Logo Lock-Ups

It benefits all our interests to present a clear and consistent association with each other and the institution through our unified logo architecture. As such, custom logos are not permitted. Instead, reference the following lock-ups:

• Unit lock-ups (for academic and administrative departments, interdisciplinary and division-specific centers, labs, and institutes)
• Athletic lock-ups (for athletic teams and departments)
• Location lock-ups (for campuses)

Campaigns and events do not qualify for logo lock-ups and, instead, should refer to respective guidance on designing secondary graphics and creating a unique look and feel. Clubs and organizations qualify for custom logos, but not official unit lock-ups. Buildings, products, and affiliated brands do not qualify for logo lock-ups or custom logos—specific design guidance is coming soon.

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Unit Lock-Ups

When it’s strategically necessary to include your unit’s name near the university or division logo, you are required to use our official unit lock-up. These lock-ups are permitted for academic and administrative departments, centers, labs, and institutes. Athletic departments and teams should follow guidance on official athletic lock-ups.

Keep in mind that our brand guidelines offer a range of tools to foster flexibility and creativity in your communications. From accent colors to typography combinations, photography, and key messages, the success of this adaptability relies on having the shared Johns Hopkins brand foundation from which to draw. If a unit has a demonstrated strategic need, a sub-identity can be considered to tailor your communications more specifically to your audience. 

Vertical Lock-Up

Horizontal Lock-Up

Uniformity 

A unit lock-up combines the primary or division logo with the unit name, according to set conventions. All fonts, colors, sizes, and spatial relationships are based on a template and must not be altered. 

• Do not create your own lock-up. Complete the request form or contact your division’s communications team for help. 
• You may include your unit’s full name or drop the prefix when a more concise form of identification is useful. For example, “Department of Mechanical Engineering” can be shortened to “Mechanical Engineering.” 
  • Generally, it is not recommended to include “Office of” or “Department of” unless necessary for clarification. 
• Units should not include any references to “Johns Hopkins,” “Hopkins,” or “JHU,” in their names to avoid redundancy with the logo. 
• Sub-unit lock-ups are permitted and accounted for in the template design.
• Unit treatments cannot include acronyms, all caps, special characters, contact information, or taglines. 

Usage 

The use of a unit lock-up is never required, and in many contexts, it is more appropriate to use our primary logo in your design while presenting the name of your unit in prominent type. We call this the uncoupled treatment and it’s the design approach we apply to all our standardized templates, such as letterhead, business cards, and email signatures. To determine if your use case would benefit from the inclusion of a unit lock-up, consider:

• Size: Is the space large enough to accommodate your unit lock-up? Keep in mind that our primary logo’s minimum size requirements apply to ensure legibility. This is particularly important when thinking about using your unit lock-up on giveaways, social media, and websites. For instance, unit lock-ups are not recommend for use in website headers, as they are less responsive and accessible than a prominent type treatment would be.
• Audience: Is your audience already familiar with your unit and its relationship to Johns Hopkins University or is there benefit in including the formal unit lock-up to solidify your association? Remember, Johns Hopkins University is among the most trusted brands in the world. Your use of unit lock-up can signal to audiences that the trustworthiness applies to your unit as well.
• Context: Is your use case informal or formal? And is it internal to Johns Hopkins or external? Generally, more formal applications can benefit from using a unit lock-up, such as tablecloths, podium signs, polos, and reports. Informal and internal contexts, like social media, giveaways, and event flyers, are better served by prominently highlighting your unit name in text, apart from the Johns Hopkins logo.

When using your unit lock-up, follow all primary logo and shield usage guidelines, including color, size, clear space, etc. Take a look at a few successful unit lock-up applications:

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interdisciplinary lock-ups

For centers, institutes, academic and cultural centers, and programs spanning multiple divisions, interdisciplinary lock-ups were previously created following the same architecture as our division logos. This treatment has since been retired.

Given the extensive interdisciplinary collaboration across the University and our commitment to position ourselves as One University, interdisciplinary groups should use a unit lock-up with the primary university logo. Legacy interdisciplinary lock-ups created with approval from University Communications and the Provost’s Office are still permitted, however, interdisciplinary groups are encouraged to transition to a unit lock-up as resources allow.

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Location Lock-ups

Usage

Location lock-ups were developed primarily for use on permanent exterior signage. Audiences should only see a location lock-up when they are entering or are in the physical location. Guidelines to support the use of these lock-ups are below:

DO: Main Entrances

Location lock-ups are intended for exterior welcome signage at the main entrance(s) of a campus.

DO: Set Displays

Location lock-ups can be used for event set displays, such as backdrops and podiums, when media coverage is anticipated and location recognition is strategically necessary.

DO: Event Signage

Indoor temporary signage for events can leverage the respective location lock-up. However, keep in mind that audiences are already aware of their location once at the event.

DON'T: Personal Stationery

Do not use location lock-ups on official JHU stationery or templates, including email signatures, business cards, name badges, letterhead, etc. These lock-ups are not meant to represent an individual’s work location. Instead, use dedicated location fields to input your address.

DON'T: Videos

Do not use location lock-ups for an initial view in a video if the location is made clear at some point in the video through the script or footage.

DON'T: Event Promotion

Location lock-ups may not be use on promotional materials (print or digital) for events. The event location should, instead, be specified with an address for the audience’s ease of navigation. The named location can be included with the address.