Design competitions at the University of Oregon are an opportunity for the campus community to show off their creativity and express their Duck pride. With creativity comes the importance of rules and boundaries to help guide that vision. It is also imperative to uphold the UO brand and our trademark and licensing agreements when designing, as not to dilute or undermine our identity.
Please adhere to the following guidelines:
- Designers must follow all contest rules and the Oregon Brand Guide to be considered.
- Submissions should be the participant’s original work. Do not submit designs that are, or include elements, that are AI generated. AI-designed submissions will not be considered.
- By participating, designers give their permission to UO Marketing and Brand Strategy (MBS) to modify design elements that do not adhere exactly to the rules and brand guidelines.
- Selected designs must be reviewed by the Marketing and Brand Strategy team for approval before the winner is announced. Send finalists’ designs to uobrand@uoregon.edu. MBS employees cannot serve as judges in design competitions. However, they can provide consultation on processes or design ideas beyond the requirements to review and approve art.
- Winning designs that include UO trademarks or branding must be produced by UO Print Services or a UO licensed vendor.
Some helpful tips are provided below.
Typography
Use Source Sans or Source Serif font when the United font is not available.
Colors
Use UO Green (PMS 356) and UO Yellow (PMS 107) as primary colors.
Secondary colors can be used to complement the primary colors.
Learn more about Required Colors
Merchandise Colors
UO Green, UO Yellow, black, white, or gray must be used.
Learn more about Merchandise Colors
Trademarks and Logos
- Designs can use the primary logo when applied with proper clear space. The three elements of the primary logo include the Oregon O, the rule, and the university wordmark. Changing the primary logo or making variations is prohibited.
- Designs cannot use athletic marks, the interlocking UO, or the great seal.
- The mascot mark and webfoot may be used as design elements, unaltered.
- Do not illustrate the Duck or any other representations of a duck in the design. Using photos of the Duck is okay.
- Designers cannot create their own logo.
- If designs are being utilized for merchandise or apparel, additional rules apply.
Learn more about Trademarks and Logos
Trademarked and Registered Verbiage
The UO has trademarked several words and phrases. These words can be used in the design and will require the appropriate trademark.