National Sea Grant College Program Network

    A Cooperative Effort
    Basic Guidelines
    Identity Colors
    Terminology
    Sources
    FAQs

A strong graphic identity program indicates a well-organized, focused, and effective organization. It suggests quality and strength. The National Sea Grant College Program graphic identity reflects these qualities which have enabled it to become an international leader in research, extension, and education activities involving coastal, marine, and Great Lakes issues.

To the majority of the American public, a program identity is the primary vehicle through which an organization becomes known to a great many people. A unifying identity is critical to an organization's ability to compete for public attention.

The need to present a unified visual image to the world is a basic tenet of corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations alike. Think of Ford, IBM, Mercedes, Kellogg, Apple, FedEx, NBC, K-Mart, UPS—presentation of corporate image via relentless, consistent use of a logo is a fundamental and essential part of gaining and maintaining public recognition.

The need for a unifying graphic image is especially critical for organizations such as Sea Grant, which have many diverse components. The graphically uncoordinated proliferation of logos on news release letterhead, fact sheets, Web pages, and other visual public representations give a jumbled, unfocused appearance—and more likely, do not convey any impression at all that there is an institutional relationship among our otherwise related components. A shared graphic identity effectively communicates the character of Sea Grant as a multifaceted but unified program.

In the flood of communication messages that bombard the public every day, Sea Grant should project an image that is clear, consistent, easily recognized and remembered, and reflective of the high quality of its program components. To diverge in any way from the established specifications of the graphic identity undermines the intent to present the Sea Grant program to the world as a unified, first-class operation.

The following guidelines will help those associated with Sea Grant understand the most effective way to use the Sea Grant graphic identity.

A Cooperative Effort

The national graphic identity was developed by Sea Grant communicators for the benefit of the network. While it is highly desirable for local Sea Grant programs to adopt and correctly use the national identity mark (logo), no dictate exists that requires its use. But all programs are strongly encouraged to adopt the logo and adapt it to their programs by adding their program (or program component) name directly below the "Sea Grant," as shown in the sample to the right.

Doing so will enhance Sea Grant's recognition on both the national and state levels, and both the state program and the national network will receive reciprocal benefits in terms of greater identity and recognition among their publics.

Basic Guidelines

This Web page is designed to provide users of the Sea Grant logo with an easy reference guide to its effective use. Using this guide can help Sea Grant present a consistent program identity to its internal (such as researchers or advisory committees) audiences, as well as external (Congress, state legislators, coastal users and managers) audiences.

The graphic identity serves many purposes. By adapting the bottom line of the logo to the appropriate state, regional, or component name, the logo can identify any and all parts of the National Sea Grant College Program. These guidelines should be strictly adhered to for maximum benefit and effectiveness of the national identity program.

• To the extent your umbrella institution's policy permits, use the appropriate (state, national, or regional) Sea Grant logo on all communication materials—publications, letterhead, business cards, Web sites, exhibits, signage, videos, CD-ROMs, etc.

• Use the master artwork or a master disk copy when reproducing the logo. Do not photocopy or scan the artwork or try to desktop publish it, because photocopying, scanning, or photostating the logo reduces the sharpness of the design. Master artwork for the logo is available by contacting Dave Partee, Alaska Sea Grant communications designer. Master artwork should be provided to all vendors, such as printers, pre-press facilities, freelance graphic artists, and so on.

• Avoid combining the Sea Grant logo with other design elements or logos. Sometimes, such as in instances of co-sponsorship or university public relations policy, multiple logos are not avoidable. However, be aware that presenting multiple logos reduces the likelihood that a viewer will clearly understand and retain knowledge of who is responsible for a product.

• Do not print other graphic elements behind or over the logo that will in any way obscure the Sea Grant logo.

• When using the logo with an entity's name underneath the Sea Grant, try to avoid using the logo in a size less than 3/4 inch wide. Anything smaller will render the words under the "Sea Grant" logotype difficult to read. This size will fit a standard business card.

• Whenever you have no choice but to use the logo in a size smaller than 3/4 inch wide, consider using the generic version (just the words "Sea Grant") without a line of type underneath.

• Allow at least 3/8 inch white space to surround the logo whenever possible. This space will ensure visibility of the logo and will keep other design elements from competing with it. When using the graphic identity on a business card, 1/8 inch spacing is acceptable.

• Never alter the proportions of the logo by widening or elongating it or changing anything about the seabird. The seabird is a direct copy of the seabird in the NOAA logo. It is incorporated in the Sea Grant logo to make a connection between Sea Grant and its federal umbrella agency. Do not use the Sea Grant words without the bird, and do not use the bird without the Sea Grant words.

• The Bodoni Poster Compressed typeface is the only typeface to be used on the logotype for "Sea Grant." Helvetica Narrow Bold (in upper and lower case) is the only type to be used on the program name printed underneath. Never use another face for either of these elements, as shown in the two examples below. And do not use a different letter space (kerning) between the characters in the type placed below the "Sea Grant."

The Sea Grant logo will be used by many different entities within the Sea Grant network. Many state programs are located on university campuses, and therefore seek to identify with their school colors.

Therefore, it is acceptable to determine color on a case-by-case basis. You are encouraged to select strong colors that are reflective of Sea Grant's scientific and technology transfer mission. Do not use the reversed logo against a weak, low-contrast or highly screened background; it will not stand out.

Program Image: The way in which Sea Grant is perceived by its publics, both internally and externally.

Identity Program: The system of visual communications graphically coordinated in such a way that the public easily identifies Sea Grant, its components, and activities.

Graphic Identity: The graphic device or mark (logo) that distinguishes Sea Grant, including national state and regional programs, their activities and products. It should promote immediate identification by the public.

Logotype: The words or names identifying the National Sea Grant College Program, state program names, regional program names, or other component names.

Master Artwork: High-quality, camera-ready art that will produce printing results worthy of Sea Grant's reputation and commitment to excellence.

Sources

Corporate Identity Guide. Colonial Companies. 1990. 20 pp.

Graphic Identity: A Brief Manual. University of New Hampshire, Office of University Publications. 1994. 12 pp.

Graphics Standards Manual and Collegiate Licensing Program. Texas A&M University. 28 pp.

A Guide to University Stationery. University of Washington. 6 pp.

Identity Communications Manual. University of South California. 1992. 16 pp.

Logo Guidelines. Louisiana State University. 1991. 12 pp.

Operating Manual: Communication and Publication Procedures. The Ohio State University. 1976. 3 pp.

"A Package Deal," in CASE Currents, May 1993, pp. 38-42.

Survey of Need and Use for a National Logo and/or Logo. Ohio Sea Grant College Program. October 1988.

Using the Wordmark. University of Minnesota, University Relations Office. 1990. 4 pp.

Wilcox, Dennis L., Phillip H. Ault, and Warren K. Agee. Public Relations Strategies and Tactics. 2nd Edition.