Logo and Visual Identity
The visual standards of the college help to define appearance and the unique characteristics of CSM.
Maintaining consistency within our visual elements helps to define and differentiate the College of Southern Maryland among our competition. Repetition of our visual elements helps to establish CSM in the minds of our audiences.
The purpose of these standards is to:
- Reinforce the College of Southern Maryland’s identity
- Ensure continuity in appearance of all communications
- Present a positive consistent image of CSM
- Protect and regulate the use of proprietary CSM logo marks and graphics
It is important that all faculty and staff understand these guidelines and adhere to these standards.
View guidelines below and reach out to marketing@csmd.edu if you have questions. Any publication using the college logo must be reviewed by the Marketing and Communications Department prior to publication.
Using CSM Logos
The logo is our institution signature as the primary consistent imagery for the college. A consistent use of the logo is critical when communicating to our targeted audiences. The official college logo guidelines follow.
Logo Dos
- Use the logo on all printed materials that represent the College of Southern Maryland to the public. (The logo mark-left should always be at least 2 inches wide, and the mark-top logo should always be at least 1.5 inch wide.)
- The logo must always be black and PMS 109 (CSM yellow), or white reversed out on a dark color. You may also use the logo reversed out white with a yellow cap on a dark color or solid black.
- Always provide space around the logo, free of typography, graphics, or other distracting elements.
- When using the logo with return addresses on envelopes or postcards, etc., be sure to always use the mark-left logo and left align address underneath. Also be sure to get approval from the Mail, Distribution, and Fulfillment Coordinator at ext. 7763.
Improper Logo Usage
- Never use logotype without logomark. The logotype is only a part of the complete logo artwork and should never be recreated using a font.
- Never use the College of Southern Maryland logo in any form in a line of text.
- Do not change the proportions of the logo or otherwise distort the logo.
- Do not place the logo where a hole punch or binding may interfere with it.
- Do not place the logo on its side or on an angle.
- Never reverse the logo out to a color other than white. When using colored paper, be sure to make the logo black and PMS 109 (CMS yellow), black, or white.
- Never print the logo (which consists of the logomark plus logotype) smaller than 2 inches wide for the mark-left logo or 1.5 inch wide for the mark-top logo.
The College of Southern Maryland official seal may be used only for documents, publications, and official business from the Office of the President. Special exception has been made in using the college seal for the CSM Scholar’s Program. The seal is used on diplomas and certificates, on printed pieces of highest official rank and on the business papers of the Office of the President.
The Official Seal is considered the most formal symbol of the institution.
The CSM Hawks logo is our logo for athletics and student life events. It features Talon, our Hawk mascot. Individual sports logos are available. Please contact marketing@csmd.edu to request a logo.
CSM Hawk Colors
Variations
Hawks Sports Variations
Unpermitted Uses of CSM Hawks Logo
Visual Identity
The College of Southern Maryland’s institutional colors are dark green (PMS 350), yellow (PMS 109), black and white. These colors should be the preferred colors when designing and printing materials, designing and/ or purchasing equipment, supplies, apparel, promotional items, furniture, etc. for the college.
To further identify different areas of the college, marketing materials often have specific bands of color at the bottom to quickly categorize the information as one of the following:
- A dark green (PMS 350) band indicates credit classes or programs
- A yellow (PMS 109) band indicates continuing education/non-credit classes or programs
- A black band indicates an institutional event, program, or message (i.e. college mission or values)
- A white band indicates student services (i.e. advising, career services, financial assistance, etc.)
The Marketing and Communications Department uses several typographic families. When used consistently, the fonts are the foundation for a successful brand identity. Our typographic identity takes many forms, within college publications and all applications that visually represent CSM.
CSM Typographic Identity
In all instances, CSM’s printed or electronic communications should be visually clear and effective. It is recommended that you minimize the number of typefaces used to no more than three.
In the spirit of the College of Southern Maryland, the Hawk is the college’s official mascot. The mark of the Hawk is used for athletic teams and for student communication to promote the CSM pride and experience on our campuses. The Hawk and its mark should never be used in place of the CSM logo.
The Marketing and Communications Department strives to use photos of real students, faculty, and staff in all college materials. We do not encourage the use of clip art or stock photos in official college communication.
CSM Marketing Photography Style
- A focus on subject(s) in the foreground creating depth and visual interest
- Subject(s) should be actively involved in an activity or discussion and be expressive
- Subject(s) should look natural and candid, not posed
- In general photographs of campus buildings should include people and activity to show community or highlight architecturally interesting elements