First year students from the class of 2021 receive their medallion's during a ceremony at Herrick Chapel

Our Visual Language

Our Visual Identity

Grinnell’s visual identity represents the institution at the most basic visual level. It’s a signature, a stamp of quality, and a symbol of pride for all of us to rally behind. By following a few simple guidelines, we can ensure that our identity remains unmistakably ours.

Logo

Grinnell College primary logo

Primary Logo

This is the singular expression of Grinnell’s institutional mission and academic brand.

Our logo is the primary identifier for the College, connecting all entities within our institution. It has two parts: the laurel leaves icon and the wordmark. It’s a symbol of what we stand for, and should always be used in accordance with these guidelines.

Access our logos

Primary lockup for Division of Social Studies

Logo with Primary Lockup

The entities in this grouping have the role of furthering the mission of the College and deliver directly on the student experience. So their names appear directly beneath the master logo, both to reinforce its strength and to elevate their individual reputations.

There are four categories within this group, covering academic and administrative entities. All of the categories use the same lockup structure, with the Grinnell logo and the full name of the entity.

  • academic divisions, departments, and concentrations
  • academic centers and institutes
  • academic programs and entities
  • administrative offices and resources
Secondary lockup of Writers at Grinnell, English Department

Logo with Secondary Lockup

The entities in this grouping support the mission of the College but rely on the Grinnell brand to build equity. Their names are visually linked with the master logo, and always accompanied by a secondary identifier, as shown here.

There are two categories of these entities: academic and administrative. Both use the same lockup structure.

  • Academic programs
  • Administrative centers, offices, and organizations

Endorsed Logos

Museum of Art, Golf Course, Bookshop, and Athletics logos

These are entities that reach beyond the College. They may have their own brand equity or distinction, or may serve additional audiences outside the College. In some instances, these entities may maintain a distinct identity or mark, used in conjunction with the master logo or the Grinnell College name. It’s important to note that Grinnell College Athletics is included in this category. Athletics maintains its own identity and spirit mark; the use of the master logo is not recommended.

Typography icon

Typography

Grinnell’s typography is flexible enough to meet a wide range of situations and requirements. When it’s used thoughtfully and consistently, typography becomes a powerful branding tool that can add visual meaning to what we communicate.

The official font families are Futura and Freight.

  • Futura Font

    Futura

    Futura is a classic sans-serif font that works well for large, expressive headlines, subheads, callouts, and even body copy. The typeface has a modern but friendly appeal with classic proportions perfect for setting text in all-caps.

    Note: Futura Condensed is not permitted.

  • Freight font sample

    Freight Text Pro

    Freight Text Pro functions well for headlines and body copy. Its geometric structure and slab serifs create a textural contrast to Futura. Unlike with Futura, we don’t trackout headlines set in Freight Text. Instead, experiment with scale, weight, and indenting to highlight key words.

Licensing and Implementation

The Futura and Freight font family can be purchased directly online at fonts.com. At this time the College does not have an institutional license.

Futura® Pro Family (10 styles)

Freight Text Pro (12 styles)

Alternative System Fonts

Our brand fonts may not always be available to everyone for use in Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, or other digital applications.

The alternate fonts listed here are freely available on all computers. 

  • Arial is the acceptable substitute for Futura.

  • Georgia is the acceptable substitute for Freight Text Pro.

Color Palette

Our color palette is simple and sophisticated. It relies mainly on PMS 485 for identity elements, along with black. Bright and dark accent colors and secondary tints are for additional levels of content in layouts.

Many factors contribute to consistent and accurate color reproduction. These include always using the correct color formulas, selecting quality papers when printing, and choosing qualified people and machines to put color on paper. Screen-based applications require similar care and consistency.

Primary Colors

Our primary colors are PMS 485 and black. They represent Grinnell College at the highest level and should be present in all communications.

Black Hex 000000

Black

R.0 G.0 B.0
HEX: 000000
C.0 M.0 Y.0 K.100

Dark

red box - placeholder

Grinnell Red

PMS 485
R.218 G.41 B.28
HEX: DA291C
C.0 M.95 Y.100 K.0

Medium

Cool Gray 1 Hex E5E6E4

Cool Gray 1

Cool Gray 1
R.229 G.230 B.228
HEX: E5E6E4
C.4 M.2 Y.4 K.8

Light

Accent Colors

PMS 181 Hex 81312F

PMS 181
R.129 G.49 B.47
HEX: 81312F
C.6 M.87 Y.71 K.47

Dark

PMS 1495 Hex FF8F1C

PMS 1495
R.255 G.143 B.28
HEX: FF8F1C
C.0 M.49 Y.96 K.0

Medium

HEX FFE1A0

HEX FFE1A0
R.255 G.225 B.160
C.0 M.11 Y.43 K.0

Light

006A52

PMS 3298
R.0 G.106 B.82
HEX: 006A52
C.100 M.0 Y.67 K.40

Dark

Medium green

PMS 339
R.0 G.179 B.136
HEX: 00B388
C.79 M.0 Y.60 K.0

Medium

Light green

HEX DAF6D0
R.218 G.246 B.208
C.14 M.0 Y.23 K.0

Light

dark blue

PMS 302
R.0 G.59 B.92
HEX: 003B5C
C.100 M.32 Y.0 K.68

Dark

Medium blue

PMS 279
R.65 G.143 B.222
HEX: 418FDE
C.69 M.34 Y.0 K.0

Medium

Light blue

HEX CAE4EE
R.202 G.228 B.238
C.19 M.2 Y.4 K.0

Light

Dark purple

PMS 669
R.63 G.42 B.86
HEX: 3F2A56
C.80 M.97 Y.0 K.45

Dark

Light purple

PMS 7662
R.122 G.66 B.130
HEX: 7A4282
C.56 M.86 Y.0 K.3

Medium

 

Legibility and Contrast

When you're setting text on colored backgrounds, use the tables in this section to make choices that are legible and accessible for all readers. These combinations are considered acceptable for ADA and color-blindness standards, but use your judgment. If another color noticeably improves legibility, use the combination with more contrast.

Acceptable Text Color and Sizes on Dark Colors
Color Black PMS 181 PMS 3298 PMS 302 PMS 669
Cool Gray 1 Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
HEX FFE1A0 Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
HEX DAF6D0 Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
HEX CAE4EE Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
Grinnell Red Large
Small
PMS 669 Large
PMS 279 Large
Small
Large Large Large
Small
PMS 339 Large
Small
Large Large Large
Small
PMS279 Large
Small
Large Large
Small
Pure White Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small

Acceptable Text Color and Sizes on Medium Colors
Color Grinnell Red PMS 1495 PMS 339 PMS 279 PMS 7662
Cool Gray 1 Large
Small
Large
Small
HEX FFE1A0 Large Large
Small
HEX DAF6D0 Large Large
Small
HEX CAE4EE Large Large
Small
PMS 1495 Large
Black Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
PMS 302 Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
PMS 669 Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
PMS 181 Large Large
Pure White Large
Small
Large Large
Small

Color Blind Accessibility

A person who is colorblind sees a reduced color space. This guide simulates what our color palette would look like to folks with different forms of colorblindness. The colors in the leftmost column are the “true” colors. The other three columns demonstrate the way that a person with protanopia, deuteranopia, or tritanopia would see them, respectively. Use this guide when making color choices to communicate information. It’s important that your color choices will be understood and accessible by everyone who sees it, regardless of their vision abilities.

Acceptable Text Color and Sizes on Light Colors
Color Cool Gray 1 HEX FFE1A0 HEX DAF6D0 HEX CAE4EE
Black Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
PMS 302 Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
PMS 669 Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
PMS 181 Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
PMS 3298 Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
Grinnell Red Large
Small
Large Large
Small
Large
Small
PMS 7662 Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
Large
Small
Color Palette by Type of Color Blindness
True Protanopia Deuteranopia Tritanopia

Camera icon

Photography

Photography is a compelling tool for portraying the diverse and dynamic nature of our community. It can quickly capture the Grinnell experience and connect deeply with people. 

The words we use can describe what we’re doing to challenge convention and shape the future. But it’s our images that actually shows it.

Photography plays a major role in how we communicate. Whether you’re pulling from our existing library or you’re shooting new images, each photograph should focus on one of the following categories:

  • North campus at sunset

    Place

    These are the spaces that foster our community. It’s important to show them authentically, so these shots should always feel natural and include people. Some scenes will include architecture, and composition will be an important tool in telling our story in a compelling way.

  • Students in Herrick Chapel

    Community and Academics

    Photos in this category should express a sense of community that can only happen at Grinnell. This is the chance to capture the culture as it happens during student and alumni events—on campus, in Iowa, and beyond.

  • Skateboard rack in JRC

    Personalities

    Showing the details that make up Grinnell can complete a story or illustrate an idea. These images should never be the focus of a communication piece, nor should they shift the visual story to lose sight of the people who live among these details.

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