, please contact Marketing and Communications.

Do: use the logo in approved colours, with no amendments

Do: use the white logo on darker backgrounds

Do: use the dark logo on lighter backgrounds

Do not: retouch, recolour or otherwise amend the logo

Do not: use previous versions of the logo

Do not: use legacy wide versions of sub logos

Do not: use versions of the logo sourced online, as these may have been recreated by third parties

Do not: rotate the logo

Do not: deconstruct the logo

Do not: stretch or condense the logo

Do not: outline the logo

Do not: create your own sub logos

Social media profile images

All social media accounts managed by the University, its schools and departments should use an official social media profile image.

Our profile images uses an abbreviated version of the logo to ensure legibility at a small scale. No other images or versions of the University logo (including sub logos or the abbreviated with added text) should be used; social media account names should clearly communicate the purpose of the account.

For more information on creating and maintaining social media accounts, please see our Social Media guidance.

Endorsed activity

On occasion, Marketing and Communications will agree the production of a bespoke logo or badge for activities that require greater prominence outside of our branded house. This may include: wholly owned subsidiaries, research projects with a significant external profile, recognised sub brands or large-scale corporate events and festivals.

Logos and badges for endorsed activity should be developed in collaboration with Marketing and Communications and will usually adhere to a standard format and wider brand elements, either employing the abbreviated logo or our ‘Powered by University of Hertfordshire’ strap line.

Student engagement

Internal (and sometimes external) campaigns with significant reach may benefit from the use of a campaign mark. We call these ‘stickers’. Stickers can be used to link and strengthen campaign activity, especially where this is dispersed across University departments or University-wide campaigns have local strands. Stickers should developed in collaboration with Marketing and Communications.