Identity Lockups
Presenting a unified appearance across the Rice University campus is important for maintaining Rice's reputation as a leading educational institution. The following examples can be used as reference.
Logos
The shield, combined with either Rice or Rice University, creates the official Rice logo.
Either wordmark can be used alongside the Rice shield.
All official versions of the Rice logo can be downloaded at bit.ly/university-logos.
Wordmarks
The wordmarks are unique typographic signatures that display the Rice name. Do not alter or attempt to recreate them in any way.
When possible, the preferred manner in which to refer to the university is simply “Rice.”
The Rice Shield
The visual identity of Rice is built around the historic shield containing the Athenian Owl, which stands for honor, influence and wisdom. The shield’s chevrons represent the coats of arms of families bearing the names Rice and Houston. The shield is the most recognizable aspect of the Rice brand and the primary graphic component within our identity system.
The Rice shield must never be used alone.
University Wordmarks
The wordmarks are designed to do more than just allow people to read and recognize an organization’s name. They represent the character of an organization through their typographic choices and how they are applied.
Rice has two accepted wordmarks. They are unique typographic signatures that display the Rice name.
When possible, the preferred manner in which to refer to the university is simply “Rice.” For those instances when the full name of the university is needed, use the full-length wordmark.
Either wordmark may be used alone or with the shield.
Use each wordmark correctly and consistently.
All official versions of the Rice wordmarks can be downloaded at bit.ly/university-logos.
Wordmark Colors
Print the wordmarks in the two Rice colors, Rice Blue (Pantone 280) and Rice Gray (Pantone 425). Other acceptable colors are black and reversed (white) from a solid color field. (See “Color Palette” information for RGB, CMYK and Hex values on Page 28.)
Minimum Clear Space
Whenever you use the official Rice University logo, it should be isolated from other design elements by a minimum clear space to ensure its visibility and impact. No graphic elements of any kind should invade this zone. The amount of clear space is determined by the mark being used.
Shield and University Logo
The clear space for the university logo lockup is determined by the height of the logo. This clear space must be maintained on all sides of the mark.
Parent and Child Lockup
The clear space for the parent and child logo lockup is determined by the height of the Rice University logo and the first line of the lockup. More information about the lockup system.
Minimum Size
Following these minimum size requirements ensures that the mark retains legibility and remains recognizable.
The height of the shield and logo should not be less than one-half inch in any application, shown here in actual size. (This is a minimum height of 36 pixels.)
When the Rice logo is reduced to less than one-half inch in height, graphic elements in the shield are lost. In those instances, use the wordmark alone for internal and external communications.
If you have an application that requires the logo to be reduced in size, you should contact Public Affairs for specially tailored marks.
Use of internal logos
The Rice community collaborates on a variety of programs, research, events and conferences that may create a need for co-branding with other Rice schools, institutes and programs.
- If co-branding with a campus program or initiative that does not use one of the identity lockups, both brands should be placed side-by-side and follow space and size requirements.
- When two schools are partnering, we recommend placing the logos side-by-side using the minimum space requirements.
- When multiple schools are partnering, guidelines recommend using the main Rice logo and listing the names of schools, etc.
- Do not combine the logos to create a new version.
Logos vs. Graphics
The majority of official schools, colleges and units of Rice are eligible for lockup logos. Using nonbranded graphics is only allowable for limited-time purposes such as one-time conferences or other events or for specific time-limited initiatives (e.g., the Momentous Strategic Plan campaign). It’s important to use branded logos in all marketing communications materials, including, but not limited to, websites and other digital media, signage, ads and print collateral. Leveraging Rice’s trademarks strengthens marketing outreach efforts and helps ensure that institutional messaging is cohesive. No other graphic(s) should ever replace an official branded logo.
Size and clear space
All the basic requirements regarding minimum size, clear space and positioning must be followed when the Rice logo will appear with an external logo or trademark. The Rice logo must be surrounded by clear space to ensure its visibility and impact. No type or graphic element of any kind should invade this space.
- The logo must be surrounded with a minimum clear space equal to the height of the owl in the shield.
- The shield must be no smaller than one-half inch in height and/or equal to or greater in height than the largest graphic element of the additional mark or marks.
Positioning
If possible, position the Rice logo as either the first or last logo in an arrangement of multiple marks so that the university name is in the most visible position.
Use of external logos
Rice departments, schools and organizations — such as institutes, centers, consortia and laboratories — that deal extensively with the public or external groups often have the need to use the Rice logo in combination with an external organization’s logo or trademark. This section provides guidelines for displaying the Rice logo in a manner that protects our identity, while allowing the university to be seen as a member or participant in the desired program, event or other occasion.
Size and clear space
All the basic requirements regarding minimum size, clear space and positioning must be followed when the Rice logo will appear with an external logo or trademark. The Rice logo must be surrounded by clear space to ensure its visibility and impact. No type or graphic element of any kind should invade this space.
- The logo must be surrounded with a minimum clear space equal to the height of the owl in the shield.
- The shield must be no smaller than one-half inch in height and/or equal to or greater in height than the largest graphic element of the additional mark or marks.
Positioning
If possible, position the Rice logo as either the first or last logo in an arrangement of multiple marks so that the university name is in the most visible position.
Lockup System
Flexible Branding
The lockup system was designed to provide a variety of ways to create branding for the university, schools, offices, alliances and subbrands that make up Rice. Lockups range from formal to casual and have multiple hierarchies to allow different groups to take the lead in a particular branded application or allow multiple groups to be represented as equal partners.
Tailored Lockups
Formal lockups use the full name of the organization, which is particularly important for academic schools with a formal name attached, e.g., George R. Brown School of Engineering. It is recommended that the formal lockup be used when deemed appropriate for the audience.
Casual lockups which omit, for example, the “George R. Brown” portion of the name, can be used for most communication needs, especially internally, as these audiences are already familiar with Rice and will be able to recognize where the communication originated.
Clear Hierarchy and Priority
The lockup system was designed to allow for multiple forms of representation, allowing for either the organization’s full hierarchy to be acknowledged or to allow for a particular group to take the lead in
the lockup.
Lockup Typography and Color
To maintain brand consistency, position all Rice department and program titles to the right of the shield and under the school name, as shown. To ensure its visibility, a lockup requires a clear zone surrounding it, equal to the height of the owl in the shield. No graphic elements of any kind should invade this zone. The school name is in Trajan printed in Rice Blue (Pantone 280). The department title, if applicable, is in Copernicus printed in Rice Gray (Pantone 425).
Write out school and department names fully; acronyms are not permitted in lockups, as they generally do not communicate meaningful information.
