Queen's University Logo

The Queen’s University logo is the official visual representation of the university and is available in a variety of formats appropriate for different uses. It has been simplified to improve legibility and accessibility in a digital environment.

The Queen’s logo consists of two elements – the shield and the wordmark. The updated shield is a simplified version of the official university coat of arms, which remains in use in some ceremonial applications. The updated wordmark features increased letter spacing in “Queen’s,” a heavier weight sans serif typeface for “University” and an adjusted swash Q for better alignment.

Queen's University Logo

Logo Resources

The updated Queen’s logo is available for download in horizontal and vertical orientations and in a variety of file formats for print and digital applications. Always use the logo files as provided.

Access logo resource files

Visual Identity Guide

The Visual Identity Guide outlines the elements that create the Queen's brand style, as well as the full set of guidelines for the correct and consistent application of the visual identity. It is recommended to view the online PDF to ensure that you are referencing the most up-to-date version.

View the Visual Identity Guide (PDF 10.2 MB)

Logo Orientations

Queen's Logo Horizontal

Horizontal Logo

The horizontal orientation of the Queen’s University logo is recommended for applications with a left or right justification. It is the preferred version for digital environments and works well in horizontal applications such as website banners.

Queen's Logo Vertical

Vertical Logo

The vertical orientation of the Queen’s University logo is recommended for applications with a centred alignment and for more formal and ceremonial applications like certificates and awards. It is also a good choice when a larger shield is required such as on merchandise.

Clear Space and Minimum Size

Logo Clear Space

Clear Space

A minimum clear space must be maintained around the Queen’s logo at all times in order to preserve its impact and integrity. The clear space for the logo is defined by the height of the lowercase “e” in the word Queen’s, extending from the furthest edges of the logo on the top, bottom, and sides. No other type or graphic element may appear within the prescribed clear space, including the edge of an application.

Minimum Size logo

Minimum Size

The recommended minimum sizes have been established to maintain the legibility of the Queen’s logo. The horizontal logo should be no smaller than 1.3” or 130 pixels wide. The vertical logo should be no smaller than 1” or 100 pixels wide.

Logo Colour Versions

There are several colour versions of the Queen’s logo available in both horizontal and vertical formats. The full colour and full colour reverse logos should be used whenever possible. Three one-colour variations have been created to provide flexibility for one or two-colour applications. The one-colour logo is available in Queen’s Blue, black, and white.

For guidelines on the recommended and restricted background colours for each logo colour, view the full Visual Identity Guide.

Full Colour logo

Full Colour

Reverse colour logo

Full Colour Reverse

Queen's Logo Blue

One Colour – Blue

Queen's Logo Black

One Colour – Black

Queen's Logo White

One Colour – White

Accessible Colour Contrast

When placing the Queen’s logo on a coloured background, ensure that the level of contrast between the logo and background comply with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) standards using a contrast checker tool. For additional information, visit the Queen’s Accessibility Hub.

Incorrect Logo Use

Logo Modifications

It is imperative that the integrity of the Queen’s logo be maintained at all times. It is our most important brand asset and cannot be altered in any way. It is not permitted to extract any part of the Queen’s logo, shield, or wordmark and use it in another logo, graphic, or design. Under the guidance and approval of the University Relations Brand Team there are two exceptions: The swash Q may at times be used as a large graphic element by faculties and departments, and the shield may be used alone in some instances, such as on merchandise.

The following are examples of how the logo cannot be modified or used. These parameters apply to all logo and lockup versions.

Do Not Alter Proportions

DO NOT alter the proportions of shield and wordmark

Do Not Rearrange

DO NOT rearrange or remove elements of the logo

Do Not Distort

DO NOT distort the logo

Do Not Rotate

DO NOT rotate the logo from upright to any other angle

Do Not Change Fonts

DO NOT change the fonts in the wordmark

Do Not Crop

DO NOT crop the logo

Unpermitted example of logo enclosed in a shape

DO NOT enclose the logo in a shape

Do not add effects

DO NOT add drop shadows or other effects to the logo

Do Not Outline

DO NOT outline the logo

Do Not Use Swash Q

DO NOT use the swash Q in another wordmark, logo, or graphic. Use as a graphic device must be approved by the Brand Team.

Do Not Use Shield

DO NOT use the shield as part of another design. Use of the shield alone must be approved by the Brand Team.

Do Not Add Elements

DO NOT add additional type or graphic elements to the logo or infringe on its clear space

Always use the logo files provided for download. Do not attempt to reset, alter, or build another configuration of the logo.

Colours and Backgrounds

The following are examples of how the logo cannot be modified or used in terms of colour or background. These parameters apply to all logo and lockup versions.

Do Not Low Contrast

DO NOT place the logo on a background with low colour contrast

Do not place on busy background

DO NOT place the logo on a detailed background or photo and always preserve clear space, even related to photographic elements. The logo cannot cross over multiple background colours.

Do Not Change Colour

DO NOT change the colour of the wordmark

Do Not Change Colour

DO NOT change the colour of the shield

Do Not Change Opacity

DO NOT tint or change the opacity of the logo

Do Not Change One Colour Logo

DO NOT use the one-colour logo in a colour other than Queen’s Blue, black or white

Do Not Create Two-Coloured Logo

DO NOT create a two-coloured logo

Unpermitted example of logo in grayscale

DO NOT change the full colour logo to grayscale

Always use the logo files provided for download. Do not attempt to reset, alter, or build another configuration of the logo.

Logo Placement

Horizontal logo in application on a powerpoint template

Horizontal Logo

The ideal placement for the horizontal logo is in one of the four corners of an application with left or right justified copy.

Vertical logo in application on an award certificate

Vertical Logo

The ideal placement for the vertical logo is centred at the top, middle, or bottom of an application with centre-justified copy.

Logo size should be proportionate to the application size, used at a size that clearly brands the application but does not dominate the layout. The exception to this is on applications in which the logo is the primary focus (ie pole pennant, baseball hat).

Wordmark

The wordmark alone (without the shield) should be used sparingly, only for circumstances in which quality reproduction of the full Queen’s logo would not be possible due to size and/or printing process.

Wordmark Colour Versions

The wordmark can be used in Queen’s Red, Queen’s Blue, black, or white and the same background colour rules outlined for the full logo also apply to the wordmark.

Queen's University red wordmark

clear space around wordmark

Clear Space

The clear space for the wordmark is defined by the height of the lowercase “e” in the word Queen’s, extending from the furthest edges of the wordmark on the top, bottom, and sides.

minimum size for wordmark

Minimum Size

To maintain the legibility of the Queen’s wordmark, it should be no less than 1” or 100 pixels wide.

Shield

The shield in the Queen’s logo is a simplified version of the Coat of Arms. The motto banner has been removed and the graphics simplified for improved legibility in a digital environment. The shield is approved for use as a social media profile picture. Please use the profile picture files provided for download.

The shield can be used alone in limited applications approved by the University Relations Brand Team.

Queen's University shield

Coat of Arms

The Queen’s Coat of Arms consists of a gold shield with red edges, divided into four triangular compartments by a blue, diagonal cross. A golden book, symbolizing learning, sits open at the centre of the cross surrounded by a pine tree, a clover, a thistle, and a rose. The border is decorated with eight gold crowns and underlined by a banner with the Queen’s motto: Sapientia et Doctrina Stabilitas (Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times).

The use of the Coat of Arms is reserved for limited formal and ceremonial applications, such as awards and certificates. It should not be used in place of the Queen’s logo or on external-facing communications.

If you have an application requiring the use of the simplified shield or coat of arms, please contact the University Relations Brand Team for approval.

Queen's University Coat of Arms