Grand Valley's identity incorporates a range of elements that make our communications distinct.
Our logos play a key role, identifying where our communications come from and what they represent.
 

In order to protect the integrity of our registered trademarks, we categorize our permissions based on the user's role and intent. Don't fall into one of the categories listed? Contact us for clarification.

The complete Grand Valley logo (also referred to as our "signature") has two main components: the logotype and the logomark.  

The logotype is the uniquely-drawn set of characters that form “Grand Valley State University”. The logomark is the "circle-G" shape. The combination of the two constitutes the university's official logo.

The signature may include our primary web address, but this is not a required component of the logo.

Treat the logo as artwork, not as typography. It cannot be accurately reproduced with any typeface and should not be modified in any way.

(A) Markleft signature
Logomark horizontally centered left of two-line logotype. 

(B) Marktop signature
Logomark vertically centered above two-line logotype. 

(C) Single-line signature
Logomark horizontally centered left of one-line logotype.

The Grand Valley logo must be blue, black, 2-color (blue logomark and black logotype), or white (reversed).

Do not change the logo's color.
 

How to use our official colors ⇒

The logo is available in versions with and without the official Grand Valley web address centered beneath the logotype. Both are appropriate for use. 

Treat the web address as part of the logo artwork. Do not alter or customize the web address.

The option to add a custom web address to a Grand Valley logo applies to combination logos only.

Use the version that provides the strongest contrast against its background. Avoid placing the logo on a visually busy background.

Tip: If printing in black and white (greyscale), use the black logo.

When placing a Grand Valley logo in emails, you must use the blue version of the logo. This ensures proper background contrast in both light and dark viewing modes.

Clear space is the amount of empty space surrounding the Grand Valley signature. Do not place other graphics or text in the clear space.

On each side of the signature, the amount of clear space should equal the height of the logomark of a markleft logo (the logomark on a marktop logo is proportionally larger than that on the markleft).

The logomark may be used on its own only if the complete logo is already present on the piece.

The logomark should not be used in place of a letter or numeral.

The logomark's color must be either white or blue.  

How to use Grand Valley blue ⇒

The logo must include its ® registered trademark designation. Do not cut off, obscure, or attempt to alter the ® designation.
 

Registered trademark ® and copyright © use policy ⇒

Our all-in-one logo asset pack makes using a Grand Valley logo quick and easy. It contains all markleft, marktop, and single-line Grand Valley logos, in black, blue, 2-color, and white, including multiple file formats for both print and online use. The markleft and marktop logos also come in versions that include the GVSU web address.
 

Download Grand Valley logo asset pack (.zip, 7.3MB) ⇓ 

Grand Valley colleges, schools, academic departments, administrative units, institutes, and centers may use a combination logo. Individual programs do not get unique combination logos.

A Grand Valley combination logo has two components: the complete Grand Valley logo and the unit’s name, which is placed beneath the logotype. This lockup functions as the unit's logo.

Treat the logo as artwork, not as typography. It cannot be accurately reproduced with any typeface and should not be modified in any way.

Combination logos come in two setups: markleft and marktop. Single-line combination logos are not permitted.

(A) Markleft
Logomark horizontally centered left of two-line logotype. Unit name vertically centered beneath logotype.

(B) Marktop
Logomark vertically centered above two-line logotype. Unit name vertically centered beneath logotype.

Combination logo minimum dimensions, clear space, color, contrast, email, and registered trademark guidelines are the same that apply to the Grand Valley logo.

If desired, you may add a unique web address under your combination logo. The link must direct to a page on the official Grand Valley website. This option to add a unique web address applies to combination logos only.

Font
Gill Sans (preferred), Gotham, Arial, or Helvetica

Text size
Half the letter "Y"s height in "VALLEY" (X) (Excluding letters with ascenders and descenders, i.e. "d" and "g")

Placement
Centered under the unit's name, distance from the name should equal (X)

The official presidential seal lends formality to communications on which it appears. It is used on very limited occasions and only by permission of the Office of the President.

Do not use the seal on any university communications without acquiring explicit permission from the Office of the President first.

Laker for a Lifetime is the initiative promoting the idea that students continue to share their Laker Effect long after graduation—continually using their skills, training, and critical and creative thinking to positively impact the world around them in both personal and professional pursuits. 

The Laker for a Lifetime type treatment has been phased out. Going forward, please refer to these guidelines when using Laker for a Lifetime in print.

The Athletics Department regulates permissions and usage of all athletics logos. Athletics marks are reserved for athletics use only. Academic units cannot use them. 

Questions and requests should be directed to the Athletics Marketing and Promotions team.

View Athletics logos usage guide ⇒

Colleges, schools, institutes, centers and other select units may request a special anniversary text treatment to be used during the anniversary year. Text treatments follow an established format and are created and provided by University Marketing.

The university logo or a combination logo must also appear on any piece using the anniversary text treatment. Creating your own anniversary logo or text treatment is prohibited.

Contact [email protected] for your anniversary type treatment.

If you are applying any logos, type treatments, or verbiage registered for trademark by Grand Valley State University to items that will be commercially printed or resold, your vendor must be licensed through Affinity Licensing.

Vendors may apply for a license.

Search for licensed vendors.