Graphic Identity
Northeastern’s identity system relies on the official University seal, redrawn to capture the classical lines of the seal as it appeared in the pre-digital age. As an icon, this version of the seal represents the University’s path-breaking spirit and leadership tradition, and, together with the new logotype, reflects our stature as a national university with a commitment to excellence, distinctiveness, and innovation.
The seal and logotype constitute the University’s primary identifiers, replacing all other identifiers used in the past. No other symbols may be used to represent the University, with the exception of the separate identity systems used by the Office of Alumni Relations and the Athletics Department. Northeastern has registered and protected its seal as an official mark. It may not be modified without the approval of the Board of Trustees and the state legislature. Likewise, the logotype is built upon a proprietary font that is exclusive to Northeastern University.
Graphic Identity Design
The graphic identity is constructed of two interconnected parts: university seal and type. The relative position and size of seal and type always remain constant.
- Standard Versions
The marks below are the only approved versions of the identifier.
See standard versions (1–6)
The seal height drives the minimum size of the primary and formal University arrangements. The seal can be scaled down to a minimum height of 0.625". If a smaller identifier is required, use the formal wordmark by itself, which can be scaled down to a height of 0.125" for the uppercase “N” in “Northeastern.”
College and School Identifiers
For print applications, use the school identifiers
approved by the Office of Marketing and Communications. Contact NU Reprographics at (617) 373-2766 if you need the official identifier for your college or school.
Division or Office Identifiers
To ensure consistency, whenever you need to link the name of your college, division, or office to the logo, use the examples shown as models for design, sizing, placement, and letter spacing.
See Division or Office Identifiers
Contact NU Reprographics for assistance in creating a division or office identifier:
NU Reprographics
70 Forsyth Street, Room 009 FR
Boston, MA 02115-5000
Phone: (617) 373-2766; Fax: (617) 373-5213
E-Mail: w.corrigan@neu.edu
Web Versions
The new Northeastern University logotype for Web-based media will use the wordmark only, without the seal.
For Web sites with a white header bar, ”Northeastern University“ appears in red (#CC0000), while the secondary identifier, such as the name of a college, office, or department appears in cool gray (#666666).
For Web sites with a red header bar or an alternative color such as gray, the wordmark and secondary identifier appear in white. Make sure there is enough visual contrast between the background color and the identifier.
College Web Sites
Office, Department, or Program/Initiative Web Sites
Functional or Event-related Web Sites, such as Commencement
Clear Space
To ensure its integrity and visibility, the Northeastern identity should be kept clear of competing text, images and, graphics. It must be surrounded on all sides by an adequate clear space—a minimum distance that is equal in size to the x-height of the wordmark, as shown below.
Alignment
Elements on the page, such as an address block or other text block, may visually align with the left stem of the capital N, shown at left. Maintaining this alignment relationship distinguishes the seal from other elements on the page and directs the reader towards content.
The University Seal
The Northeastern University seal should always be used with reverence to what it represents, and never in an irreverent, playful, or disrespectful way.
Offices at the University should always strive to brand their communications with the official logotype, including the seal, or the formal Northeastern University wordmark without the seal.
However, when the size or configuration of a printed piece precludes the proper application of the preferred logotype, the University seal standing alone may be the most appropriate branding option.
When considering this option, please adhere to these guidelines.
Incorrect Usage
Primary Arrangement
The consistent arrangement of the seal and wordmark is fundamental to effective communication and should never be compromised. Always reproduce the logo from original artwork provided in the Branding Toolkit.
College and School Arrangement
It is equally important that the college and school logotypes retain their integrity.
Composite logotypes have been developed for each college and school at Northeastern.
The creation of alternate logotypes is not permitted.
Protect the integrity of the Northeastern identity by avoiding improper usage in these examples.
If questions about usage arise, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at (617) 373-5728 or (617) 373-5389.
The identity system developed by the Office of Marketing and Communications in collaboration with the Office of Alumni Relations has its own graphic standards guidelines. For more information about the use of the alumni mark, please contact the art director at (617) 373-5728.
The identity system developed by the athletics department has its own graphic standards guidelines. Download the Northeastern Athletics Branding Guide. Northeastern Athletics logos can be downloaded in the downloads section.