Official Elon Signatures & Marks

Elon’s signatures and wordmarks are essential elements of our visual identity. The wordmark consists of the words “Elon University” styled with specific font, size, colors and spacing. The signature combines the wordmark with Elon’s shield design to create a distinct, recognizable emblem.

There are two versions of the signatures and wordmark:

Primary versions, which include the word “University,” must be used in all external communications.
Secondary versions don’t include the word “University” and may only be used for internal communications.

Signatures

The Elon University signatures are a combination of the Elon wordmark with a unique shield adopted in 2016. The maroon-and-gold shield includes a stylized flame-leaf icon. Half of the flame-leaf is made up of the shape of an oak leaf, symbolizing the connection to the university’s name; Elon is the Hebrew word for oak, and the college was founded in a grove of stately oak trees in 1889. The other half of the icon is made up of flames, symbolizing the historic fire that destroyed Elon’s main building in 1923. The college rose from the ashes of that fire to become today’s thriving institution, providing the inspiration for the athletics mascot, the Phoenix. The flame-leaf evokes a spirit of personal growth and transformation, which is the hallmark of an Elon education.

Our signature is also available in centered and horizontal configurations to allow for flexible use across materials and layouts.

Learn More About the Signature

Wordmarks

The Elon University wordmarks are created in the classic Bembo font, which has been used by Elon since the 1990s. Bembo was originally designed in Venice, Italy, in 1495 and revived in 1929. It is considered to be a timeless, elegant and highly legible font.

The size, spacing and colors of the letters in the Bembo font are set especially for the Elon wordmarks. The wordmarks should be used as graphic files and not created using Bembo in a word processing program. These wordmarks may not be altered or changed in any way. This includes altering color, proportion, distortion of the logo as well as adding or changing additional words or symbols. Do not create, recreate or personalize additional files.

Learn More About the Wordmark

Monogram

The Elon University “E” monogram was adopted in 2016 to provide a distinctive symbol for a wide variety of uses, both institutional and athletic. The mark is a modern version of the block letter E that has been used throughout Elon’s history, most prominently by the athletics “E Club,” which dates back to the early years of the 20th century. Today’s monogram is a stylized letter in the university colors of maroon and gold, using a modified version of the Tautz font that is part of the Phoenix athletics identity.

The “E” monogram must be used as a graphic file and may not be altered or changed in any way. This includes altering color, proportion, distortion of the mark as well as adding or changing additional words or symbols not shown here. Only University Communications can create custom marks using the “E” monogram for official use.

Learn More About the Monogram

Restricted Marks

University Seal

Example of the university seal, which should not be used outside of official communications

The Elon University seal was created in 1908 and adopted by the Board of Trustees. The seal includes the Latin words “numen lumen” (spiritual and intellectual light), which is the university’s motto. Two pillars that represent power and strength sit in the middle of the seal. The Bible refers to the historical religious foundations of Elon, and the books represent culture and knowledge. The lamp and flame represent the light that members of the Elon community spread throughout the world, and the “all-seeing eye” represents those keeping watch over the institution.

The seal is used for only the most formal applications, appearing on university diplomas, formal invitations and ceremonial documents deemed appropriate by the Office of the President. It may not be used without permission of the Office of University Communications or the Office of the President. For more information, please email brand@elon.edu.

Shield & Leaf Graphics

Examples of the shield and leaf, which should not be used outside of official communications

Elon’s shield was adopted in 2016 and includes a stylized flame-leaf icon. Half of the icon is in the shape of an oak leaf – Elon is the Hebrew word for oak, and the college was founded in a grove of stately oak trees in 1889. The other half of the icon is made up of flames, symbolizing the 1923 fire that shaped the history of the institution and sparked its rise to become a thriving national university.

The shield is primarily used along with Elon’s wordmark. The shield may be used as a stand-alone mark only in specific instances approved by the Office of University Communications. Likewise, the flame-leaf icon can be used with approval as a standalone graphic and in background patterns. For more information on using these graphics, contact the Office of University Communications at brand@elon.edu.