Brand and logo

The official visual identifiers of the University of Helsinki
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The primary visual identifier of the University of Helsinki is its flame emblem. The flame emblem is part of the University’s logo. The University’s logo consists of the flame emblem and the logo text.

The shape of the emblem is intended to evoke academic freedom and interaction. The three squares represent the University’s three core duties: teaching, research and community engagement. The flame itself is a reference to the story of Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods. In this context, fire represents the light of knowledge and wisdom, helping us see the world and its true features better, more clearly and correctly, as they are. 

The flame emblem is primarily used in black or white. On white surface the flame emblem is used as black, on a coloured surface or a photo as a negative, ie. a white version. In exceptional situations, such as for academic celebrations, the flame emblem may be silver. 

The flame emblem is almost exclusively used in conjunction with the logo text. There are four versions of the logo text with different language alternatives: the logo in three languages, or logo texts in Finnish, Swedish and English. 

The basic format of the flame logo is vertical, meaning that the logo texts are centred under the flame emblem.

The flame logo is used mainly as a black version. On a coloured surface or photo the flame logo is always used as negative, ie. a white version. 

The distance between the logo text and the flame emblem is always the width of one of the squares in the emblem.

The distance between the logo text and the flame emblem is always the width of one of the squares in the emblem. 

In the basic format of the single-language flame logos, the height of the logo text is the width of a single square in the flame emblem. 

The exclusion zone is the space that must be left blank between the flame logo and other visual elements. The exclusion zone also indicates the smallest possible distance from the edge of the surface (e.g., the edge of the page in an ad). 

The exclusion zone for the flame logo is determined by the size of the squares of the flame emblem. As a general rule, there must be at minimum one square’s width of space around the flame. There must be at minimum two squares’ width of space around the logo text. The exclusion zone instructions are for the flame logo (the flame emblem and logo text together). 

If the flame emblem and logo text are used separately, the flame emblem may touch the edge of the page or the page fold of a publication (e.g., brochure covers).

The horizontal flame logo is an exception. It can be used, for example, when there is insufficient space for a vertical flame logo.

The dimensions of the horizontal flame logo are determined by the dimensions of the square in the flame emblem. 

The dimensions of the horizontal flame logo are determined by the dimensions of the square in the flame emblem.

The exclusion zone is the space that must be left blank between the flame logo and other visual elements. The exclusion zone also indicates the smallest possible distance from the edge of the surface (e.g., the edge of the page in an ad). The exclusion zone for the flame logo is determined by the size of the squares of the flame emblem. As a general rule, there must be at minimum one square’s width of space around the flame. There must be at minimum two squares’ width of space around the logo text.

The exclusion zone instructions are for the flame logo (the flame emblem and logo text together). If the flame emblem and logo text are used separately, the flame emblem may touch the edge of the page or the page fold of a publication (e.G., Brochure covers).

The faculties of the University of Helsinki have their own flame logos which they can use in their own contexts. 

The faculty logo text in the faculty flame logo should be in the working language of the faculty in question.

Use the ready-made faculty flame logos in the material bank.

Use the ready-made faculty flame logos.

University of Helsinki personnel can download the logos from Uni Material Bank (uni.materialbank.net) or inquire them from uhbrand@helsinki.fi

The instructions for faculties also apply to University of Helsinki independent institutes which do not have a logo. Such independent institutes include the Helsinki University Library, the Language Centre and the IT Centre. 

Use the ready-made independent institute flame logos. Personnel of the University of Helsinki can download the logos from Uni Material Bank (uni.materialbank.net) or inquire them from uhbrand@helsinki.fi

Please familiarize yourself with the exclusion zone and colour instructions of the logo usage. With other questions regarding the logo’s application please contact uhbrand@helsinki.fi

The University of Helsinki’s name, abbreviations indicating that name or the flame logo can only be used in the operations of the University of Helsinki, including operations of subsidiary companies fully owned by the University as well as operations of the University’s joint units. 

In addition, the name of the University of Helsinki may be used in an appropriate manner to indicate a person’s employment (e.g., Matti Virtanen, professor, University of Helsinki). In such a context, the University’s flame logo should not be used. 

The University of Helsinki may grant written permission to use the University of Helsinki’s name or abbreviation or the flame logo in other situations. In such cases, the University’s name or abbreviation or the flame logo may only be used for the specific purpose and in the extent and format that the University of Helsinki has explicitly allowed. As a rule, the University of Helsinki will not grant permission to use its name in operations, marketing or advertising in which it is not involved.

The trademarks owned by the University of Helsinki may only be used if an agreement has been made with the University to do so.

Web domains, names and trademarks including the University’s name must be registered as property of the University of Helsinki. Teachers, members of staff, alumni, volunteer workers and students cannot register a web domain, name or trademark which includes the phrase ”University of Helsinki” or another University of Helsinki name or trademark, unless permission to do so has been granted, as described in section 2. When such permission is granted, it must be ensured that if a web domain can be registered for a person or organisation outside the University of Helsinki, this person or organisation will agree to transfer the web domain to the University of Helsinki at the University’s request.

Contact

General inquiries regarding the use of the logo:

uhbrand@helsinki.fi  

Trademarks and web domains:

tutkimuksenjuristit@helsinki.fi

Permission to use the University’s name and flame logo for matters relating to research or the commercialisation of research:

tutkimuksenjuristit@helsinki.fi

Wrongful use and advice:

tutkimuksenjuristit@helsinki.fi

 

These instructions are not intended to restrict academic publishing according to normal practices and agreements pertaining to publication.

Please make sure that you have the right to use the logo.

If you need further instructions and/or to check permission for the logo usage please contact uhbrand@helsinki.fi

Download logos