Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards

[Ken Leung]

All right everyone, I've seen so many picture with FIRST's logo in it, I believe it's time to review FIRST's logo standards: http://www.usfirst.org/4vol/resource...tandards_Q.pdf

FIRST has asked nicely for everyone and every team to follow their logo standards, which includes,

Logo protected area

Focus and strong visual impact are achieved by keeping a “quiet” space around our logos. The minimum protected area, or clear space, is determined by the height of the letters within the logo shown as “X” in the diagram on this page. It serves as a barrier to keep away distracting imagery of any kind, including typography (words), photographs, illustrations and other graphic elements. The protected area also determines the minimum distance a logo can be placed from paper edges or folds of printed materials.

Minimum logo size

The determined minimum logo size assures proper legibility. Do not reproduce our logos below these smallest acceptable measurements.

Do not alter the logos

Do not reconfigure or change
the size of any part of our standard
logo versions.

Do not alter or recreate (typeset)
the lettering within the logos.

Do not distort or in any way change
the logo proportions.

Do not change the logo colors.

Do not create 3D logo versions, or
apply any visual effects, including
drop shadows, glow, blur, etc.

Do not add outlines to our logos
or create complete outline versions.

Do not place our logos within any
graphic shapes.

Do not obscure and weaken our
logos by placing them on visually active
background patterns, strong textures
or incompatible shades of color.

Do not use the lettering (wordmark)
from the logos as a word.

Do not use the logos as a word
within text. Remember, they are a
part of our visual expression.

FIRST typefaces
Our preferred typefaces or fonts create
the desired balance between our logo and
verbal communications. The particular styles
of sans serif Helvetica and serif Garamond,
lend themselves to creative and flexible
typography.


I haven't been around the competition the past two years, so I don't know if these logo standards are still in effect. But unless someone can tell me they aren't, I strongly recommend everyone to review and follow FIRST's logo standard.

You and I may not like all these restrictions for the FIRST logo, but just because we don't like it doesn't mean we can do whatever we want. That's why even though there's a lot of work involved, I've started editing an old logo that have the old FIRST logo in it to follow the new standards.


If, on the other hand, my mind is out-dated and these standards are no longer in effect, then you can slap me silly and I will admit to being old .

*edit*
I realize there has been other threads discussing this issue, but I would like to bring this up again, and see if FIRST has made any clarification to their position on the logo standards. Another discussion can be seen here: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=47676, but I've decided to bring this issue front and center in the General Forum.

I understand there is a lot of grey area when it comes to using FIRST's logo, but I would really like to see a clear guideline on exactly what we are allowed and not allowed to do. I am feeling very uncomfortable when I keep seeing new pictures with FIRST's logo in it that doesn't follow the standards.

If FIRST say they are fine, then let's tell everyone it's fine. Otherwise, there is no clear cut on how the FIRST logo is supposed and not supposed to be use.

Has anyone heard anything new since the last discussion we have on this issue?