Building on the region’s legacy and history, the Grosse Pointe Public Library brand references the architectural and cultural connections it holds with the surrounding community. The mark references the creative artwork of Pewabic, in Detroit. The logotype references the mid-century design, signage and typography of the physical space.
Horizontal
Vertical
In limited use applications, the logotype may be used separate from the mark.
In limited use applications, the mark may be used separate from the logotype. However, the logotype treatment must appear elsewhere within the same application for brand recognition. All clear space rules still apply.
Each Grosse Pointe Public Library branch has three color versions to choose from. Color contrast should be considered when choosing a branch lockup.
A key element of Grosse Pointe Public Library’s brand consistency and style is the use of spacing in and around the logo lockup itself. Please make sure there is ample clear space from other competing visual elements on the page or screen, by following the guidelines outlined below.
Keep the brand fully accessible by adhering to these guidelines when scaling the logo.
In order to maintain a consistent brand image, please don’t alter the logomark or logotype in any way. Below are a few examples of violations of the Grosse Pointe Public Library’s brand.
The URW DIN Semi-condensed is available for free through Adobe Fonts when used in conjunction with an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription. Individual font licenses can be purchased online, as well.
Visit Adobe Fonts Purchase fonts
The URW DIN Light and Bold are also available through Adobe Fonts or can be purchased online at the link below.
Visit Adobe Fonts Purchase fonts
For limited use circumstances where access to URW DIN is not possible, please use Roboto Condensed in its place. This typeface is available for free through Google Fonts.
Visit Google Fonts Download FAQ
For uniformity in using the grid, it’s important to maintain consistent clear space between grid elements. The minimum space between elements will vary depending on what type of element it is: competing or non-competing. Please refer to the diagrams below.
1 unit to non-competing elements: Must include one unit between all non-competing “container” elements such as color blocks, photography, and the GPPL logo.
4 units to competing elements: Must include minimum of four units between visually competing elements such as typed words, other logos, and busy backgrounds
Please refer to the following diagrams for applying the grid as a template. Examples include a page header, page footer, and event flyer. PDF diagrams are available for download in the Applications section of the style guide.
To further extend the brand’s personality, the mark may be used to create large scale background patterns. When creating such patterns, aim for showcasing details of the logo, rather than creating symmetrical or predictable patterns. Use of the pattern is to be limited, and reserved only for special treatments. Layering elements over top of the patterns, such as text or other images, is discouraged — it is best to use these patterns in an area on their own.
Attached are six different variations of the pattern in various colors and orientations. All are set up at an 8.5″ x 11″ size and in multiple file formats for various uses you may need. Additional variations can also be created using the “Mark Only” version of the logo, but the rules below must be followed. Please refer to the following examples of proper and improper use of patterns.
Paper stock is a subtle and important detail within the brand’s visual language – it makes each touchpoint of the brand feel part of the family as well as sets the appropriate tone.
It is recommended that the following paper stocks are used for all Grosse Pointe Public Library branded materials. When working with print vendors, you can specify the paper stock with the specifications below. For internally printed materials, you can purchase 8.5 x 11 stock to have on-hand and feed through your printer.
A link to purchase the stock can be found below.
Text-weight Paper
Cover-weight Paper
The Grosse Pointe Public Library has beautiful and welcoming facilities. Images showcasing the public enjoying and using the space and on-campus resources and services is a great baseline of photography to have on-hand and utilize. Natural, candid-feeling photos are best, but planning and staging these shots is recommended.
Many of the resources provided by the Grosse Pointe Public Library are resources that will be used off-campus. Showing these in use not only highlights the offerings and flexibility, but it gives the chance to feature some of the more unique services such as wifi hot spots, the tool collection, and seed library. This helps dispel the traditional refined library stereotype by showcasing the active and engaging side of the resources and offerings.
The Grosse Pointe Public Library is an active community center with a variety of events and programming. Capturing these events and programs when they’re happening is a great way to capture the spirit and range of the GPL day-to-day function, and share it.
This category is a bit more of a high-level take on photography. This is an area where you can convey a general concept like a season, an idea, or a feeling. It’s also a chance to highlight some of the tiled architectural elements that directly connect back to the Grosse Pointe Public Library brand.
Every interaction — whether to an internal or external audience — is an opportunity to make an impression with the brand. Consistency among stationary materials, such as a business card or letterhead, presents a unified look and feel to the Library experience.
A PDF version of all Formatting Guidelines, including Stationary, is available by clicking the download link at the end of this section.
To extend brand consistency to digital communication, a unified email signature makes use of the simplified logo and brand typography styles.
Instructions for implementing can be downloaded by selecting the “Download Instructions for Use” button below the visual example.
Note: brand typefaces are not available through all email clients so slight variations in typography is expected.
Create branded presentations with the help of a custom PowerPoint template. The template utilizes Roboto Condensed, the alternate brand typeface, for ease of sharing across devices.
In situations requiring an extreme horizontal design layout, “Grosse Pointe Public Library” may be typeset in the brand font, in place of the rectangular logotype. If such a need arises, the square mark is to be used alongside the typesetting, in order to maintain brand recognition.
Please reference these parade banner examples for horizontal application.
Ready to start making? Below is a collection of successful brand materials for application inspiration.
