Brand Architecture
Brand architecture is a powerful tool that allows us to connect the many entities within our University in a clear, logical manner. We achieve this by creating a system for entities that use our mark, as shown here. These entity marks include our campuses, colleges, administrative/academic units, institutes, departments, and areas of expertise.
Tier 1
This is our primary University mark. This tier 1 mark is the overarching entity to which all other entities are connected.
Tier 2
Tier 2 marks include entities such as all campuses, all colleges, and approved administrative/academic units.
Tiers 3 and 4
Tier 3 and 4 marks include entities within our campuses, colleges, and approved administrative/academic units such as schools, departments, institutes, centers, programs, and laboratories.
NOTE: The official Penn State Brand Architecture guidelines are available for download and provide detailed information about all three Tier 3 and 4 layout options. Please contact the Visual Identity Office with the Office of Strategic Communications with any questions concerning institutional marks or other designs by emailing pennstatebrand@psu.edu. To request a new Tier 3 or 4 mark, please use this form.
Stacked, Vertical, and Horizontal Alignment
Our university marks are now offered in three layout options: stacked, vertical, and horizontal. These layouts incorporate horizontal or vertical lines and each have new, specific point size options for the Tier 3 and 4 text. All of these updates are intended to enable flexibility for the many diverse entities across our University and are intended to result in more compact and appealing Tier 3 and 4 marks. It is acceptable for a Tier 3 or 4 mark to be created or connected to a Tier 1 or 2 mark, depending on the appropriateness of the association to the parent entity or the University as a whole.
Stacked alignment (example)
Vertical alignment (example)
Horizontal alignment (example)
