The NKU brand is everything we do, everything we say - how we use our logo, our light path, our type styles, and other visual cues to express our message and personality. The NKU brand becomes stronger when people know what we stand for and how we fit into their lives.
These guidelines were created to help you get the word out and maintain a consistent NKU identity.
Contact the office of Marketing & Communications at (859) 572-6948 or marcomm@nku.edu
The NKU logos with "Northern Kentucky University" must be used on all applications that are intended for an external audience. For internal documents, please use the NKU logo. For any futher questions regarding logo use requirements, please contact Marketing & Communications.
For the full set of university logo lockups with colleges/departments, please contact Marketing & Communications for guidance. Use of the NKU athletics logos and Victor E. Viking (mascot) is restricted due to trademark and licensing. Please contact the Athletics department directly for usage rights and files.
The main colors are gold, white and black. These three main colors become iconic to NKU.
The dynamic yellow stripe represents a path that lights the way to the future while leaving behind a lasting legacy. The path is energetic, versatile and can be used in varying thickness, while always maintaining a consistent angle. Both sides of the path must be visible for the message to remain constant. The singular path always bleeds off in both directions. Represents the collective path and forward momentum of NKU. Specific uses are outlined on the photography principles page. The angle of the path is always 60°.
The light path is a dynamic and versatile tool that can be used in several different ways.
The light path may be used as a cropping device (with gold surrounding it) and in this specific instance the “path” becomes the image. Never crop an image into the light path without using a yellow flood that surrounds the image.
The light path may also be used as an opaque shape that crops part of an image (for use when the path becomes a holding device for body copy). Both sides of the path must always be visible to never lose its meaning.
Not every application or page has to use the light path.
*Photography above is vision for layout and style, diverse ages/gender and race should always be included.
Business cards and office-use quantities of letterhead and envelopes can be ordered online via our print/promo partner ASB.
If you do not have a user name and password, email JoAnn Fincken at fincken@nku.edu. Include the signature portion of your email to include name, office address, phone number and email. Log in information and a tutorial will be forwarded. The website uses an online shopping cart platform, and payment by credit card is required at time of order.
Clip art, quotes, and logos should not be used in email signatures due to consistency, professionalism, and various browsers that could manipulate/disrupt the layout upon receipt.
Jane Doe, ABC, 123
Job Title Goes Here
"Department of"or “Office of" Here
Northern Kentucky University
Mailing Address Here
O: (859) XXX-XXXX
C: (XXX) XXX-XXXX (optional)
Email address here
