FIRST Logo

[GRaduns340]

I don't know what many of you think about this topic, but it quite frustrates me to see teams using the FIRST logo anywhere on their sites in whatever fashion they desire. I will not point out any specific sites because there are many, but please pay attention to the way you use logos (this should apply to sponsors as well, but that's their deal).

FIRST specifically requests that the use of the logo on any media meet the requirements outlined in this PDF file. I have had to make specific accomodations to my designs in the past just to allow for this, and when I see it used improperly I start to think that teams are just getting lazy with their standards. Web developers are not immune to the rules, and if the complaint is adapting the design of the website slightly... how many times last year did your team's engineers have to redesign parts of the robot?

I understand that this requires that the logo be on either a white or black background, and this may look somewhat tacky, but it is a request that has been made and should be honored.

[synth3tk]

I'm on a dial-up connection. Can you post the part you're talking about? Not that I think our site is out of compliance. Since it's suspended.

[AndyB]

I'd encourage people to take a look at the comprehensive guide on FIRST's site.

http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles...prehensive.pdf

Pages 19-24 cover the use of the logo on backgrounds as well as decorative elements. Be careful that you are not violating FIRST's rules.

Rules:
*Do not reconfigure or change the size of any part of the logo
*Do not alter or recreate the text within the logo
*Do not distort the logo
*Do not change the logo colors
*Do not create a 3D version of the logo and do not apply any visual effects including drop shadow, glow, blur, etc.
*Do not place the logo within any graphic shapes
*Do not obsure or weaken the logo by placing it on visually active background patterns, strong textures, or incompatible shades of color
*Do not use the lettering from the logo as a word in a piece of text
*Do not use the logo as a word in a piece of text

In other words, please be careful with how you do it. You CAN use the logo on colored backgrounds but please adhere to FIRST's requests (page 19-24) in the comprehensive guide.

FIRST has put out some different colored logos for use, but please do not alter the color of the logo yourself, find one that suits your needs from their site.

Here is the zip file with the logos you may use:
Logo with text: http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles...o_cmyk_all.ZIP
Logo without text: http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles...ements_all.ZIP

It is in EPS format, if someone needs me to, I can convert it to a PNG.

[DonRotolo]

This brings up a larger point on the same topic: Sponsor Logos.

Everyone in FIRST needs to understand that a corporate logo is not just a design - it IS the company to the outside world. Corporate identity is a very important thing in the big world, and using a logo that is "almost the same as" but not "EXACTLY the same as" can cause a corporation to lose control of their logo IF they do not pursue that incorrect usage by legal means.

In other words, they are forced to choose between having their lawyers ask you to cease and desist, or giving up their logo. The law doesn't really allow for exceptions, and I'm sure they'd really hate to drag you to court.

The point is, PLEASE take the time to ask your sponsors exactly how you may and may not use their logo, AND have them approve EVERYTHING that displays their logo, no matter how unimportant YOU think it is. They are your sponsors, you need to treat them like the kind, benevolent providers that they are.

I can't emphasize this enough.

Don

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Don Rotolo

This brings up a larger point on the same topic: Sponsor Logos.

Everyone in FIRST needs to understand that a corporate logo is not just a design - it IS the company to the outside world. Corporate identity is a very important thing in the big world, and using a logo that is "almost the same as" but not "EXACTLY the same as" can cause a corporation to lose control of their logo IF they do not pursue that incorrect usage by legal means.

In other words, they are forced to choose between having their lawyers ask you to cease and desist, or giving up their logo. The law doesn't really allow for exceptions, and I'm sure they'd really hate to drag you to court.

The point is, PLEASE take the time to ask your sponsors exactly how you may and may not use their logo, AND have them approve EVERYTHING that displays their logo, no matter how unimportant YOU think it is. They are your sponsors, you need to treat them like the kind, benevolent providers that they are.

I can't emphasize this enough.

Don

Quoted for truth. I did some advertisements last spring as part of a course here at USC, and it took several revisions for the clients (whose logos are blurred out in the links, by their request)
to be satisfied with the use of their logos. (And then have all that going on the week of Palmetto, just for extra fun.)

One thing that can be done in the absence of good, quality logos is simply to use no logos. That's the approach 1618 took last year, and the results looked good while still doing its intended job. (Just, uh, don't do this.)

[synth3tk]

ROFL at your last link, Bill. That's, uh, very untraditional way of doing things. We didn't even advertise on our robot. But that is an excellent idea though. Also, we didn't put them on our t-shirts, but that's because of some... miscommunication.

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by blakcheez

ROFL at your last link, Bill. That's, uh, very untraditional way of doing things. We didn't even advertise on our robot. But that is an excellent idea though. Also, we didn't put them on our t-shirts, but that's because of some... miscommunication.

I would hope that you put enough on the robot to satisfy <R13> last year:

Originally Posted by <R13>

<R13> ROBOTS must display their school name, and primary sponsor name and/or logo whenever
the ROBOT is on the field (including practice sessions). The support provided by the
corporate sponsors and mentors on your team is important, and is to be acknowledged with
the appropriate display of their names/logos on the exterior of the ROBOT.

[synth3tk]

Let's just say we barely put our team number on. This thread has brought to my attention that I should bring these points up before the season starts. We're a small team, and slacked until the last two weeks. I really wasn't proud, but history taught us that.

[Daniel Bathgate]

Thanks for the links, AndyB. I couldn't find a large version of the logo for the life of me before (though why I didn't look at more of the results searching for "logo" on FIRST's website I'll never know.)

We're going to be designing our website soon, and I'll be sure to keep this in mind. I knew that having the FIRST logo on a team's site was a requirement in the website contest, but I had no idea this document existed. Thank you!

Though I wonder why they give jpegs for electronic use - the logo is much better suited for a gif or png. Ah well, it's easy enough to compress the vector images ourselves.