Brigham Young University (BYU), founded in 1875 in Provo, Utah, USA, is a prestigious private, non-profit educational institution. Renowned for its high academic standards, BYU ranks among the top 5% of global universities, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. The university serves more than 30,000 undergraduate students and over 3,000 graduate students across multiple campuses in the United States. Known for blending a progressive approach with a deep respect for its cultural and historical heritage, BYU’s visual identity and logo reflect these values.

The Evolution of the BYU Logo

The Brigham Young University logo represents the institution’s commitment to its roots while embracing innovation and growth. Its clean, traditional designs speak to the university's pride in its legacy, while the modern interpretations of the logo convey its forward-thinking approach to education.

Primary Logo

The primary logo of BYU is a simple and highly readable monogram, consisting of the letters "BYU" in navy blue. The font used is elegant with delicate serifs, giving the logo a timeless and professional feel that reflects the university’s academic excellence. The navy blue color symbolizes strength and reliability, both of which are central to BYU’s identity as an institution committed to high standards of education.

Secondary Logos and Emblems

BYU also utilizes several secondary logos and emblems for different contexts, especially in athletics and student life:

• Stretch Y: This logo features a large "Y" inside a navy ellipse, drawing inspiration from the "Y" on the mountain overlooking Provo. Used exclusively for athletic purposes, it often accompanies the block BYU logo.
• Block BYU: This version of the logo features the letters "B," "Y," and "U" in a collegiate typeface, with the "Y" positioned slightly higher than the "B" and "U." It is commonly used for athletic events and student life activities.
• Block Y: A variant of the Block BYU logo, with the same type and design but without the full university name.
• Sailor Cougar: This emblem features a cougar's head wearing a sailor's hat, symbolizing BYU’s intercollegiate athletic teams, the BYU Cougars.
• BYU Cougars Mark: A combination of the Block BYU logo and the word “Cougars,” used to represent the university’s athletic teams.
• Medallion: A roundel with the full name of the university and the year of its founding, typically used for formal occasions and official documents.
• Presidential Seal: A specialized version of the logo used for diplomas and limited formal purposes.
• Ringside Wordmark: This version of the BYU logo features the full name of the university in a sans-serif typeface, typically used in certain branding materials.

Typography and Fonts

The typography used in BYU’s branding is varied, with three primary typefaces recommended for different uses: Ringside, Vitesse, and Requiem. However, the logos themselves feature distinct fonts:

• Primary Logo Font: The font used in the primary logo is clear and elegant, featuring thin serifs to convey a sense of tradition and academic prestige.
• Block BYU Font: The font for the Block BYU logo is a bold slab-serif typeface, conveying strength and resilience, characteristics associated with the university's athletics.
• Ringside Wordmark Font: The Ringside wordmark uses a minimalistic sans-serif font, reflecting a modern and streamlined design.

Colors

The primary color in the BYU logo is navy blue (Pantone: 648, HEX #002E5D), which is used on a white background (HEX #FFFFFF) to maintain a clean, professional appearance. This color palette exudes trustworthiness and authority, essential qualities for an educational institution.

In addition to navy, royal blue (Pantone: 2935, HEX #0062B8) is used in some instances, particularly in wordmarks for campus entities. The royal blue distinguishes the name of the entity from the primary BYU logo, but it is never included within the primary logo itself.

The Meaning Behind the Logo

BYU’s visual identity represents the university’s commitment to both preserving its roots and evolving to meet the demands of the future. The combination of classic typography and modern design elements in the logo captures the essence of the institution—firmly grounded in tradition while confidently looking ahead. The various secondary logos and emblems, particularly the athletic logos, help BYU to maintain a strong presence across multiple platforms, from the classroom to the sports field. This balance of heritage and innovation is what makes BYU’s branding a powerful tool in conveying the university’s values and mission.