Clear Space
Adhering to prescribed clear space rules around UB marks is necessary to maintain legibility, ensure consistent presentation and maximize impact. When there is insufficient space between a university or unit mark and other elements, the latter could be misconstrued as part of the university’s or unit’s visual identity, and the resulting combination could mistakenly be perceived as an alternative mark or logo.
Please Note: There may be instances where a textual or graphic element near a UB mark adheres to appropriate clear space, and yet the configuration can still be misconstrued as a new logo or mark, particularly when what seems like an aesthetically pleasing arrangement of elements could be used in multiple applications to represent a unit, department, team, school or division. In such cases, it is necessary to follow extended clear space rules to avoid the unintentional creation of a new mark or logo.
Clear Space on Merchandise
Please be aware that proper clear space on merchandise may differ from the guidance below. Contact UBTrademarks@buffalo.edu for more information.
Primary Academic Mark (Interlocking UB) Clear Space
A space equal to the height of the interlocking UB should be observed around the perimeter of the mark.
The interlocking UB cannot be used alone or in conjunction with another word or graphic to create a new mark. A secondary reference to the university should be clearly visible.
Master Brand Logo Clear Space
A space equal to the height of the interlocking UB mark should be observed around the entire lockup construction. The clear space guidance noted here is for general design applications. This specification should never be used as a way to create a new logo, mark or lockup. If the intent is to place a single word or short phrase near the master brand mark and to reuse this construction in multiple instances then you have effectively created a new logo or mark and this is not permitted. The extended clear space rules would apply when a single word or short phrase is being placed near the master brand mark.
Linework Clear Space: Occasionally it makes sense to bring linework in closer proximity to the master brand lockup. For those cases only, a space equal to the distance from the top of the "U" to the top of the "B" should be observed around the entire perimeter of the mark, as indicated by the red rule.
Unit Lockup Clear Space
A space equal to the height of the interlocking UB mark should be observed around the entire lockup construction.
Linework Clear Space: Occasionally it makes sense to bring linework in closer proximity to a unit lockup. For those cases only, a space equal to the distance from the top of the "U" to the top of the "B" should be observed around the entire perimeter of the mark, as indicated by the red rule.
Using Formal Academic Name Visually
When using the formal academic name to represent the university instead of a master brand lockup, use the height of the largest letterform to determine the minimum amount of clear space. This measurement should be observed around the perimeter of the name. These stylized versions of the formal academic name are only acceptable in a very limited capacity on merchandise as an exception, when it is not possible to use the master brand lockup. It is not permissible to pair this stylized version with a unit name, which would create a new logo or lockup.
Endorsed Clear Space
If you choose to place an endorsed brand mark next to the master brand lockup using a divider line, a space equal to the width of the interlocking UB should be used between these marks. Otherwise, please observe the extended clear space rule.
Spirit Mark Clear Space
A space equal to the distance from the tip of the horn to the top of the head should be observed around the entire perimeter of the mark.
NOTE:
The spirit mark should not be used alone or in place of any of our academic marks. It is reserved for applications that support student life and the student experience. Always include a secondary reference to the university or its athletic word mark—the latter is restricted only to athletic usage.
No elements of this mark should be altered, including cut-out areas such as the eyes and brows.
X=distance from tip of horn to top of head
Secondary Academic Mark (Crest) Clear Space
A space equal to the height of the buffalo should be observed around the entire perimeter of the crest.
NOTE:
These clear space rules applies only to merchandise. The crest may be used as a supporting graphic element or watermark in print and digital applications. It should always be associated with the formal academic name, but never locked up.
Extended Clear Space
When multiple logos, lockups and/or other non-UB marks appear on a single communication, appropriate space as shown below should be observed around the UB logo, lockup, spirit mark or crest, making sure that no other logos, lockups, words or short phrases on the piece infringe on that space. Particularly for merchandise applications, this guidance also applies to call to actions, events, names and titles of staff members and departments.
