Secondary Marks
Block Y
The block Y logo imitates the Y on the mountain and is a versatile graphic asset.
- Approved Uses: Circumstances that evoke the culture and history of BYU. Nonathletic entities that use Y in their name use this logo in their identifying marks.
- Approved Audiences: The block Y is appropriate for internal audiences who know us well and understand the history of the Y on the mountain. External audiences often mistake this for the Yale Y.
- Approved Colors: Navy, white, or royal.
- Placement: The block Y is a supportive graphic element and is not a primary university identifier. In most cases, the monogram should appear with the block Y in a prominent location (such as on the back of a brochure or at the bottom of a poster).
- Note: Unlike other BYU marks, the block Y can be treated with artistic designs (texture, shading, or dimension). The shape of the Y must not be modified.
Clear Space Requirement: Width of the top of the Y
Minimum Width: 0.375" (print) or 50 px (digital)
Medallion
The medallion should be used sparingly and only in formal, official communications.
- Approved Uses: Formal, official, institutional purposes (certificates, official communications, etc.).
- Approved Colors: Navy or white.
- Online Usage: Because of its fine lines and letterforms, the medallion is not well suited for small online usage.
- Note: Campus entities may not use the medallion in their visual identities.
Clear Space Requirement: Width of the BYU
Minimum Width: 0.75" (print) or 125 px (digital)
Wordmark
The institutional wordmark (or logotype) is a versatile mark suitable for a variety of circumstances and media.
- Approved Uses: All situations, including academic, institutional, auxiliary, and student life.
- Approved Colors: Navy or white.
- Online Usage: The Ringside wordmark is well suited for online applications.
- Note: Although this wordmark is suitable as a university identifier, the monogram is our primary logo and should also appear prominently on communications that use the wordmark.
Additional Marks
Some additional marks are reserved for specific purposes, as outlined here.
Presidential Seal
BYU’s presidential seal is used only on diplomas and in other limited situations. The university president must authorize its use.
Merchandise Marks
For merchandise purposes only, the university maintains a collection of additional graphic assets, including some archival marks. For more information about and access to these marks, contact the Licensing and Trademarks Office.
Usage Guidelines
Use as Provided
Do not modify BYU-approved marks in any way.
Color
The university logos and marks must only appear only in approved colors, as outlined above. Do not change the color or tint of all or a portion of a logo. On light backgrounds, BYU marks should appear in navy blue; use white on dark backgrounds. University logos should only appear in black when used in black-and-white applications. They should never appear in gray.
Background
BYU’s logos and marks should be used on backgrounds that provide sufficient contrast for the logos to stand out clearly. Avoid cluttered or busy backgrounds. When possible, use navy, white, or royal as a background color for BYU marks.
Minimum Scale
Logos and marks should be large enough to be legible. Use the minimum size specifications listed above.
Clear Space
Do not crowd BYU's logos and marks. To ensure the legibility, clarity, and prominence of these symbols, keep competing visual graphics outside the designated clear space outlined above.
Trademark Symbols
The trademark (™) and registered (®) symbols are only required on merchandise. You may remove those symbols when logos and marks are used in other university materials (brochures, websites, magazines, signs, etc.).
Dos and Don'ts
- DO use the logo as provided, in approved colors, at a legible size, and with appropriate clear space.
- DO choose a background color from the BYU marketing color palette that is light enough or dark enough to provide adequate contrast for readability.
- DO place the logo on an area of a background photograph that is simple and light or dark enough to provide adequate contrast with the color of the logo.
- DON’T distort or stretch the logo.
- DON’T rearrange the elements of the logo.
- DON’T alter the typography or recreate the logo.
- DON’T use the logo in colors other than navy, white, or black.
- DON’T modify the logo with gradients, tints, shadows, textures, patterns, outlines, dimensions, or other visual effects.
- DON’T crop the logo or use only a portion of it (e.g., do not remove the B and U from the institutional monogram and use only the Y; do not use the stretch Y without the oval container).
- DON’T use the logo on a background that does not provide adequate contrast for readability or on a complex background that obscures readability.
- DON’T use the logo as a watermark or background.