Logo Guidelines

Full Color

Reversed Color

Greyscale

Full Color

Reversed Color

Greyscale

Full Color

Reversed Color

Greyscale

Full Color

Reversed Color

Greyscale

Level one logos are available in PhotoShelter.

Primary Logo

Alternative Logo

Level two logos are available in PhotoShelter.

Primary Logo

Alternative Logo

Level three logos are created using the Canva template by a department’s designated Canva user and submitted to University Communications for approval through the Canva workflow.

To maintain a consistent university brand while allowing for flexibility, logos should use an icon or visual with a consistent line weight and style. Icons are placed within a bay blue circle with an ocean blue outline and paired with the CSUMB wave element, wordmark and approved typographic treatment.

Departments and student-serving programs may select an icon from the Font Awesome collection, provided it is not already in use, or choose to have no icon. If no icon is used, the wave element and vertical rule are removed from the design. Refer to the list of unavailable icons before making a selection.

Examples include:

Level four logos are created by request through the University Communications project request form.

Use of trademarked logos not owned by Cal State Monterey Bay requires submission of applicable contracts or supporting documentation for review and approval prior to use.

These marks may only be comprised of the degree-granting college’s level one mark paired with the official name of the degree as it is listed in the Catalog.

Programs, projects and sub-units that do not qualify for a sub-branded logo should use a text-based identifier paired with the Cal State Monterey Bay logo.

Text identifiers must be clearly separated from the logo, maintaining the required minimum clear space. They should use approved university fonts and colors and remain text-only — no additional graphics or visual elements may be added to create a logo.

Suggested arrangements are provided below as examples of appropriate usage.

Maintain clear space around the primary logo to ensure visibility and impact. The minimum clear space should equal the width of the “M” on the left and right, and the height of the “M” above and below the logo.

When reproducing the logo, do not scale it smaller than 1.5 inches in width.

The Cal State Monterey Bay logo may only be used as specified in these guidelines. Altering the logo in any way is not permitted.

Examples of incorrect usage include:

Logo Distortion

Logo Colorization

Logo Shadowing

Logo Rotation

Logo Rearrangement

Attempts to Recreate the Logo

Logo in Shape and Illegible Color Combination

Logo Watermarking

Logo Over Distracting Background

The classic otter spirit mark also comes in several different variants, with guidelines for use. 

Mark in Monterey Bay Blue

Mark in Reversed Color

Mark in Greyscale

Clear Space and Minimum Size Reproduction

In order to set the classic otter spirit mark apart from surrounding elements, leave a space clear of visually competing elements equal to the approximate height of the otter eye all around the otter mark. The exception to this is the watermark version where elements may tastefully run over the mark. When reproducing the mark, follow the minimum width of .75".

Acceptable and Unacceptable Use

The Classic Otter Spirit Mark can be placed next to social club names, and nouns like "Business," "Science," or "Health." Additionally, the mark can be used as a stand-alone graphic with an appropriate clear area from the official logo. The organization name is not to exceed three lines.

The mark may be used by non-academic centers or institutes as well as with the unit or program name for on-campus applications. The organization name is not to exceed three lines.

The mark may be used with additional words or phrases, provided they do not advocate for a specific political party, policy, religion or race/ethnicity, unless they are part of an official student organization name.

Organization names must not exceed three lines.

Use the following formatting guidelines:

• Single-word organization names should appear in all caps
• Multi-word organization names should use title case (capitalized/lowercase)

The mark cannot be altered, changed or overlapped with other content but may appear next to work or other symbols. A body or arms may not be drawn on to extend the design.

The mark may not be used adjacent to or in place of any official university division, department, unit, center or institute name and may not be placed next to "CSUMB" or any other version of the university name.

Never use the mark in close proximity to the institutional logo.