GUIDETO INSTITUTIONAL BRANDING
EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
UPDATED AUGUST 2025
ABOUTTHISGUIDE
The standards in this guide outline the approved use of Eastern Kentucky University’s institutional logos across all university communications.
The Office of Communications and Brand Management (CBM) is authorized by the President’s Cabinet to ensure that all logos are used consistently, accurately, and in alignment with the brand guidelines. CBM also oversees the proper correction of any misuse of EKU logos.
If you have a project request or logo application that is not addressed in this guide, please reach out to CBM at brand@eku.edu.
Like the EKU Brand Guide, this Guide to Institutional Branding is a living document and will be modified according to the needs of the University The latest version of this document is always available at eku.edu/brand.
EKU’S GUIDE TO INSTITUTIONAL BRANDING
WHAT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL LOGO?
WHATISANINSTITUTIONALLOGO?
PRIMARY USE: CAMPUS UNIT IDENTIFICATION
Institutional logos include the name of the department or affiliated program in a heavy-weight Barlow typeface in horizontal and vertical versions with the primary logo. There are three variants included in an EKU Institutional Logo package: Stacked, Horizontal and Power E.
Most campus units (including colleges, departments and programs) have an approved institutional logo. These are to be used in print and digital applications when using the primary EKU logo alone is not sufficient to ensure distinction.
Institutional logos that use any other typeface (Avenir or the EKU primary logo font) or alignment (right justification) have been phased out of production as of December 2024. To request an updated package, use the Design Request Form.
NOTE: Use institutional logos in digital and print applications to differentiate campus units; for most promotional materials, use the EKU primary logo instead to promote the larger brand of the University. For more information on promotional item guidance, refer to the Promotional Assets and Licensing section of the EKU Brand Guide.
INSTITUTIONAL LOGO VARIANTS
EKU’S GUIDE TO INSTITUTIONAL BRANDING
INSTITUTIONAL LOGO USAGE
KNOWINGWHETHERYOUNEEDAN INSTITUTIONALLOGOPACKAGE
PERMITTED TO USE AN INSTITUTIONAL LOGO: COLLEGES, DEPARTMENTS, OFFICES, PROGRAMS
Institutional logos are reserved for official university units (colleges, departments, offices and programs). These logos exist solely for internal unit identification within EKU’s brand.
They are not intended for general promotional use and should only appear on items when the primary EKU logo alone cannot provide clear distinction of the specific unit. In most cases, the primary EKU logo will be the appropriate mark for merchandise, apparel or other promotional items.
Custom logos are permitted only under specific circumstances, such as when an external grant or partnership requires a distinct logo, when an administrative unit or auxiliary brand extension has a compelling need for a unique identity, or for special university-sponsored events and initiatives. Colleges, departments, offices and programs are not permitted to create or use custom or retired logos outside these exceptions.
If you’re unsure whether your project or unit needs it’s own institutional logo, contact brand@eku.edu before creating, using or ordering any items.
TYPE
Primary EKU logo
Power E logo
USE CASE
All-Purpose and Academic
All-Purpose
EKU Colonels logo Athletics
Eastern Kentucky University Colonels Wordmark Athletics
Alternate Wordmark Athletics
Official Seal of Eastern Kentucky University Office of the President / Authorization Only
Institutional Logos Unit identification
Retired logos and marks Not for use internally or externally GUIDE TO INSTITUTIONAL BRANDING EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY 7
Institutional logos are designed for unit identification within EKU’s official brand. To maintain brand consistency and ensure proper application, the following guidelines outline where these logos may and may not be used.
LOGOAPPLICATIONS PERMITTEDUSAGE
Staff Uniforms and Apparel – For employees representing a specific unit
Giveaway Items – Such as pens, tote bags, water bottles for internal or outreach purposes
Print Pieces (Including Stickers) – Brochures, flyers, posters or other print collateral
Awards and Plaques – For recognition within or on behalf of a unit
Tablecloths – For events, tabling or official appearances
Pop-Up Banners – For conferences, fairs, campus events or internal use
Name Badges – For staff, faculty and official representatives of the unit
NOTPERMITTEDUSAGE
Business Cards – Standardized business cards already incorporate the EKU brand
Vehicle Signage – University vehicle graphics use the primary EKU logo
Billboards – Large-scale advertising should represent EKU as a whole
Murals – Permanent or large-format campus artwork should not use institutional logos
If you do not see what you’re looking for, contact brand@eku.edu before creating, using or ordering any items.
EXAMPLESINUSE
EKU’S GUIDE TO INSTITUTIONAL BRANDING
NAVIGATING YOUR LOGO FOLDER
GUIDE TO INSTITUTIONAL BRANDING EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
NAVIGATINGYOURLOGOFOLDER
When you receive a link to the Google Drive folder containing your institutional logos package, it will contain multiple folders.
When you open your institutional logo package, you will see the two folders below:
For professional printing, or projects requiring high resolution
Best for all other digital uses
Inside both the EPS and PNG folders, you will see the three folders below, which contain the three types of logos you will be permitted to use. Refer to page 5 to see each version.
IMPORTANT FILE INFORMATION
Logo previews may appear cropped - this is only the thumbnail view (as seen below). The full file will be intact once downloaded White logos may appear invisible when viewed on a white background They are present and will display correctly when placed over a darker color EPS files require Adobe Illustrator or similar design software to open If you don’t have this software, you may not be able to view the file, but it will still function properly when used by a designer or print vendor
File Names - Check the file name when using a maroon logo. If you are printing, you will choose the logo with CMYK in the file name. For digital, you will choose the logo with RGB in the file name. (ex. 2025 CBM InstitutionalLogo Stacked RGB MRN)
EKU’S GUIDE TO INSTITUTIONAL BRANDING
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONS
I NEED LOGO FILES CREATED FOR MY CAMPUS AREA, WHO DO I CONTACT?
Visit our website (https://www.eku.edu/in/cbm/) and submit a design request From there, one of our designers will be in touch regarding the logo files and estimated delivery time.
WHAT IF OUR DEPARTMENT NAME HAS CHANGED?
This happens and we’re happy to help! Visit our website (https://www.eku.edu/in/cbm/) and submit a design request with notes on the change needed. From there, one of our designers will be in touch regarding the logo files and estimated delivery time.
WHAT IF I NEED A DIFFERENT FORMAT OF OUR LOGO FILES?
Feel free to email brand@eku.edu for any questions regarding logo files and formats.
DO I NEED TO PROVIDE A VENDOR THESE LOGO FILES?
If you’re ordering promotional items with these files, we recommend providing updated logo files to the vendor In most cases, the vendor may have dated files in their system Providing these upfront in your ordering process will help ensure it’s accurate before our review and approval
WHAT VENDORS AM I ALLOWED TO USE?
All approved and contracted vendors can be found at https://go.eku.edu/vendors. If there is a vendor you’d like to use that is not on the list, please confirm use options with the University Procurement team.
HOW DO I OBTAIN APPROVAL FOR AN INTERNAL CAMPUS ORDER?
All orders are subject to CBM Approval prior to processing through Jaggaer for a purchase order. You can submit artwork proof and quote from selected vendor through our approval form at https://go.eku.edu/brandapproval From there, we’ll review your request, provide any edits or feedback and process approval documentation for you to use in Jaggaer
I HAVE MY INSTITUTIONAL LOGO PACKAGE, DO I STILL NEED AN APPROVAL LETTER?
Yes. Even if you’ve received your institutional logo package, all uses must be reviewed to ensure the logo is applied correctly, on an approved product and in line with our brand guide. We also assess product selection and color usage to help protect the integrity of EKU’s brand.
FOR MORE QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS, FEEL FREE TO EMAIL BRAND@EKU.EDU
COMMUNICATIONS&BRANDMANAGEMENT
CBM provides a variety of support to units across campus. From content creation to videography, we’re here to help. All of our request forms are routed through Asana, the University project tracking system. If you do not currently have an Asana account, you’ll need to login with your EKU credentials.
After submitting a project request, a project manager from our team will contact you to conduct further assessment.
Depending on the scope of your request, you may be asked to meet with our team to develop a creative brief. At that meeting, we will discuss how your event or project aligns with EKU goals, optimum communication channels, measuring success metrics and more. We will also establish points of contact in both offices so we can stay on track and meet objectives in a timely manner
After the assessment is complete, we will work with you to gather the words, images and design needed to complete your project. Our basic workflow is simple:
Needs Assessment
Message Development Evaluation Planning
Creative Design Review
Adjustments
Final Review
Project Completion
RESOURCES
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