Maryland Brand

Logos

The University of Maryland logo is the primary element of our institution's visual identity. The logo provides immediate brand recognition and its proper use is imperative as we work together to maintain a reputation of prestige, excellence, and authority as the flagship institution for higher education in the state of Maryland. All communications sent on behalf of the university should prominently display the university logo. Presenting a professional and unified visual identity is an essential part of building and maintaining our reputation.

For logo guidelines on merchandise, please visit Trademark & Licensing or contact licensing@umd.edu for more information.

Logo Design Guidelines

Primary Logo

The University of Maryland logo is the primary element of our institution's visual identity. The logo provides immediate brand recognition, and its proper use is imperative as we work together to maintain a reputation of prestige, excellence and authority as the flagship institution for higher education in the state of Maryland. Presenting a professional and unified visual identity is an essential part of building and maintaining our reputation.

The symbol should not be reproduced smaller than 3/8" or 32 pixels in height. No alterations are permitted. The globe cannot be used on its own as a standalone graphic element.

University of Maryland Primary logo
University of Maryland Primary logo Displaying Dimensions

Informal Seal

This adaptation of the symbol and university name may be used when space is limited. The informal seal is used to mark unit identities. It should not be reduced below 5/8" or 73 pixels.

University of Maryland informal seal
Flag seal layout sizing
Padding around the informal seal should equal the diameter of the flag seal

Formal Seal

The formal seal has been created to distinguish the University of Maryland from government and public agencies that use the Maryland state seal. The formal seal is reserved for ceremonies, presidential communications, diplomas and certificate application.

University of Maryland Presidential Seal
Flag seal layout sizing
Padding around the official seal should equal the diameter of the flag seal

Word Mark

The word mark can be used without the symbol when designing with one or two colors. It can also be displayed on T-shirts and other collateral where the symbol would clash with other design elements.

University of Maryland Wordmark: Only the Text in a dark color from logo, without flag seal.
University of Maryland Wordmark: Only the Text in a light color from logo, without flag seal.

Incorrect Logo Usage

The following examples demonstrate incorrect logo usage:

An example of an incorrect logo: The primary logo with a dropshadow
An example of an incorrect logo: the primary logo with the colors of the Maryland flag flipped, and the word Maryland in maryland red
An example of an incorrect logo: The circular Maryland flag seal in the primary logo was replaced with the red terrapin shell of the Fearless Ideas campaign
An example of an incorrect logo: The circular Maryland flag seal or other icons are used to replace letters in a word like the o or the period of an exlemation point in the word wrong!

Unit Logos

All UMD colleges, schools, departments, centers and institutes, and non-curricular units must use the approved university mark on all communication materials, to include:

  • Websites
  • Magazine publications
  • Direct mail
  • Letterhead
  • Business cards
  • Email marketing communications
  • External advertising placements

There are only two acceptable variations of department logos available for use. One version emphasizes the University of Maryland, with the school, college, department or institute name secondary, and should be prioritized for application in channels with broad reach, i.e., external-facing direct mail, email or advertising placements. The other version reverses that relationship to emphasize the unit name. Any logo that utilizes the University of Maryland seal should adhere to the design guidelines as outlined in the logo design guidelines.

School of Public Policy | University of Maryland
Logo for the School of Public Health, University of Maryland, emphasizing the University of Maryland
Logo guidelines for names of colleges with department and center

If two or more campus units are coordinating an event, program or other joint effort and require the use of logos, the marks must be separate from one another, and neither may dominate the other, in order to protect the integrity of both logos.

Guidelines for including the logos of two campus units that are coordinating an event, program or other joint effort.

Logo Usage on Website

To ensure brand consistency across all UMD websites and dynamic functionality, the following guidelines apply.

All UMD colleges, schools, departments, centers and institutes, and non-curricular units must use their unit's approved university logo mark in the header and footer of their website.

Robert H. Smith School of Business Website Logo

See example of best practice:

Website Header

Department of Resident Life Website Header

Website Footer

Department of Student Affairs Website Footer

Magazine Consistency

A consistent element for all university magazines enhances our overall brand awareness and strengthens our brand's visual identity.

The covers of all UMD-produced magazines and printed newsletters must include a university footer. The footer is available for use in red and black.

Guidelines for the university footer on all UMD-produced magazines and printed newsletters.

E-newsletter Consistency

University of Maryland units produce hundreds of e-newsletters, providing important information and community-building links to their audiences. Visual consistency in these e-newsletters improves overall brand awareness.

All UMD-produced e-newsletters must include the following UMD header at the top, in either red or black.

Guidelines for header at the top of all UMD-produced e-newsletters.
Guidelines for header at the top of all UMD-produced e-newsletters.

Maryland Logos With Third-party Logos

University marks may not be used in conjunction with the name or marks of any other entity without prior written permission from the Office of Marketing and Communications and that entity. If corporate entity logos are locked up with a university mark on merchandise or promotional giveaways, the item is royalty-bearing.

For more information, contact licensing@umd.edu or visit Trademarks and Licensing.

University Logo for the School of Public Heath, with the Logo for Bank of America to the right of it

Other University Marks

"Muscle Testudo" Mascot Mark

This mascot mark features the cartoon version of the university's mascot, Testudo, holding the letter "M." No alterations in his stance or what he is holding or his facial expression are permitted without approval from Trademarks and Licensing.

Mascot Mark Example

Logo in black and white known as "Muscle Testudo" where the caricature of a muscular diamondback terrapin stands on their hind legs, while holding a large M for Maryland
Logo in color known as "Muscle Testudo" where the caricature of a muscular diamondback terrapin stands on their hind legs, while holding a large M for Maryland

Shell Brand Mark

The stylized turtle shell brand mark, honoring the university's connection to the native diamondback terrapin, is used primarily as an institutional branding asset. It may not be used on athletics-specific or -inspired merchandise.

Nothing may overlap the shell unless it is in designated rectangle space created by Creative Strategies, a unit in the Office of Marketing and Communications.

Example of Mark

Stylized flat Red Diamondback shell.

Request a Logo

All approved unit-level logos are available in the university's digital asset management system, brandportal.umd.edu. If you do not see your logo, please contact the lead communicator in your unit.

The Office of Marketing and Communications produces all official UMD logos. If you need a University of Maryland lockup created, please use the Logo Request Form. Do not modify or create your own logo.