SECONDARY DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM LOGOS

We encourage the use of the Charging Bison + Department logos that have been developed to represent SKC. These logos were created to enhance the visual recognition of SKC’s branding across multiple channels of communication. However, if a department or program feels it is necessary to develop and use a unique secondary mark of their own we have created a program to ensure a strong connection with SKC and the proper hierarchy of logo placement and usage.

SECONDARY/DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM LOGO DEVELOPMENT & APPROVAL PROCEDURE

A department/program that wants to develop a secondary logo must first review the development guidelines in this style guide. If they want to continue development they must contact the marketing committee with their intention to do so.
A representative of the marketing committee will contact the department/program and ensure adequate understanding of the guidelines.

During development of the new mark, the marketing committee needs to be kept apprised of the progress of the project. Suggestions will be made to provide for the most professional and standards based mark possible.

When development is complete the marketing committee will provide a green light approval to the department/program and they are free to use the logo within the guidelines of unique secondary department/program logo usage (in this style guide).

If you elect to develop a unique secondary logo consider the following:

  1. Why do you need a separate, program specific logo/mark that is a departure from the official SKC brand identity?
  2. Departments must provide an explanation of why if they want to use iconic Native American elements in their logos. Consider the uniqueness of Selish, Ktunaxa, Qlispe cultures when developing an identity.
  3. New marks should indicate something about the unique mission, subject, location or origin of the department/program it represents.

MOVING FORWARD WITH SECONDARY LOGO DEVELOPMENT

If a department or program feels it is necessary to develop a mark that is a departure from the official SKC brand the new mark must still adhere to the SKC brand guidelines. Observing these guidelines helps SKC maintain a consistent brand presence. All new department and program logos must follow these guidelines:

Professional Design Secondary Logos at SKC

All logos must have a professionally designed appearance (refer to “20 important things to consider when developing a logo” at the bottom of this page). We encourage the use of local graphic design professionals and graduates of SKC Media Design program.

Hierarchy of college entities and marks

Follow the hierarchy of college entities - Salish Kootenai College / SKC should be presented first and largest. After all, no department, division or program would be here if SKC didn’t come first.

SKC Colors Reminder

Reinforce SKC Branding by:

Use of official SKC Colors

Prominence of Black and Gold

Follow the hierarchy of color in the Brand Style Guide

UNIQUE SECONDARY LOGO USAGE

Once a secondary department /program logo has been successfully developed there are other guidelines to be followed to ensure the consistent presentation of Salish Kootenai College’s branding. These guidelines are an attempt to avoid potential confusion between a department/program and the College while allowing maximum exposure to both the parent and child entities.

Acceptable usages of unique secondary logos without the official SKC logo:

  • Favicons
  • Social Media profile images
  • Department/Program Apparel
  • Promotional products (key chains, mugs, cups, etc;)
  • Academic presentation posters
  • Event Joint sponsorship

Situations in which the secondary department/program logo is acceptable, but must be visually subordinate in size and location to the College logo:

  • Advertising Flyers/Posters
  • Signage (including banners)
  • Website design

DEPARTMENTS AND PROGRAMS CURRENTLY USING THE SKC SEAL AS PART OF THEIR BRANDING

Salish Kootenai College has been a leader in Native American education for nearly 40 years. Most of this time it has existed without a comprehensive style guide. As a result there have been numerous versions of department and program marks that have been adaptations of the SKC seal. As we are transitioning the seal to a place of higher regard a transition from the use of it in department/program branding will also soon begin.

Any department that is currently using or adapting the SKC seal is asked to contact the marketing committee and begin a transition toward the use of a charging bison department/program logo.

Salish Kootenai College Full Color Seal - Preferred

DEPARTMENTS AND PROGRAMS CURRENTLY USING A SECONDARY LOGO

Again, over the years SKC has seen departments and programs that have developed secondary marks that are similar but different from the SKC seal. Some of these marks do not adhere to the current brand guidelines. To increase the visual consistency of SKC official and secondary marks, these will need to see slight re-designs to bring up to standards.

Departments that currently have approved secondary marks are asked to contact the marketing committee to discuss how their marks can be brought up to these standards. Any department that is currently using or adapting the SKC seal is asked to contact the marketing committee and begin a transition toward the use of a charging bison department/program logo.

FYI: 20 IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN DEVELOPING A LOGO

1. Simplicity
2. Readability
3. Comprehensive
4. Sharp contrast of black (dark) and white (light)
5. The predominance of "black" (a single color or tone)
6. Natural Containment (avoid a 'strung-out' look)
7. Visual stability
8. Good memory retention (high recall)
9. Original
10. Reproduces in Any size of medium
11. Stimulates visual interest (aesthetically pleasing)
12. Clarity (clean, sharp, and direct--avoid ambiguity)
13. Positive association of all elements (no incorrect or negative connotation)
14. Avoid being highly stylized or dated
15. Universal understanding (constant meaning across culture and background)
16. Understandable to children and the illiterate
17. Easily learned and easily taught
18. Appropriate for context
19. Represents precise information
20. Represent accurately