NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logo Guidelines

Northern Virginia Community College College Marketing

Office of Institutional Advancement

Table of Contents

Purpose and Background of the NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logo ............................................................. 1

Guidelines Overview .................................................................................................................................... 1

NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logo – Color Palette ......................................................................................... 2

NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logo – Four-Color Primary ............................................................................... 2

NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logo – Black Primary ....................................................................................... 2

NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logo – Four-Color and Black Secondary .......................................................... 3

NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logo – Embroidery ........................................................................................... 4

NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logos for Specific Sports .................................................................................. 4

Clear Space ................................................................................................................................................... 6

Minimum Size ............................................................................................................................................... 7

Using NOVA Wordmark and NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logo Together ................................................... 7

Unacceptable Logo Usage ............................................................................................................................ 8

Prohibited Uses of NOVA Trademarks ........................................................................................................ 9

NOVA Nighthawk Mascot Appearance........................................................................................................ 9

Questions about the NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logo ............................................................................... 9

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NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logo Guidelines

Purpose and Background of the NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logo

As part of Northern Virginia Community College’s 50th anniversary celebration, during the 2014-2015 academic year, the College began the process to identify a mascot that would reflect institutional pride and personify school spirit. NOVA students, faculty and staff were invited to enter names through an online suggestion box. A representative student committee reviewed the submissions and then the top five selections were placed on a ballot for voting. Nighthawks was the winner.

After the Nighthawks name was chosen in spring 2015, students from NOVA’s Alexandria Campus Communications Program designed several mascot logos. NOVA students, faculty and staff were given the opportunity to vote for the top five designs and the design created by NOVA student Jennifer Bradley earned the most votes. The logo was finalized in fall 2015. The NOVA Nighthawks mascot is intended to create College spirit, engage the community, be inclusive of the College’s diverse academic programs and student body, and expand the College brand. The NOVA Nighthawks mascot logo will be used for student life and athletics publications and advertisements, on the College website and various collateral materials, on merchandise for sale in NOVA bookstores, and on sports uniforms and equipment. It is not a substitute for NOVA’s official logo and should not be used in place of the College’s logo.

Guidelines Overview

The purpose of these guidelines is to provide rules for coherent and consistent communication of the NOVA mascot brand. Consistent use of the logos builds brand equity and increases the public’s understanding of NOVA and its mascot. The guidelines govern all print and electronic mascot logo uses. Strict adherence to the logo guidelines will result in acceptable applications. NOVA Graphics is responsible for approving applications outside the established standards. Such uses will be carefully and openly considered on their individual merits. The goal is to meet the needs of every NOVA partner without adversely affecting the brand identity. Original artwork must always be used to reproduce the logos. Never use printed images extracted from publications or the web, and never alter the logos in any manner.

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NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logo – Color Palette

The NOVA Nighthawks mascot logo is designed with NOVA’s school colors of green and gold to maintain a consistent College identity. The official colors are Pantone 349 (green) and Pantone 117 (gold).

NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logo – Four-Color Primary

The four-color primary NOVA Nighthawks mascot logo should be used whenever possible. In this logo, the Nighthawk has a green face with gold details on a black shield. The word “Nighthawks” is in white and “NOVA” is in gold. When placing the four-color NOVA Nighthawks mascot logo on a colored background, select a light background color that provides contrast. If the logo does not stand out against the background color, try a different background color. The logo should never be placed on

an overly busy background or over text. Never add an outline around the logo. See “Unacceptable Logo Usage” for additional rules.

NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logo – Black Primary

The black and white primary NOVA Nighthawks mascot logo can be used when the four-color logo is not appropriate, such as when printing a document in black only. In this logo, the Nighthawk has a white face with black details on a black shield. “Nighthawks” and “NOVA” are in white on a black background. The black and white logo should never be placed on an overly busy background or over text. Never add an outline around the logo. See “Unacceptable Logo Usage” for additional rules.

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NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logo – Four-Color and Black Secondary

For some applications, the secondary logos shown here may be more appropriate than the primary logos. An example of an appropriate application for a secondary logo is if the primary logo won’t fit the allotted space. Two versions of the secondary logo are provided in both four-color and black. In one version, the Nighthawk face stands alone; the other version contains the words “Nighthawks” and “NOVA” on the lower portion of the shield.

None of the secondary logos should ever be placed on an overly busy background or over text. Never add an outline around the secondary logo. See “Unacceptable Logo Usage” for additional rules. When in doubt, consult with NOVA Graphics for advice on the proper logo to use for a specific application.

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NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logo – Embroidery

The two NOVA Nighthawks mascot logos shown below may be used for embroidery on fabric. Applications will vary by vendor and NOVA Graphics must approve embroidery usage outside of the suggested embroidery logos.

NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logos for Specific Sports

NOVA Nighthawks mascot sport-specific logos will be created as appropriate. These logos may include the sport name, such as soccer or volleyball, and should only be used by the sport named in the logo. Follow the same guidelines for using the primary and secondary logos. For questions about sport-specific logos, please contact NOVA Graphics.

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Clear Space

In order to maintain a clean, consistent and prominent look, an area of clear space should always surround any of the NOVA Nighthawks mascot logos. For optimum legibility, maintain at least a minimum of “X” space on all sides of the logo, where “X” is one-quarter the height of the NOVA Nighthawk logo. Keep this area clear of other elements such as text, other artwork, rule lines and page edges. More space is always preferred.

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Minimum Size

The logos must always be legible and clear with sharp lines and easy-to-read type. Adherence to minimum logo sizes ensures logo readability and recognition in small sizes. Logo size is determined by measuring the width of the mark. Never reproduce the NOVA Nighthawk Mascot logos smaller than the minimum sizes shown below.

Using NOVA Wordmark and NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logo Together

To reinforce the relationship between the College and its athletics programs, the NOVA wordmark should be included in most print publications (such as flyers, brochures and advertisements) and webpages where the NOVA Nighthawks mascot logo is used. The two logos should never be combined in any manner. Most often, the NOVA Nighthawks mascot logo should be placed at the top of the page and the NOVA wordmark at the bottom or, in publications with multiple pages, the NOVA Nighthawks mascot logo can appear on the front of the publication with the College wordmark on the back. When in doubt, consult with NOVA Graphics for the best way to showcase both logos.

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Unacceptable Logo Usage

The NOVA Nighthawks mascot logos must always be presented accurately and consistently. The following rules apply to all NOVA Nighthawks mascot logo variations and must be followed at all times. Before printing, seek approval from NOVA Graphics to ensure you are using the logo appropriately.

• DO NOT combine the logo with any other NOVA logo such as the College wordmark • DO NOT combine the logo with the name of any department, office or club • DO NOT display the logo on a background that provides inadequate contrast or is

overly busy; to use the logo on a dark background, ask NOVA Graphics for the appropriate file format

• DO NOT reverse or change colors • DO NOT alter proportions • DO NOT add, remove or move elements • DO NOT replace “NOVA” or “Nighthawks” with any other text • DO NOT add effects or shadows • DO NOT change the fonts • DO NOT alter letter spacing • DO NOT skew, bend or distort the logo • DO NOT add outlines • DO NOT crop the logo

Examples of Unacceptable Logos

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Prohibited Uses of NOVA Trademarks

Neither the name of the College nor any NOVA trademark, including NOVA colors, may be used in any way that gives a false impression, is misleading, or could cause confusion regarding NOVA’s relationship with any person or entity. Statements that NOVA uses or purchased a product or program are permitted if true; however, the statement should be carefully worded not to imply the endorsement of a commercial product or service. Neither the name of the College nor any College trademark may be used in connection with any person, entity, product or service if the association could adversely affect NOVA’s image or standing or would for any other reason be inappropriate for a public college. Such prohibited uses include, but are not limited to, the use of NOVA trademarks in connection with alcoholic beverages, cigarettes or other tobacco products, sexually oriented products or services, religious products, political parties or organizations, gaming or games of chance, and firearms. If a violation of this policy is identified, offices will be required to work with NOVA Graphics to determine the action needed, which may include redesign of print and/or electronic materials.

NOVA Nighthawk Mascot Appearance

The NOVA Nighthawk is the College’s official cheerleader. The purpose of the NOVA Nighthawk is to boost NOVA pride for students, alumni, faculty and staff while also increasing awareness of the College in the greater community. The NOVA Nighthawk mascot attends sports games and other events as appropriate to generate interest and create unity among attendees. Because the NOVA Nighthawk represents the College, the mascot suit must always be treated with respect. Do not change the mascot suit in any manner or add any accessories such as a hat.

Questions about the NOVA Nighthawks Mascot Logo

If you have questions about the NOVA Nighthawks mascot logo, want to request the logo or get approval of logo applications outside the guidelines, contact NOVA Graphics at novagraphics@nvcc.edu.