Central College Athletics

Official Websites

• https://athletics.central.edu
• https://central.edu
• http://central.edu/athletics

Brand Guidelines

2017

Brand Summary

Mission

• To raise Central College’s profile in a competitive marketplace by employing a graphic identity that is bright, visually appealing, unique, and distinctive, reflecting the powerful championships legacy of Central College athletics and maintaining brand discipline for a consistent, recognizable look that enhances the institutional brand and helps Central athletics stand out.

Core Values

• consistency
• recognizability
• discipline
• distinctiveness
• legacy

Target Audience

• Apparel, gear, signage, and materials associated with the Central College athletics department, including student-athletes, athletics staff, and vendors producing branded merchandise.

Personality Traits

• competitive
• authoritative
• robust
• bold
• modern

Visual Identity Overview

• The visual identity centers on strong geometric shapes, clean lines, and a bold color palette of red (Pantone 185), white, and cool gray (Pantone 3). Logos feature prominent block-style ‘C’ letters and stylized lion emblems, with strict guidelines for color usage, typography (Encode Sans Wide), and logo placement. The style is minimalistic, modern, and designed for clarity and impact across uniforms, merchandise, and promotional materials.

Categories

Color Palette

• The athletics identity colors are Red Pantone 185 and white. Cool Gray Pantone 3 is used as an accent color. The identity is not to be used in any other colors.
• Only red or white uniform colors are permitted. Exceptions are made for baseball/softball uniforms where traditional road gray uniforms are allowed.
• In unique situations, the athletics director may grant exceptions for gray as an alternate uniform color.
• In addition to red and white, gray may be used as an alternate color. Each are considered brand-aligned. Multiple shades of gray are permitted, including dark/smoky gray. There are dark and light background versions of each athletics mark. When using gray, please determine if the gray is dark or light and then choose the appropriate version of the athletics mark.
• Black is not a school color and it is preferred that it not be used, but there are situations where options are limited and it is permitted, with approval.
• If gear/apparel is produced in any other color, the athletics logo and specified font may not be used.
• NOTE: Due to the inconsistent calibration of screens and desktop printers, always refer to the Pantone® specifications for accurate color reproduction.
• Pantone 185 C: 0 M: 93 R: 203 G: 32 Madiera: 1485 HTML: cb2026 Y: 79 B: 38 K : 0
• Pantone Cool Gray 3 C: 8 M: 5 Y: 7 K : 16 R: 203 G: 200 B: 199 Madiera: 1687 HTML: cbc7c7
• Note that specific color rotations are required for light, dark, or gray backgrounds. For details about which logo should be used, please see page 25.
• When the logo is applied to white, the light background option should be used. When applied to red or similarly dark-colored backgrounds, the dark background option should be used.
• In instances where the logos are applied to gray or similarly toned backgrounds, consid­eration must be given to shade and contrast. If the gray is darker, then the dark back­ground variant might be a better choice. If it’s lighter, then choose the gray background option.
• Do not use unapproved colors
• Do not modify color placement
• Never invert colors

Typography

• The font that has been specified for the Central College athletics identity is Encode Sans Wide. This is an open source font and is available for download from the digital font foundry Impallari.
• Encode Wide is also available as a web font for use in digital applications.
• ENCODE SANS Wide Regular
• ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 1234567890
• ENCODE SANS Wide Bold
• ENCODE SANS Wide Black

Logo Usage

• Always use approved digital artwork. Do not attempt to recreate. The athletics identity is available in multiple formats (JPEG, Tiff, EPS, AI, PNG, PDF). EPS and AI files are considered scalable vector art. JPEG, Tiff and PNG files should be scaled at 100 percent or less. Artwork can be obtained by contacting the Central Communications Office at 641-628-5278 or sportsinfo@central.edu. Office staff members are happy to work directly with vendors if desired.
• The artwork in this guide replaces all former Central athletics marks and logos. The only grandfathered exception is on the Central football helmet, which has featured the old University of Chicago C for more than 60 years. However, that C may not be used on any other football team apparel or materials.
• The athletics identity colors are Red Pantone 185 and white. Cool Gray Pantone 3 is used as an accent color. The identity is not to be used in any other colors.
• If gear/apparel is produced in any other color, the athletics logo and specified font may not be used.
• The primary Central Dutch logo is available as a two-color variant and a one-color variant.
• Note that specific color rotations are required for light, dark, or gray backgrounds. For details about which logo should be used, please see page 25.
• The primary Central logo is available as a two -color variant and a one-color variant.
• Note that specific color rotations are required for light, dark, or gray backgrounds. for details about which logo should be used, please see page 25.
• The alternate Central Dutch lion logo is available as a two-color variant and a one­color variant.
• The alternate Central lion logo is available as a two-color variant and a one-color variant.
• The alternate Dutch lion logo is available as a two-color variant and a one-color variant.
• Minimum size requirements have been established for embroidery applications. The same requirements apply to patches.
• These requirements do not apply to print or digital applications where the clarity of the logos can be maintained at smaller sizes.
• An area of isolation should be maintained around all logos at all times. This area is determined by the metrics shown here.
• When the logo is applied to white, the light background option should be used. When applied to red or similarly dark-colored backgrounds, the dark background option should be used.
• In instances where the logos are applied to gray or similarly toned backgrounds, consid­eration must be given to shade and contrast. If the gray is darker, then the dark back­ground variant might be a better choice. If it’s lighter, then choose the gray background option.
• Common misuse examples are shown here. These examples apply to all logos in the system including primary, secondary and word marks.
• Do not use unapproved colors
• Do not modify color placement
• Never use in reference to non-athletic entities
• Never alter the proportions
• Never rotate the logo
• Do not skew the logo
• Never add graphic components i.e. sports equipment
• Do not apply over visually confusing backgrounds
• Never invert colors

Visual Style

• The athletics identity colors are Red Pantone 185 and white. Cool Gray Pantone 3 is used as an accent color. The identity is not to be used in any other colors.
• Only red or white uniform colors are permitted. Exceptions are made for baseball/softball uniforms where traditional road gray uniforms are allowed.
• In unique situations, the athletics director may grant exceptions for gray as an alternate uniform color.
• In addition to red and white, gray may be used as an alternate color. Each are considered brand-aligned. Multiple shades of gray are permitted, including dark/smoky gray. There are dark and light background versions of each athletics mark. When using gray, please determine if the gray is dark or light and then choose the appropriate version of the athletics mark.
• Black is not a school color and it is preferred that it not be used, but there are situations where options are limited and it is permitted, with approval.
• If gear/apparel is produced in any other color, the athletics logo and specified font may not be used.
• Pantone 185 C: 0 M: 93 Y: 79 K : 0 R: 203 G: 32 B: 38 Madiera: 1485 HTML: cb2026
• Pantone Cool Gray 3 C: 8 M: 5 Y: 7 K : 16 R: 203 G: 200 B: 199 Madiera: 1687 HTML: cbc7c7
• Always use approved digital artwork. Do not attempt to recreate. The athletics identity is available in multiple formats (JPEG, Tiff, EPS, AI, PNG, PDF). EPS and AI files are considered scalable vector art. JPEG, Tiff and PNG files should be scaled at 100 percent or less.
• Uniform designs may vary, but elements included in this manual are the only elements that may be utilized.
• The artwork in this guide replaces all former Central athletics marks and logos. The only grandfathered exception is on the Central football helmet, which has featured the old University of Chicago C for more than 60 years. However, that C may not be used on any other football team apparel or materials.
• Minimum size requirements have been established for embroidery applications. The same requirements apply to patches. These requirements do not apply to print or digital applications where the clarity of the logos can be maintained at smaller sizes.
• An area of isolation should be maintained around all logos at all times. This area is determined by the metrics shown here.
• When the logo is applied to white, the light background option should be used. When applied to red or similarly dark-colored backgrounds, the dark background option should be used.
• In instances where the logos are applied to gray or similarly toned backgrounds, consid­eration must be given to shade and contrast. If the gray is darker, then the dark back­ground variant might be a better choice. If it’s lighter, then choose the gray background option.
• Common misuse examples are shown here. These examples apply to all logos in the system including primary, secondary and word marks.
• Do not use unapproved colors
• Do not modify color placement
• Never use in reference to non-athletic entities
• Never alter the proportions
• Never rotate the logo
• Do not skew the logo
• Never add graphic components i.e. sports equipment
• Do not apply over visually confusing backgrounds
• Never invert colors

Additional Properties