1.0 Policy Purpose
The Brown Visual Identity Policy establishes that Brown’s distinctive brand identity consists of University Trademarks (e.g., Logos, affinity marks, insignias, images, seals, symbols, and design elements) and specific, approved Visual Elements (e.g., colors, typography, photography, patterns and textures, icons, and illustrations) set forth in the Brown University Visual Identity Standards, and that these Trademarks and Visual Elements officially represent Brown University.
2.0 To Whom the Policy Applies
This policy applies to Members of the Brown Community, University Units, Athletics Teams, Student Organizations, alumni, and Alumni Groups. It also applies to External Third Parties and other individuals and entities external to the University that seek to use Brown’s Trademarks or Visual Elements.
3.0 Policy Statement
Brown’s Visual Identity comprises the Trademarks and Visual Elements that shape the University’s brand, reflecting its unique history, reputation, and mission. It unites Brown’s schools, units, departments, offices, and programs under a shared identity, reinforcing their collective excellence and connecting people, programs, and initiatives to Brown’s legacy of academic excellence, innovation, and alumni achievement. Brown’s Visual Identity Standards outline proper use of Brown’s Trademarks and Visual Elements for the purpose of building and sustaining a strong, easily recognizable identity that ensures that every unit at Brown benefits from the well-established history of the University’s excellence.
3.1 Visual Identity Standards
Brown University’s Visual Identity Standards:
- provide a look and feel that endows every part of the community with Brown’s history, ethos and reputation
- support units with the extension of the University’s “brand” recognition
- avoid dilution of the University’s strong identity
- ensure units benefit from centrally administered resources for design, Trademark, legal, and other expenses supporting the official visual identity
- ensure Visual Elements adhere to best practices in accessible design
- reinforce shared identity, community and values
Marketing and communications applications of Brown’s Visual Identity include, but are not limited to, websites, digital and electronic communications, advertising, video and photography, signage, print collateral, display materials and exhibits, technology platforms and tools, manufactured goods and products, and more.
3.2 Visual Identity Requirements
Brown’s Trademarks and Visual Elements must conform to standards approved and authorized by the Office of University Communications set forth in Brown’s Visual Identity Standards. All University Trademarks must be used in accordance with the Brown Name Use, Trademark and Licensing Policy.
- All requests to alter or add new Visual Elements to Brown’s Visual Identity such as colors, typefaces, or icons, must be approved in writing by the Office of University Communications.
- All requests to alter marks or Logos or create new ones must be approved in writing by the Office of University Communications.
- New Brown marks or Logos may not be created unless the Office of University Communications, in consultation with the Office of the President or Provost and the Office of the General Counsel, determines that new marks should be created.
3.3 Font Licensing
Brown University’s typefaces directly impact brand recognition, user experience and readability. All of Brown’s approved typefaces are available to faculty, students and staff with a brown.edu email address via the University’s Adobe Creative Cloud enterprise license. If Adobe fonts are not available, Brown units may use approved Universal Alternative Fonts instead as outlined by the Visual Identity Standards.
The purchase of custom fonts typically requires a fee-based license agreement ensuring that font usage and users remain compliant with licensing terms. Brown units are not permitted to purchase custom fonts or enter into fee-based license agreements for font usage. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for exceptional circumstances with written approval by the Office of University Communications.
4.0 Definitions
- Alumni Group:
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University-approved regional Brown University clubs, class-based groups, affinity groups (alumni with common interests, identity, and purpose), graduate and medical school Alumni Groups, and members of the Brown Alumni Association and Brown Alumni Association Board of Governors.
- Athletics Team:
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An approved varsity, club, or intramural team that is registered in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the University.
- Logo(s):
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The graphic symbol or symbols made up of text and/or images that identify Brown University, as detailed in the University’s Visual Identity Standards.
- Member(s) of the Brown Community:
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Faculty (including instructors and visiting faculty), students (including undergraduate, medical, graduate, professional, and postdoctoral fellows and researchers), staff, members of the Corporation of Brown University and its committees, volunteers, and sponsored-ID holders.
- Student Organization:
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An approved group of students that is registered in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the University.
- Trademark(s):
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Logos, affinity marks, insignias, images, seals, symbols, and design elements that are long established by use as uniquely associated with and representing Brown’s distinctive brand. The University’s Trademarks include, but are not limited to the following: the words BROWN, Brown University, Brunonian, Bruno the Bear, the official Brown seal, the Brown Coat of Arms with and without the BROWN wordmark, the Athletics B with Indomitable Bear, Go Bruno, the Brown with Arch Design, the Special Brown Font Design, Ever True and Affinity Marks that include any of Brown’s Trademarks. This also includes long-established Iconic Images of Brown’s physical campus.
- University Unit(s):
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Schools, divisions, departments, centers, institutes, programs, offices and recognized academic and administrative programs, activities and initiatives of Brown University.
- Visual Elements:
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Design elements including but not limited to Logos, colors, typography, photography, patterns and textures, icons and illustrations, etc.
- Visual Identity Standards:
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A set of approved guidelines that outline proper use of Brown’s Trademarks and Visual Elements for the purpose of building and sustaining a strong, easily recognizable identity that ensures that every unit at Brown benefits from the well-established history of the University’s excellence.
5.0 Responsibilities
All individuals to whom this policy applies are responsible for becoming familiar with and following this policy. University supervisors and employees with student oversight duties are responsible for promoting the understanding of this policy and for taking appropriate steps to help ensure and enforce compliance with it.
For external uses of Brown’s Visual Elements and/or Trademarks, it is the responsibility of the Member of the Brown Community and/or University Unit at Brown that has the relationship with an External Third Party – and granted permission to allow the External Third Party to use Brown’s Trademarks to represent an affiliation – to monitor the use of Brown’s Trademarks to ensure compliance with this policy and the Brown Name Use, Trademark and Licensing Policy.
Brown’s Visual Identity Standards are administered by the Office of University Communications.
6.0 Consequences for Violating this Policy
Failure to comply with this and related policies is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension without pay, or termination of employment or association with the University, in accordance with applicable (e.g., staff, faculty, student) disciplinary procedures.
The unauthorized use of Brown’s Trademarks by External Third Parties or non-employees is subject to civil and criminal penalties, and Brown reserves the right to take appropriate action including, but not limited to, the confiscation of goods, financial penalties, and legal action.
7.0 Related Information
Brown University is a community in which individuals are encouraged to share concerns with University leadership. Additionally, Brown’s Anonymous Reporting Hotline allows anonymous and confidential reporting on matters of concern online or by phone (877-318-9184).
The following information complements and supplements this document. The information is intended to help explain this policy and is not an all-inclusive list of policies, procedures, laws and requirements.
7.1 Related Policies
7.2 Related Procedures
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7.3 Related Forms
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7.4 Frequently Asked Questions
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Policy Owner and Contact(s)
Policy Owner: Senior Vice President for Communications
Policy Approved by: President
Contact Information:
Policy History
Policy Issue Date:
Policy Effective Date:
Policy Update/Review Summary:
Previous policy version(s) superseded by this policy:
- Visual Identity Policy and Strategy, Last Reviewed Date: July 21, 2015
Webpage Updated May 28, 2026