Design Conventions
At OHIO, we think outside the box, and we design the same way. To be clear, our brand designers understand the importance of leveraging a design grid; they also know how and when to break outside the grid to underscore the creative nature of our brand and capture the kind of movement and layers you find on a campus with centuries-old brick sidewalks, rolling (occasionally steep) hills and a river wrapping around it all.
In our brand design you will often see overlapping images or elements, use of both hard and soft edges, and a willingness to break outside the frame, all of which add a sense of depth and dimension.
Textures and Abstract Elements
A key goal of the Forever OHIO brand is establishing a sense of place that grounds our communications materials to the history, landscape, nature and people of Ohio University campuses and their surrounding communities. To this end, a common series of graphical and photographic treatments help connect our pieces with our physical campuses, cities and region. Additional textures must be created in coordination with UCM.
Sub-Brand Expressions
Each of our academic colleges, and select units, have articulated sub-brand expressions developed in conjunction with University Communications and Marketing.
These sub-brand systems are a prototypical example of how the Forever OHIO brand elements can be used to identify specific colleges or campaigns within the University. These individual sub-brands give their respective colleges a visual style system that establishes an individual voice and aesthetic while remaining consistent with the overall Forever OHIO brand.
Iconography
The suite of icons used throughout OHIO communication materials conform to a simple 2-dimensional style reminiscent of vintage ink stamps or stencils. Icons are often used as supporting graphics and decorative elements. Icons are not intended to serve as identity marks or logos.
OHIO web and digital designs use the commercial product Font Awesome 6.5 Solid for a collection of simple utility icons.
Additional icons must be created in coordination with UCM.
Rufus Illustrations
Rufus, the Ohio University mascot, has appeared in a myriad of illustrations and costumes over his 100-plus years. To protect our beloved mascot’s identity, it’s important that any new illustrations of Rufus are coordinated with UCM.
Campaign Identity Marks
Beyond our University Logo and Lockup System, there is sometimes a need to create identifying marks for specific University events and campaigns. These marks should be executed in coordination with UCM, and should never use the OHIO logo in ways that break our brand identity guidelines.