UiO's design profile is developed to cover the whole spectrum of activities at the university. Different kinds of target audiences require different kinds of content, and the profile accommodates this through a rich colour palette and flexible graphic setups.
For many formats, such as different types of publications, poster, info screens, videos signage and social media, we have developed fixed templates. You'll find an overview of these under the section "Profile in use".
For products where no such templates exist, designs can be created more freely. However, there are some fundamental principles we should follow, to ensure that what we create remain unmistakably UiO.
1. Show the whole logo
UiO's logo contains two elements:
- name ("University of Oslo")
- the seal with Apollon.
The logo must always be complete. That means that both the name and the seal must always be visible on a surface or a product.
On some of our own designs, including posters, publications and info screens, the logo can be split up, so the name is in the top left and the seal at the bottom right. On products such as sweaters and cups, the name feature can be on one side and the seal on the other.
On external surfaces, for instance in collaboration projects and external publications, we must always use a complete logo, with both name and seal. The logo must be in either black or white, but it can sit on a coloured background.
2. Stick to UiO's colours
UiO's colour palette and the use of large coloured surfaces is an important component of our profile. The colour palette is rich, with few restrictions on colour choices.
There is plenty of room for variation and playfulness when it comes to colours - but do not use any other than those specified in the profile.
3. Use our profile fonts – left-adjusted
If the design includes text, make sure to use our designated profile fonts. They are an distinguishing element, and are chosen to ensure good readability on different surfaces.
Swiss or Arial are our main fonts, Suisse and Times are support fonts. While Swiss and Suisse must be bought, Arial and Times are available as standards in most software programmes – and will for the most part suffice.
Left-aligned text is another distinguishing feature we should try to accommodate. When it comes to text formatting, we use regular in titles and headlines - bold and italics should only be used to highlight single words or phrases.
4. Find (or take) engaging UiO pictures
Pictures are also integral to our profile. They are used to enhance content and create engagement. The profile does not include illustrations: Illustrations should only be used to enhance scientific or academic content where photos are not adequate or appropriate.
UiO have buildings filled with fascinating architectural details, materials and colours that signal substance and bind together the university's past and present. With this as the backdrop, and with motives that conveys emotions and atmosphere in the foreground, we get pictures that are unique for UiO and appeal to our target audiences. You'll find a nice selection of photos for use in UiO's photo archive (for UiO-employees).
5. Follow principles of accessibility
The University of Oslo must meet accessibility requirements, and this includes all the graphical materials we produce. Accessibility becomes particularly relevant in connections to the choice of colours for text and background, but it also put requirements on font sized and colour choices in PowerPoint presentations.