Partnership Logo
As an official symbol of our strategic partnership, the co-brand logo is integral to N.C. Cooperative Extension’s identity.
Through the logo, we convey a clear connection between N.C. Cooperative Extension and our state's land-grant universities. By using the logo correctly and consistently, we increase recognition and attribute value to our N.C. Cooperative Extension partnership.
The co-brand logo must appear in a prominent place on all communications. While it is a singular design concept, different versions are available for different contexts.
Stacked version
Horizontal version
Reference Guide:
A Quick Guide to the N.C. Cooperative Extension Brand
Using the Logo
The co-brand is a singular graphic, which should be used as one image in its original proportions. The logo should be used in a prominent position on all communications.
The designer may decide where to place the logo, so long as it is immediately visible on the introductory portion of a resource (e.g. publication cover, front page of a handout, top of webpage).
Give the logo space.
Measure the height of the letter E in "Extension" — design elements, text and photos should be at least that far from the logo.
Minimum logo sizes.
Use the appropriate size in all materials, and remember to scale the logo proportionately.
Other Logo Usage Considerations
- Color is preferred when possible, but there are also Black and Grayscale versions available.
- When using the full color logo, it is preferable to print on a white or other light background.
- It is acceptable to place the logo over imagery, but only when placed over light background colors without busy scenes.
- Acceptable: Placing the co-brand over an image of the sky at dusk.
- Not acceptable: Using the co-brand over an image of a crowd of people with many colors and distracting activity.
- When printing on black, it is preferable to use a one-color version of the logo.
- The color logo can be used on black backgrounds if needed, but the N.C. A&T logo should be all gold in color (see Color section for specific palette).
- A design vendor can convert the black logo into the appropriate version.
Incorrect Logo Usage
> Be mindful to resize the logo in equal proportion; do not distort the dimensions by stretching or scrunching the logo.
> Do not resize individual portions of the overall graphic, such as making the university logos bigger or repositioning them.
> Make sure your art vendor or others do not attempt to change the font or other design elements.
Why Can't I Change the Logo?
Consistency is the cornerstone of effective branding. Using the same imagery on a consistent basis helps establish a clear, recognizable brand identity.
Most importantly, regular use of our co-brand logo reinforces the connection between N.C. Cooperative Extension (the partnership) and our universities (the providers), clearly conveying who we are and what we offer. Over time, consistency builds trust and value for our partnership and universities — helping people connect the services they rely on with the universities behind them.
Changing the colors, arrangements, fonts or text of the logo defeats its purpose and is not permitted.
Logo Downloads
You can view or download N.C. Cooperative Extension logos all at once (organized by print and web/digital uses) or individually as needed.
Print Folder
Access EPS files, which are the only logos that should be used for print, as these vector files will print without loss of quality at any size.
Web Folder
Access JPG logos that can be used for web applications or Microsoft Office documents, like Word and PowerPoint.
4-H Folder
Access logo files for Extension 4-H program marketing, including both the 4-H clover and joint 4-H / N.C. Cooperative Extension logo samples.
Licensed Vendors
The use of NC State trademarks like university logos on products or promotional items requires production by a licensed vendor. This includes use of the N.C. Cooperative Extension partnership logo.
Local vendors may apply for a trademark license. Visit NC State Trademark Licensing for more information.
Logo Drop Shadow Guidelines
The base co-brand logo includes drop shadow to provide a natural outline and boundaries, which helps define the graphic within the overall communications piece. At times, however, the drop shadow will not be needed and can be removed.
Rule of thumb to remember:
- Use logo with drop shadow: When there is excess open space around the logo (lots of white space), as this creates an outline so the logos aren’t just floating — see first example below
- Use logo without drop shadow: When the logo is already clearly defined by the background or placed close to the edge of a page or surrounding content — see second example below
Use the logo with drop shadow when the logo is on a white background and surrounded by open space.
Skip the drop shadow if the logo's borders are already clearly defined by the background or placed close to the edge of a page or surrounding content.
County Center Names
When adding a county center name to the logo, use the format: “COUNTY NAME CENTER”
- Arial font — size should be roughly equivalent to “N.C. A&T” logo text (see more details on font / typography)
- Use ALL CAPS
- Center below the university logos
Template for Logo + County Center Name
Download the Template (PPT) for adding a county center name to the logo.
Follow these steps to utilize the template and create a county-specific N.C. Cooperative Extension logo image file:
- Choose the logo version that’s appropriate for your communication
- Type your county center name into the “Sample County Center” field
- Right-click on final image —> select “Save as Picture” —> choose JPEG as format
Logo Versatility & Separation
While the partnership logo should be used as a singular graphic whenever possible, there is flexibility to separate the N.C. Cooperative Extension block and university logos in certain situations.
In situations where production standards for the full N.C. Cooperative Extension logo can not be met — or when it adds meaningful aesthetic value to a resource — the N.C. Cooperative Extension logo and university logos may be separated.
This will most often be the case for items with small imprint areas, like an ink pen or some hats.
Logo Elements
The N.C. Cooperative Extension partnership logo consists of two main elements:
The N.C. Cooperative Extension block
The paired university logos block
- The first section features “NC” in a red square and “Cooperative Extension” in a blue rectangle.
- The second section includes both the N.C. A&T and NC State logos, which should always be grouped together as one graphic.
When Can I Separate the Logo?
If the university logos are too small to be legible (i.e. don't meet publishing specs), then you may separate the two elements.
When doing so, closely follow these guidelines:
- Separate only the red and blue Extension block from the university logos.
- The university logos must still be used side by side as a singular graphic.
- The university logos may be enlarged relative to the Extension block, but must be the same size relative to one another.
- Even when separated, both logo elements — Extension block and paired university logos — must always appear on a communications piece.
- Both logo elements should appear in a prominent location, like a cover, video opening, homepage, etc.
- The Extension block should always be above and/or to the left of the paired university logos.
Examples of Logo Separation:
Logo Production Requirements
Color
Color is one of the most recognizable elements of our Extension partnership brand. Our palette incorporates the core colors of our respective universities, reinforcing our land-grant roots and the value we bring to stakeholders.
Primary Color Palette
The core color for N.C. Cooperative Extension is blue.
HEX #004684
RGB 0 70 132
CMYK 100 65 0 31
PMS 288
Additional primary colors include:
HEX #CC0000
RGB 204 0 0
CMYK 0 100 81 4
PMS 186 C
HEX #FDB927
RGB 253 185 39
CMYK 0, 30, 94, 0
PMS 123
Secondary / Expanded Colors
While our primary palette should feature most prominently, a collection of complementary colors can be used to highlight various content. They should be used thoughtfully, in moderation and follow university guidelines.
Find a range of appropriate tints and shades:
- Secondary Color Palette: RGB Shades and Tints (PDF)
- Secondary Color Palette: CMYK Shades and Tints (PDF)
University Colors
For more information on our university color palettes and how to utilize them:
Font / Typography
Extension's typographic guidelines reflect our identity as being bold but straightforward, practical yet modern. Our written communications are clear, clean and purposeful.
Primary Typeface
Arial is the primary typeface for N.C. Cooperative Extension materials and resources. The Arial font family works well across most media and is widely available.
University Typefaces
While each university utilizes various typefaces, Arial is an approved font family of both NC State and N.C. A&T's respective visual identities. Find more information about each university's typography guidelines:
Note that Univers and Glypha are no longer NC State typefaces. While existing resources using these are acceptable, neither Univers nor Glypha should be used in new materials moving forward.
Type Guidelines
We’ve compiled a few key recommendations below for reference:
- We don't squeeze, stretch or skew text when scaling it.
- We don’t set body copy in all uppercase.
- We keep blocks of text left- or right-aligned; don’t force-justify text.
- We only use type over an image if it is completely legible.
- Black type must be used over Hunt Yellow backgrounds to ensure legibility and accessibility.
- Use no more than two or three type styles (fonts), and limit the number of type sizes in any given resource.
Remember to ensure your digital content is accessible to everyone. Visit the NC State Accessibility Hub for guidance, tools and best practices.
