MSSTATE BRAND

MSSTATE BRAND
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Official Academic University Logo
Alterations
Unacceptable Usage
Color Options
University Unit Logos
Using Multiple Logos
Support Graphics
Student Organizations
Color Palette
University Seal
University Tagline
Alumni Marks
Spirit Marks
Bully & Belle Marks
Starkvegas Marks
Retail Marks
Trademarks
Verbiage
Songs
Web Usage
Email Signature Block
Letterhead
Business Cards
Student Networking Cards
Envelopes
Publications
EEO Statement
Vehicle Identification
Social Media Icons
Licensing Requirements
Miscellaneous
Development and Modification
Visual Identity Standards
I. OFFICIAL ACADEMIC UNIVERSITY LOGO
The official academic university logo consists of two elements: the wordmark, which is the words
Mississippi State
set in a custom typeface called Bulldog, and
University
set in Futura ND Bold typeface, along with the M-State symbol. The logo serves to identify the university in all forms of communication and preserves the integrity of its reputation for academic quality, innovation and leadership in higher education.
The logo is a mark designed to be used as ONE UNIT, and shall be identified with a TM until the Federal Trademark Registration is finalized, at which time the identifier will be changed to a ®. The official university logo should be used with all communications produced by the university. The following guidelines apply:
The logo should be applied to the front outside cover of printed materials in most instances.
When the logo is not applied to the front outside cover, it should be applied to introductory pages and/or the outside back cover of printed materials.
For official web pages, the logo must appear at the top of the page on the left.
The logo never should be used as a headline.
The logo and wordmark always should be reproduced from official university artwork.
Mississippi State University is federally registered and shall be identified with a ® when used separately and apart from the logo.
The vertical and horizontal versions of the university logo also include the ™ identifier, where as the wordmark by itself utilizes the federally registered symbol, ®.
The university logo and wordmark in maroon, black and white are available for
download here
A. CLEAR SPACE
This diagram indicates the staging specifications for the logo. The logo must be surrounded on all sides by the specified clear space to separate it distinctly from any other graphic elements. This clear space and separation from other elements provide graphic impact and preserve the integrity of the mark. Clear space is equal to the height of the letters of the word "UNIVERSITY" from the logo. The clear space varies with the size of the mark. Leave at least 1/8 inch of protected white space around the logo.
B. SIZING AND PROPORTIONS
Do not reproduce the official university logo or university unit logos less than 2 inches in width for the vertical version and 3 inches in width for the horizontal logo in printed material or as specified below for the web. At widths less than this, the clarity and integrity of the logo is compromised.
It is expected that the full vertical or horizontal orientations be used. However, where space limitations occur, the Mississippi State University wordmark can be applied. It can be displayed no smaller than 1.5 inches wide.
When resizing the logo, it is critical that it be resized proportionately. Use the shift key when drag sizing (applies to both Windows and Macintosh platforms), or use equal percentages when using a scaling tool.
C. ACCEPTABLE PRIMARY UNIVERSITY LOGO/INSTITUTIONAL WORDMARKS
Examples below show the maroon, black and white version of the university’s academic logo, both horizontal and vertical options, and institutional wordmarks.
D. ALTERATIONS
Never alter or redraw the logo elements.  Do not place the logo elements inside any other shape or combine them with any other symbol or graphic. The wordmark has been customized for the university; therefore, campus units should always reproduce the logo or symbol from authorized digital files or authorized reproduction-quality originals.
E. UNACCEPTABLE USAGE
Do not change the proportions or reconfigure the logo.
Rotating the logo is not allowed.
Resetting the type is not allowed, or using other M-State versions.
F. COLOR OPTIONS
A) The logo can appear in one color: Pantone 505, gray or black. For the web, it must be #5D1725 (maroon).
B) The white version of the logo (both horizontal and vertical options) can also be used on dark backgrounds such as black or Pantone 505, this option allows for contrast and readability. Single-color publications often make use of this technique.
C) When possible, the maroon or black versions of the logo should also have the banner displayed in white, when printing in full color is an option. If the background color provides sufficient contrast and are printing in more than one color, keep the banner white.
D) A single-color logo can also appear on a light colored background or paper.
E) Other color combinations that provide sufficient contrast may be allowable in certain situations. Contact the Office of Public Affairs if you are considering other color combinations. In general, choose backgrounds that contrast with the logo to give it impact. Garish colors inhibit readability, as do busy or heavily textured backgrounds. Consult the approved MSU color palette.
See IV Color Palette
).
The white version of the M-State primary spirit mark, shown on the left below, can also be used on dark backgrounds such as black or Pantone 505. Filled white versions of this mark or ones where the banner is not white, as shown below on the right, are no longer used.
II. UNIVERSITY UNIT LOGOS
A. University Units
University units include colleges, departments, institutes, centers, labs and offices. The official university logo represents all Mississippi State University departments and offices; however, an individual unit may wish to identify itself by using the unit name through the use of a uiversity unit logo. With the unit name below “Mississippi State University,” the unit name receives prominence while retaining an overall university identity.
Unique college, department, school, office, and other unit graphics may not be used as the unit's primary logo on any university communications.
Units with existing logos may use them in a limited capacity; inside pages and back covers on print publications and within image slideshows and in the footers of websites.
Named colleges and schools with pre-existing logos may be granted minor and/or special exceptions only after consultation with the unit’s leadership, the Office of Public Affair’s chief communications officer and the vice president for development and alumni.
Examples of units using the approved typography and M-State for university unit logos (horizontal and vertical version):
Official university unit logos are available for
download here
University unit logos may be used on mailers, inside pages or back covers of publications, internal memos, internal newsletters, promotional items and employee apparel/t-shirts. Under certain conditions they may be used in print ads. They should NOT be used on letterhead, envelopes, business cards, covers for external publications and external collateral material. Questions about the use of these university unit logos may be sent via email to
identity@opa.msstate.edu
B. Using multiple logos
When displaying multiple logos on print publications and electronic communications the text for each unit may be stacked in alphabetical order (or order of importance of sponsorship or similar) underneath the vertical university logo.
See example shown below.
Multiple units can be listed ONLY in the vertical format. The horizontal option is not available for multiple unit listings. Using multiple unit logos on a single piece can be repetitive and visually confusing. Using the main university logo and listing the units in a university approved font (Futura for example) is an acceptable method of displaying support or involvement of multiple units. If assistance is needed with typesetting a multiple unit vertical logo arrangement - as described above - please contact OPA’s design services group by filling out a
request form here
Vertical Example:
Horizontal Example:
C. Stacking Unit Names with Marks
Academic units are not permitted to stack the Script State with their unit name. However, when space or clarity constraints make the full unit logo impractical, units may stack the primary spirit mark (M-State) with their unit name for merchandise or apparel graphics only. This ensures consistency with university branding while allowing flexibility for promotional formats.
III. SUPPORT GRAPHICS
A. Other Entities
Programs and events that are organized through a university unit that already have a specific icon for that program or event, may continue to use their current icons so long as the primary academic university logo or the sponsoring unit’s logo is prominently displayed with the graphic also on applicable materials. (Example: fliers, programs, mailers)
Graphics for programs, campus organizations, clubs and events
cannot
be used as a standalone artwork on promotional materials – the piece
must
include the MSU primary academic logo or sponsoring unit’s logo.
Program and event graphics are not limited to using only spirit marks. Developed graphics not using the standard university unit logo look must be approved by Office of Public Affairs (OPA) prior to use. OPA reserves the right to disapprove graphics and marks created for groups and programs on the basis of non-standard design and/or designs that are confusing or detrimental to the overall brand. Designs can be submitted to OPA for review by filling out the
form here
If the organizers of a program or event wish to have a logo set-up similarly to a university unit logo in format, that is also permissible. To request a logo be typeset within the visual identity standards for university units, please fill out the
form here
B. Student Organizations
Student organizations have two categories, sponsored and registered.
Click here to learn more about Mississippi State University's Student Organizations.
Sponsored
student organizations may have logos that use the university unit set-up, or use spirit marks with typography including the words “Mississippi State University” and/or “MSU” in combination with the organization’s name. Any sponsored student organization that includes spirit marks in their logo must receive approval from the offices of Public Affairs and General Counsel.
Sponsored Example:
Registered
student organizations may have logos that use spirit marks and can use the name of the organization along with “at Mississippi State University” or “at MSU.”  They are not allowed to use the university unit set-up as their organization’s logo. Any student organization that includes spirit marks in their logo must receive approval from the offices of Public Affairs and General Counsel.
Registered Example:
Neither sponsored nor registered student organizations may use alternate graphics similar to MSU’s official spirit marks (alternate bulldogs, variations of paw prints, or other illustrations of cowbells) in their organization’s logo.
Student organizations for which the university also has an NCAA team or is considered a club sport must include the text "Club" in their logo designs.
The use of spirit marks on promotional materials is allowed for all student organizations, provided they use licensed vendors. All merchandise that includes the name of the University and/or logos and spirit marks of the University must be ordered from licensed vendors – NO EXCEPTIONS. This requirement applies whether the merchandise is sold or given away. The
Office of General Counsel
should be contacted to confirm that the vendor is licensed.
Student organizations must abide by the guidelines found on
cowbellconnect.msstate.edu
Student organizations that create a website are required to obtain their
domain and webspace from ITS
and must use the university template.
IV. COLOR PALETTE
Along with the official MSU maroon being Pantone 505, below is a sample of approved primary and accent colors that can be used in promoting the academic side of the university in print and on the web.
Accent colors may be used to highlight an area in a color that works with maroon. You cannot use the accent colors without using maroon. Maroon should always be the dominant color in university publications.
Adobe swatch library files for the above colors are available for
download here
Note:
PMS 202 is an acceptable alternative to use ONLY when producing maroon on an uncoated sheet or material. Example: Paper napkins. PMS 209 is an acceptable match to maroon on foam Koozies.
V. UNIVERSITY SEAL
The university seal is the formal identifier of Mississippi State University. The seal was adopted by the institution in 1932 and has been modified several times since then. Elements in use since the 1890s include a sword, symbolizing the military character of the early institution, and a key, representing the "key to knowledge." The shield, symbolizing the federal role in a land-grant institution, has been part of the design since its inception. No alterations or overlapping graphics are permitted with the seal. The minimum diameter of the seal is 5/8". Use of the seal should be restricted to business cards and official university documents, such as diplomas, high-level certificates, awards, annual reports, and letterhead from the Office of the President.
VI. UNIVERSITY TAGLINE – TAKING CARE OF WHAT MATTERS
Taking care of what matters is the university’s tagline and is a complete and distinct phrase. Do not tweak or alter it. Do not add to it, subtract from or play with its wording.
When the brand tagline is displayed as a stand-alone headline or with university logos, it should be written in all capitals, same color, with no additional emphasis formatting (i.e. no bold or italics on individual words within the phrase), no smaller than 10pts in size, and no period:
TAKING CARE OF WHAT MATTERS
When possible, the brand tagline should be displayed using Futura-Medium (
or open source Jost - Medium
). The use of the pre-created typeset tagline can be
downloaded here
When the brand tagline is in copy - naturally as part of a sentence or end of a paragraph - it should never appear inside quotation marks and it should always be written in sentence case:
At Mississippi State University, we are taking care of what matters.
VII. OTHER UNIVERSITY MARKS & GRAPHICS
A. Alumni Marks
Marks used by alumni chapters can be
downloaded here
. The marks directly below, FAMILY and ALUMNI, may be used by alumni groups, student groups and internal departments of the university. The bulldog silhouette that includes Hail State and star burst effect is a mark restricted to event use only in relationship to Giving Days. The bulldog-Hail State-star burst mark is not allowed for use outside of Alumni or Giving Days.
B. Spirit Marks
The athletic and spirit marks are used to communicate school spirit. Spirit marks may not be used in departmental secondary logos; however, the Athletics Department, officially recognized student groups and alumni organizations may use athletic and spirit marks in their logos with prior approval by the Office of Public Affairs. These marks should be used only when a bolder, more informal look is desired, and never should compete graphically or be used as a substitute for the university's official academic logo. The marks shown below in the subcategories 1-5 must not be altered, either in appearance or color.
Spirit marks cannot take the place of the primary university logo on publications and websites promoting the academic side of the university.
Usage guidance for academic units:
•  The Script State may not be used in combination with academic and research unit names.
•  The primary spirit mark (M-State) may be stacked with unit names only on merchandise and apparel, when the full unit logo cannot be used due to space or clarity.
1. Primary Spirit Mark
2. Secondary Spirit Mark