Logos, trademarks and downloads
Mines’ legacy triangle suggests movement and change as the school adapts and reacts to the needs of the world. It’s a bold mark — paired with a slab serif typeface — that reflects our stature in the world today while respecting the significant accomplishments of our past. Applied consistently and cohesively, the logo makes a contemporary, future-oriented, sophisticated impression. We are Mines, a leader of the 21st century.
Mines logos are registered trademarks. When using these marks, please do not alter the artwork in any way, and do not stack, skew or modify them.
Logos
All materials should include an approved Mines signature/logo, use the Mines color palette and follow typography guidelines. It is encouraged that students and student organizations use the approved Mines logos, but they must seek permission first.
Approvals
The university’s name and identifying marks are officially licensed and are therefore protected and regulated by several offices at Mines. For approval to use the various logos, review the contacts below:
- Mines logo on products and apparel, request approval from Lisa Goberis with Student Life Business Services
- Mines logo in print or digital medium, request approval from Christina Vessa with Communications and Marketing
- Blaster, request approval from Tim Flynn with Athletics
- If you have any questions, contact Christina Vessa
Institutional mark
The Colorado School of Mines institutional mark should be primarily used on materials that have a long shelf life or serve as primary recruitment tools for external audiences. Academic and administrative communications and marketing materials should default to this mark.
While the university owns the trademark on the word “Mines,” and this word easily identifies the university to familiar audiences, there is also a variation that features the full wordmark “Colorado School of Mines.” The version with the full name may be used for small spaces where the text within the Legacy Triangle is illegible, or in instances where we are communicating with external audiences who are unfamiliar with the university.
Download the institutional lockups in RGB
Download the institutional lockups in CMYK
Examples of items that should use the institutional mark include the following:
- Environmental branding, such as pole banners, wall decals, statues, glass and other permanent displays
- Building signage and building displays that are permanent
- Staff clothing or uniforms that have a long shelf life and can be reused for years
- Campus vehicle fleets
- Stationery items, such as business cards, letterhead and envelopes
- Recruitment materials such as program flyers, Admissions email marketing campaigns
Do not use the institutional marks with the “Mines” or “Colorado School of Mines” wordmark on apparel and merchandise – instead, default to the standalone legacy triangle (information below).
The Colorado School of Mines horizontal logo consists of the Legacy Triangle paired with the wordmark, aligned horizontally to form the full signature. This variation is commonly used on academic and administrative materials, recruitment pieces and marketing collateral.
When using this application in small spaces, keep in mind that the minimum reproduction size for the horizontal signature is 2 inches wide.
Legacy Triangle (merchandise and apparel only)
The Mines legacy triangle is a bold mark that reflects our stature in the world today, while respecting the significant accomplishments of our past. The standalone legacy triangle translates well to embroidery and print and may be used as the preferred mark on merchandise and apparel items.
Download the legacy triangle logos in RGB
Download the legacy triangle logos in CMYK
When to use the legacy triangle by itself
- Apparel and merchandise
- Plaques and special recognitions, such as pins
Do not use the standalone legacy triangle on:
- Academic marketing materials
- Academic informational materials, such as the catalog or department websites
- Administrative communications
- Any website applications
- Recruitment materials
- Advertisements
Unit identifiers
The Mines unit identifier serves as a consistent way for offices, departments and units to identify themselves in ways that utilize the Mines trademarks. The unit identifier will always utilize the MINES trademark in the Worker, slab serif font. The unit identifiers are the only approved secondary logos across campus and must be officially requested from the Communications and Marketing team.
Unit identifiers should only be used on materials for internal audiences or audiences who are familiar with the university. For all other materials facing external audiences, please default to the guidance regarding institutional marks above.
Examples for usage:
- Materials promoting campus-wide events for the Mines community
- Poster and flyers that will be displayed on campus
- Merchandise and apparel related to a specific department, office or unit
To request a unit identifier, please complete a Communications and Marketing request form.
Email signatures
While the suggested Mines email signature formatting can be copied and pasted into your Outlook email signature editor, it is recommended that you download the logo files below and manually re-size the image in order to maintain quality.
Font: Aptos, size 11
Download the email signature logo files here (RGB)
Please re-size the Mines logo to fit a size of 0.8" tall by 2.2" wide by clicking on the image dragging the corner in Outlook.
Firstname Lastname (pronouns)
Position Title (dark blue, bold, #21314d)
Unit Name
Colorado School of Mines
Address, Golden, CO, 80401
303-XXX-XXXX | email@mines.edu (Colorado Red, bold, #CC4628)
How to Create and add a signature in Microsoft Outlook
Historic design elements
This historical mark was used in conjunction with the university’s logo for many years. You may use this graphic in materials or incorporate the “earth, energy, environment” language in writing. However, it will not be displayed with the university’s logo moving forward. Earth, energy, and environment helps to provide context around what we do at Mines, but it’s not inclusive of all we do. Use at your discretion when relevant to your area and use when context is needed.
Anniversary lockup
The MINES@150 anniversary lockup should be used during the anniversary year and when celebrating the institution’s 150th anniversary, such as events, digital spaces, gifts in the form of merchandise and apparel, magazines and publications from spring 2023-fall 2024. This mark may be used by academic and administrative offices, programs, units and departments around campus. Using this mark is an opportunity to highlight our long, established history and indicate to our celebration of the anniversary.
Examples of these items include the following:
- Mines Magazine
- MINES.edu
- Apparel and merchandise ordered by departments, units and offices as giveaways or gifts
- Event invitations and materials
- Brochures and paper marketing materials related to the anniversary
- Banners and backdrops that have a lifespan of 1-2 years
- Advertisements
Nomenclature
- The legacy triangle is the reuleaux with the pick, pike, and candle.
- The wordmark is the part of the logo that says MINES or COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES.
- The institutional logo is the legacy triangle along with the wordmark.
- The anniversary lockup is the institutional logo with reference to the 150-year anniversary.
- The contemporary triangle is the empty triangle visual that is being retired from use.
We’re developing new signage for a building or parking lot, what logo should we use?
The legacy triangle should be used on new buildings and signage with the Mines wordmark where space allows. In some cases, the logo may stand alone without the wordmark. If you need assistance, please connect with communications@mines.edu for guidance as we work closely with the Office of Design and Construction to ensure proper signage.
Does signage need to be replaced?
When a sign is ready to be replaced or you are creating a new sign, please use the institutional logo (legacy triangle) with the Mines wordmark where space allows. In some cases, the logo may stand alone without the wordmark. If you need assistance, please connect with communications@mines.edu for guidance. Several highly visible signs will be replaced over time. Replacing logos is a long process and we anticipate inconsistencies as we transition, particularly in physical locations, but have a plan to replace highly visible signage.
I want to print materials for a prospective student audience, what logo should I use?
Can we continue to use earth, energy and environment?
You may continue to use earth, energy, environment as a headline, sub-headline or within text on marketing materials and communications. However, it will not be displayed within the university’s logo moving forward. Earth, energy, and environment helps to provide context around what we do at Mines, but it’s not inclusive of all we do. Use at your discretion when relevant to your area and use when context is needed. The graphic is available in the historic design elements section if needed.
How do I know whether to use the 150th anniversary logo or the institutional logo? Can we include both?
How do I know whether to use the MINES@150 campaign logo or the 150th Anniversary logo?
How do I know whether to use the logo with “Colorado School of Mines” or just “Mines”?
If I am purchasing merchandise and apparel, do I need to submit a purchase order?
Yes. See the Procurement site for details.
If my purchase of branded merchandise is less than $5,000, do I still need to submit a purchase order?
Yes. See the Procurement site for details.
Do I need a purchase order if I purchase a shirt from the Bookstore?
No.
When and why does the circle R (®) need to be used?
The circle R (®) on the Mines logos signifies a “registered trademark,” meaning that the word and design associated with those marks has officially been registered with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. The word MINES is trademarked and requires a circle R in almost all instances, including on merchandise, apparel, digital and print marketing materials. The only time the circle R may be left off is when the trademark is being used on physical signage on the Colorado School of Mines campus, such as the branding of buildings and spaces or on directional signage. The registered trademark symbol (®) should be used when designing pieces with logos to clearly indicate that the logo is legally protected and to deter unauthorized use. It helps reinforce brand legitimacy and protects the brand’s identity.
