The UC Santa Cruz logotype is essential to include on all materials coming from the university. The logotype is distinctive in its character and thus quickly helps to identify our campus. It should never be redrawn, altered, or distorted.
Download logo files
For use when creating print materials such as flyers, signs, brochures.
For use on digital platforms such as web, presentations, emails.
Logo colors
The UC Santa Cruz logo can only be used in three colors: Santa Cruz blue, black, and white (reversed).
Logo safe space
To ensure legibility and recognizability, our logo must have a minimum safe space around it.
- In most cases, the logo should be of equal prominence to any other brands with which it is shown.
- Allow for adequate space around the logo when used in conjunction with other identifiers.
- Do not place other identifiers closer than the equivalent of the width of 1/2 the logo unless you are using an approved logo lock-up.
Minimum size for print: 1.5 inches wide Minimum size for online usage: 60 pixels tall
Primary logo
Logo misuse
The UC Santa Cruz logo was created as a unified graphic and cannot be altered in any way. Including the using the logo as part of a sentence or phrase and as a watermark. For any questions regarding the correct use of the UC Santa Cruz logo visual identity, please contact the University Relations office of Communications & Marketing.
- Don’t place the logo on clashing colored backgrounds.
- Don’t place the reverse logo on similar tints.
- Don’t place any logo variation on busy backgrounds.
- Don’t place special effects such as drop shadows on the logo
- Don’t skew or distort the logo
- Don’t alternate the color of the logo
Logo don’ts
Core identity verbiage
Because “UCSC” is easily transposed (“USCS”) or confused with other institutions (“USC”), and “University of California, Santa Cruz,” is sometimes erroneously truncated, especially in broadcast media, to “University of Santa Cruz,” “UC Santa Cruz” is the preferred alternate to “University of California, Santa Cruz,” to identify the campus.
Logo lockup and custom logos
Have questions? Need clarification? Reach out.
Lisa Nielsen, Senior Director of Marketing and Creative Services
Miranda Powell, Creative Project Manager & Graphic Designer
The official campus “lockup” combines the campus logo with the name of a department, school, division, or program.
To ensure consistent usage across the larger UC Santa Cruz brand, please use your UC Santa Cruz department logo in accordance with the standards described in this section.
Logo lockup system
Use of the standard department logo system is required for all academic and administrative units—this creates a clean, refined, and unified identity for all of our communications needs and is a simple and impactful way to show affiliation with UC Santa Cruz.
Custom logos are not permitted, but don’t worry—there are lots of ways to bring a distinctive look and feel to your division or department. For example, you can have big, splashy graphics and/or an energizing headline, paired with a standard logo lockup. The Science Division’s homepage is a great example of this. The have used the main ‘hero’ space to leverage a unique message and a distinctive image that sets them apart.
There are a few exceptions to the standard lockup usage on campus that were thoughtfully approved—for example, the Arts Division and Baskin School of Engineering. These both have strong business cases to be made for why their division should have a logo. Please note that not all groups qualify for having their own logo or treatment; instead, these groups will use the UC Santa Cruz department logo. We do not apply these rules for a student only audiences, like clubs.
Other UC Santa Cruz systems
We understand that divisions, departments, and programs have, over the years, created unique logos—for example, the Institute for Social Transformation and Friends of the Farm & Garden.
Going forward, we’d prefer that departments don’t continue doing this kind of unique logo creation. Instead, we encourage all of campus to use the standard lockup. Establishing a unified presentation that brings all of our units under the umbrella of the UC Santa Cruz brand family is important. It provides each department with its own identity while also providing a polished, professional look and conferring the distinction and reputation of the larger campus.
Still not sure? Reach out so we can talk it through.