University of Kansas brand guidelines
The University of Kansas Brand Center provides strategy, editorial standards, and visual design rules alongside asset links for campus communicators.
The University of Kansas Brand Center homepage introduces the Towering Toward the Blue brand strategy with embedded video and guideline navigation.
The downloads index displays links to photo collections, visual assets, and the official mark request process.
The stationery orders page features letterhead and business card mockups with guidance on ordering standard and bilingual cards.
The writing guide outlines voice, tone, editorial rules, and a vocabulary breakdown of approved and retired words.
The graphic elements page provides technical layout instructions and examples for visible grids, holding boxes, and motifs.
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I like how grounded the University of Kansas portal feels. Instead of handing off abstract motifs, the team demonstrates each graphic element right beside real application mockups. The writing guide stands out by listing phrases inspired by Towering Toward the Blue alongside a clear list of retired terms to avoid, like past campaign language around Rise. They even tackle specific layout mechanics, detailing exact stroke weights and tools for drawing visible grids. It gives campus communicators practical boundaries without burying them under corporate jargon.
At a glance
- Sections
- Home · Brand · Brand Background · Guidelines · Downloads · KU CMS · Trademark Licensing · Stationery Ordering
- Downloads
- InDesign, PDF
- Tone
- Academic, disciplined, and supportive institutional guidance designed to unify university communications.
What I noticed
- The graphic elements guide presents each visual asset centered between two application mockups.1
- The writing guide lists approved vocabulary derived from the Towering Toward the Blue theme alongside past campaign terms to avoid.23
- Grid documentation gives step-by-step instructions for generating a 1:1 square ratio visible grid with the Rectangular Grid tool.4
- Official university marks and signatures require an explicit request workflow rather than direct open downloads.5
Numbers refer to the screenshots above.
What I could not see
- Could not inspect the full contents of the downloadable InDesign and PDF example layout packages.
- Could not review the trademark licensing requirements due to limited viewport depth.
- Could not access the forthcoming stationery ordering portal.
Ideas to borrow
- List explicit retired phrases from older institutional campaigns directly in the copy guide so writers know what not to recycle.3
Quick answers
How can I download the University of Kansas logo?
Official marks, logos, and signatures cannot be downloaded directly; they must be requested through the official marks request process in the downloads section.65
What design templates are available for graphic elements?
The brand center provides downloadable example layouts and graphic elements in InDesign and PDF formats.78
What typeface is specified for the KU faux seal?
The circular faux seal graphic specifies the Cartograph CF typeface.9
Reviewed on 25 September 2026. Request a correction · I built this
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