The Spartan helmet and other official MSU trademarks are a distinctive visual shorthand for the name “Michigan State University.” When used in a way that represents the university, our marks are treated like logos and should align with the standards for their use as marks.

The Spartan helmet is a simple, strong and iconic mark that symbolizes Michigan State University. MSU students, faculty, staff and alumni around the world refer to themselves as Spartans. All MSU administrative and academic units may use the Spartan helmet.

Logos and Marks A logo or wordmark helps create a clear identity and becomes a symbol that provides immediate recognition of an institution. Read More

Download MSU logos, marks, graphic elements, color palette and templates here. Access to these files is limited to faculty and staff of Michigan State University. Student employees requiring asset files for their work should ask their supervisor to download the necessary files.

To provide immediate brand recognition and to connect university units with the Michigan State brand, print and online publications and websites for all MSU units should reflect consistent graphic identity standards.

The official seal of Michigan State University represents the university’s founding in 1855 as the nation’s premier land-grant university and its legacy of democratizing higher education.

The Michigan State University wordmark is the standardized graphic representation of the Michigan State University name. It is a custom-designed mark that emphasizes the words “Michigan State” to provide immediate identity recognition and to enhance readability.

The brand strategy guides work to tell MSU's story, helping us communicate with a clear and consistent voice and visual identity. Working together helps build a stronger, more memorable and distinctive MSU brand that inspires trust, interest, connection, pride and loyalty.

MSU websites must display the approved standard masthead and footer. For details, see the MSU Web Standards.

Our visual expression makes the MSU brand more memorable and meaningful. A consistent visual identity creates a distinctive look that becomes recognizable and credible when repeated in communications over time.