NordPlus

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Brand Guidelines

2008

Brand Summary

Mission

To contribute to the development of quality and innovation in lifelong learning in the Nordic and Baltic regions through educational cooperation, development projects, exchanges, and networks, promoting Nordic language and culture and mutual understanding.

Core Values

cooperation
focus on results
accessibility
enthusiasm
pan-Nordic/Baltic community
innovation
flexibility

Target Audience

Educational institutions, organizations, and individuals involved in lifelong learning across the Nordic and Baltic countries, including schools, higher education, and adult learning sectors.

Personality Traits

togetherness
community
positivity
authenticity
modern
light
vivid

Visual Identity Overview

The Nordplus visual identity centers on a geometric, multicolored star symbolizing diversity, unity, and the four main programme areas. The brand uses a primary palette of sea blue and white, supported by vibrant secondary colors. Imagery is authentic, natural, and Nordic in style, expressing values of cooperation and community. Typography is consistent, using FP Dancer Pro for a friendly yet strong appearance. The logo is used with strict guidelines for background, sizing, and clear space, ensuring clarity and consistency across applications.

Categories

Brand Imagery

All photographic material used in Nordplus applications should have a Nordic or Baltic origin. It is therefore important to use photos available from Baltic and Nordic imagery collections. Alternatively you can use your own professional photographer.
All of the Nordplus imagery should appear authentic and natural, with a Nordic “look”: modern, light and vivid.
The pictures shall express values such as cooperation, focus on results, accessibility, enthusiasm and pan-Nordic/Baltic community. The pictures shall show people from the target groups of each Nordplus programme. Pictures should not be reproduced in black and white or monotone. On the left you can see examples of pictures from the Nordplus imagery style selected from the Scanpix imagery collection.

Color Palette

Nordplus has its own distinctive set of corporate colours, which are defined as two separate palettes: primary, secondary and additional colours.
The primary colour palette consists of; Sea Blue and white. These primary colours act as important identifiers to help distinguish the Nordplus brand.
The secondary colour palette consists of colours of the Nordplus symbol: Yellow, Cyan, Tangerine, Magenta, Apple Green, Violet and Brown. These secondary corporate colours have been developed for use as highlights and to help support the primary colours, thus giving the Nordplus colour palette more flexibility and vividness. They should only be used after having already used the primary colours when additional colours are required.
There is an additional palette of neutral greys and a light green colour.
The Nordplus brand mark should always appear on a solid white background.
The Nordplus brand mark must never be placed on a photographic image or other coloured background.
In special cases a negative (white) version of the Nordplus logo may be used on one of the defined profile colours.
The same rules apply to the Nordplus programme brand marks.
In lieu of the Nordplus primary, secondary and additional col-ours specified throughout this style guide you may use the Pantone® colours shown in this chart, the standards for which are shown in the current edition of the Pantone Colour Formula Guide 1000.
Colour swatches must always be used for matching when reproducing the Nordplus colours. The coated Pantone colours act as the master colour references to which all other colour specifications should be matched to. This also applies to different materials.
The chart also shows the recommended process (CMYK) colour breakdowns for the Nordplus colours. The process colour breakdowns are provided as starting points and can be adjusted to compensate for different paper stocks and printing processes etc. in order to match the Pantone coated colour swatches more accurately.
The RGB and Hex values give the same result on-screen. RGB values are provided for web designers, whereas the Hex values are provided for web programmers.
Use colours carefully, and never use more than two colours from the second colour palette in addition to the main colour, sea blue.

Typography

A corporate font has been established to strengthen recognition of the Nordplus project: FP Dancer Pro is a design that tries to combine a constructed face with a scriptface: An upright scriptface – a typeface that combines softness and friendliness with more strength. It is used in all applications whenever possible.
The FP Dancer Pro is designed by the Danish type foundry Fontpartners and Danish type architect and designer Morten R. Olsen.
The FP Dancer Pro is licensed to all Nordplus offices.
FP Dancer Pro is available as a family of weights as an Open Type format for both Mac and PC. The recommended weights for use are shown on this page. These are FP Dancer Pro Light, Book and Bold. Bold and Black is used primarily for emphasis-ing words or phrases within text. FP Dancer Pro supports all special characters in the Nordic and Baltic languages.
Tracking is the process of expanding or contracting a block of text. All text composed in FP Dancer Pro should be tracked as follows:
6-9 pt: -10
10 -13 pt: -15
14-17 pt: -20
18-21 pt: -25
22-25 pt: -30
All text larger than 25 pt. should be reviewed individually for maximum optical result.
FP Dancer Pro Book 13 pt
FP Dancer Pro Book 11 pt
FP Dancer Pro Light 9/11 pt
FP Dancer Pro Book 9/10 pt
Headings are set in upper and lower case, or sometimes as capitals, using Light or Book, never Bold or Black.
Body text is usually Light (8/10, 9/11 or 10/12), set to a measure of 8–12 words per line for ease of reading. Space after paragraph should be ca. 2 mm between sections. Bold and Black are used for emphasis within body text for individual words or phrases.
Subhead should be in the same size as the body text; Book on Light, or Bold on Book.
Subhead should be of the same size as the body text; Book on Light, or Bold on Book.
Generally speaking the number of different text weights and sizes should be kept to a minimum. The text is used to convey the author’s message and not to act as decoration. Function over form determines how text should be set and used.
National flag and FP Dancer Pro Light, upper case, 9/8 pt Space after paragraph: 0,5 mm
FP Dancer Pro Book 7/8 pt Space after paragraph: 0,5 mm
FP Dancer Pro Light 7/8 pt Space after paragraph: 0,5 mm

Logo Usage

The Nordplus brand mark consists of the Nordplus symbol and the Nordplus word mark. These elements are of a fixed size and position relative to one another, as shown in Figure 1. Each of them has been specially designed, and the brand marks exist as a unique set of master artworks.
There are two lock-ups of the Nordplus brand mark: the horizontal brand mark in Figure 1 and the vertical brand mark in Figure 2. Wherever possible, the horizontal version should be used in all applications. The vertical version should only be used when space is restricted or when the space available is a portrait shape rather than a landscape shape.
The brand marks should only be reproduced from the master artworks and should not be redrawn or altered in any way. The master artworks have been created in various electronic formats, for both Mac and PC, and are available from Nord-plus / The Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU).
Note: When writing Nordplus in text it should be written as in this sentence, with a capital letter «N» followed by all lower case letters.
Do not use all capital or all lower case letters.
The Nordplus programme brand marks consist of the Nordplus symbol, the Nordplus word mark and the word mark of the specific Nordplus programme. These elements are of a fixed size and position relative to one another, as shown in Figure 1. Each has been specially designed, and the brand marks exist as a unique set of master artworks.
There is just one lock-up of the Nordplus programme brand marks: the horizontal brand marks shown on this page.
The Nordplus programme brand marks should only be reproduced from master artworks and should not be redrawn or altered in any way. The master artworks have been created in various electronic formats, for both Mac and PC, and are available from Nordplus / The Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU).
The Nordplus Programmes brand marks exist in a English language version as shown in figure 1 and in a Scandinavian language version shown in figure 2, except from the Nordplus programme brand mark “Sprog og kultur”.
The Nordplus brand mark should always appear on a solid white background.
The Nordplus brand mark must never be placed on a photographic image or other coloured background.
In special cases a negative (white) version of the Nordplus logo may be used on one of the defined profile colours.
The same rules apply to the Nordplus programme brand marks.
The relative proportions of the symbol and word mark should never be altered.
There are a minimum sizes for the width of the symbol in the Nordplus brand mark, both in the horizontal and in the vertical version.
The minimum size of the Nordplus symbol, horizontal version, is 10 mm.
The minimum size of the Nordplus symbol, vertical version, is 15 mm.
To ensure prominence and legibility the Nordplus brand marks (horizontal and vertical) are always surrounded by an area of clear space which remains free of other elements such as type and imagery.
The minimum area of clear space, as shown in Figure 4, is illustrated here by a rectangular box containing the Nordplus brand mark. This box does not print. Its construction is based on the width of the letter «N» from the Nordplus word mark. This clear space area is a minimum requirement and should be increased wherever possible.
When applying the Nordplus brand mark there are two preferred positions for the horizontal lock-up in a typical application, bottom right, as shown in Figure 1.
When positioning the brand mark always try to provide additional space around the minimum clear space area. Ideally there should be an extra «N» of space around the clear space area. However, if space is seriously restricted use the minimum clear space area to position the brand mark in either the top left or bottom right hand corners.
The vertical lock-up of the brand mark should only be used when space is restricted or when the space available is a portrait shape rather than a landscape shape. Ideally it should be centred within the application to allow for maximum impact, as shown in Figure 2.

Brand Values

When developing the content of the brand the following values were identified: • Nordplus actively provides financing for cooperation in education in a manner that generates results • Nordplus offers Nordic networks by coordinating projects so that everyone involved gets an overview • Nordplus offers a flexible framework programme that encourages innovation • Nordplus offers development and cooperation by making projects available to everyone

Visual Style

The Nordplus brand mark consists of the Nordplus symbol and the Nordplus word mark. These elements are of a fixed size and position relative to one another, as shown in Figure 1. Each of them has been specially designed, and the brand marks exist as a unique set of master artworks.
There are two lock-ups of the Nordplus brand mark: the horizontal brand mark in Figure 1 and the vertical brand mark in Figure 2. Wherever possible, the horizontal version should be used in all applications. The vertical version should only be used when space is restricted or when the space available is a portrait shape rather than a landscape shape.
The brand marks should only be reproduced from the master artworks and should not be redrawn or altered in any way. The master artworks have been created in various electronic formats, for both Mac and PC, and are available from Nord-plus / The Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU).
Note: When writing Nordplus in text it should be written as in this sentence, with a capital letter «N» followed by all lower case letters.
Do not use all capital or all lower case letters.
The Nordplus brand mark should always appear on a solid white background.
The Nordplus brand mark must never be placed on a photographic image or other coloured background.
In special cases a negative (white) version of the Nordplus logo may be used on one of the defined profile colours.
The same rules apply to the Nordplus programme brand marks.
The relative proportions of the symbol and word mark should never be altered.
There are a minimum sizes for the width of the symbol in the Nordplus brand mark, both in the horizontal and in the vertical version.
The minimum size of the Nordplus symbol, horizontal version, is 10 mm.
The minimum size of the Nordplus symbol, vertical version, is 15 mm.
To ensure prominence and legibility the Nordplus brand marks (horizontal and vertical) are always surrounded by an area of clear space which remains free of other elements such as type and imagery.
The minimum area of clear space, as shown in Figure 4, is illustrated here by a rectangular box containing the Nordplus brand mark. This box does not print. Its construction is based on the width of the letter «N» from the Nordplus word mark. This clear space area is a minimum requirement and should be increased wherever possible.
When applying the Nordplus brand mark there are two preferred positions for the horizontal lock-up in a typical application, bottom right, as shown in Figure 1.
When positioning the brand mark always try to provide additional space around the minimum clear space area. Ideally there should be an extra «N» of space around the clear space area. However, if space is seriously restricted use the minimum clear space area to position the brand mark in either the top left or bottom right hand corners.
The vertical lock-up of the brand mark should only be used when space is restricted or when the space available is a portrait shape rather than a landscape shape. Ideally it should be centred within the application to allow for maximum impact, as shown in Figure 2.
Nordplus has its own distinctive set of corporate colours, which are defined as two separate palettes: primary, secondary and additional colours.
The primary colour palette consists of; Sea Blue and white. These primary colours act as important identifiers to help distinguish the Nordplus brand.
The secondary colour palette consists of colours of the Nordplus symbol: Yellow, Cyan, Tangerine, Magenta, Apple Green, Violet and Brown. These secondary corporate colours have been developed for use as highlights and to help support the primary colours, thus giving the Nordplus colour palette more flexibility and vividness. They should only be used after having already used the primary colours when additional colours are required.
There is an additional palette of neutral greys and a light green colour.
Colour swatches must always be used for matching when reproducing the Nordplus colours. The coated Pantone colours act as the master colour references to which all other colour specifications should be matched to. This also applies to different materials.
The chart also shows the recommended process (CMYK) colour breakdowns for the Nordplus colours. The process colour breakdowns are provided as starting points and can be adjusted to compensate for different paper stocks and printing processes etc. in order to match the Pantone coated colour swatches more accurately.
The RGB and Hex values give the same result on-screen. RGB values are provided for web designers, whereas the Hex values are provided for web programmers.
All photographic material used in Nordplus applications should have a Nordic or Baltic origin. It is therefore important to use photos available from Baltic and Nordic imagery collections. Alternatively you can use your own professional photographer.
All of the Nordplus imagery should appear authentic and natural, with a Nordic “look”: modern, light and vivid.
The pictures shall express values such as cooperation, focus on results, accessibility, enthusiasm and pan-Nordic/Baltic community. The pictures shall show people from the target groups of each Nordplus programme. Pictures should not be reproduced in black and white or monotone.
The decorative branch is used as a decorative element connected to open space on white, coloured or photographic backgrounds. The branches can be flipped and/or rotated to match the open space.
On a white background it should always be coloured Light Green. On a coloured background it should appear white or in a slightly lighter version of the background colour. On a photographic image it can appear white or white with an opacity of 50% or less.
The basic geometric figure of the Nordplus star can be combined in different patterns using tints of the Light Green colour, filled or outlined.

Layout And Composition

The Nordplus brand mark consists of the Nordplus symbol and the Nordplus word mark. These elements are of a fixed size and position relative to one another, as shown in Figure 1. Each of them has been specially designed, and the brand marks exist as a unique set of master artworks.
There are two lock-ups of the Nordplus brand mark: the horizontal brand mark in Figure 1 and the vertical brand mark in Figure 2. Wherever possible, the horizontal version should be used in all applications. The vertical version should only be used when space is restricted or when the space available is a portrait shape rather than a landscape shape.
The brand marks should only be reproduced from the master artworks and should not be redrawn or altered in any way.
The Nordplus brand mark should always appear on a solid white background.
The Nordplus brand mark must never be placed on a photographic image or other coloured background.
In special cases a negative (white) version of the Nordplus logo may be used on one of the defined profile colours.
The same rules apply to the Nordplus programme brand marks.
The relative proportions of the symbol and word mark should never be altered.
There are a minimum sizes for the width of the symbol in the Nordplus brand mark, both in the horizontal and in the vertical version.
To ensure prominence and legibility the Nordplus brand marks (horizontal and vertical) are always surrounded by an area of clear space which remains free of other elements such as type and imagery.
The minimum area of clear space, as shown in Figure 4, is illustrated here by a rectangular box containing the Nordplus brand mark. This box does not print. Its construction is based on the width of the letter «N» from the Nordplus word mark. This clear space area is a minimum requirement and should be increased wherever possible.
When applying the Nordplus brand mark there are two preferred positions for the horizontal lock-up in a typical application, bottom right, as shown in Figure 1.
When positioning the brand mark always try to provide additional space around the minimum clear space area. Ideally there should be an extra «N» of space around the clear space area. However, if space is seriously restricted use the minimum clear space area to position the brand mark in either the top left or bottom right hand corners.
The vertical lock-up of the brand mark should only be used when space is restricted or when the space available is a portrait shape rather than a landscape shape. Ideally it should be centred within the application to allow for maximum impact, as shown in Figure 2.
The preferred format for Nordplus programme leaflets is A4 (297x210 mm), folded to a standing 6-page leaflet (100 x 210 mm).
Use colours carefully, and never use more than two colours from the second colour palette in addition to the main colour, sea blue.
All Nordplus applications, including leaflets, should be printed on uncoated paper: Preferred paper quality for leaflets: Papyrus MultiDesign Original Natural, 200 g, Papyrus Highland Offset, 190 g or similar.

Brand Architecture

It was therefore decided to develop a unique visual identity for the Nord-plus project as a sub brand to Norden – the brand of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The Norden logo shall therefore be used in combination with the Nordplus logo as described in this document.
The Nordplus brand mark consists of the Nordplus symbol and the Nordplus word mark. These elements are of a fixed size and position relative to one another, as shown in Figure 1. Each of them has been specially designed, and the brand marks exist as a unique set of master artworks.
There are two lock-ups of the Nordplus brand mark: the horizontal brand mark in Figure 1 and the vertical brand mark in Figure 2. Wherever possible, the horizontal version should be used in all applications. The vertical version should only be used when space is restricted or when the space available is a portrait shape rather than a landscape shape.
The brand marks should only be reproduced from the master artworks and should not be redrawn or altered in any way. The master artworks have been created in various electronic formats, for both Mac and PC, and are available from Nord-plus / The Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU).
Note: When writing Nordplus in text it should be written as in this sentence, with a capital letter «N» followed by all lower case letters.
Do not use all capital or all lower case letters.
The Nordplus programme brand marks consist of the Nordplus symbol, the Nordplus word mark and the word mark of the specific Nordplus programme. These elements are of a fixed size and position relative to one another, as shown in Figure 1. Each has been specially designed, and the brand marks exist as a unique set of master artworks.
There is just one lock-up of the Nordplus programme brand marks: the horizontal brand marks shown on this page.
The Nordplus programme brand marks should only be reproduced from master artworks and should not be redrawn or altered in any way. The master artworks have been created in various electronic formats, for both Mac and PC, and are available from Nordplus / The Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU).
The Nordplus Programmes brand marks exist in a English language version as shown in figure 1 and in a Scandinavian language version shown in figure 2, except from the Nordplus programme brand mark “Sprog og kultur”.

Additional Properties

Property	Value
Wikidata Link	Open Wikidata

Property	Value
Main Subject	training, international collaboration
Founded By	Nordic Council of Ministers