Seattle Public Schools

Communications

Branding, Style Guide, and Media Toolkit

SPS Branding and Style Guide

Welcome to the Seattle Public Schools Brand Toolkit and Style Guide.

Seattle Public Schools is committed to delivering a high-quality and world-class education for every student so that they are prepared for college, career, and community participation. Our brand helps us communicate this commitment effectively by presenting a unified voice that reflects our district’s mission and goals.

This guide details the elements that make up our brand and provides direction on how to use them successfully.

If you have questions, please contact publicaffairs@xlqx.net.

The official SPS color palette pays homage to the Pacific Northwest, pulling colors from the locations, geography, nature, and climate found in the Greater Duwamish area. These colors exude a sense of excitement, warmth, welcoming, and community.

The colors have been fined tuned to work well with one another. Various pairing can be made to evoke different feelings and convey different messages. Adjustments should not be made to tint, shade, hue, or tone.

Core Colors

Aquamarine, Summer Sun, and Salish Sea are the Core Colors of the SPS brand.

Aquamarine

HEX: 06b689

Summer Sun

HEX: ffd111

These three colors are the primary colors used for evergreen content, while the rest of the palette plays a supporting role. Both Summer Sun and Salish Sea are represented in the SPS logo while Aquamarine grounds our content firmly in the Pacific Northwest and Seattle at large.

SPS’s visual brand strives to be inviting, energetic, and inclusive while never becoming too casual or playful. This should be kept in mind when using these colors.

All SPS Colors

Rain Drop

RGB: R83 G177 B229
CMYK: C61 M14 Y0 K0
HEX: 53b1e5
PANTONE: 2190 C

Apple

RGB: R160 G219 B29
CMYK: C42 M0 Y100 K0
HEX: a0db1d
PANTONE: 2290 C

Salmon

RGB: R243 G115 B82
CMYK: C0 M69 Y71 K0
HEX: f37352
PANTONE: 2024 C

Orca White

RGB: R253 G251 B245
CMYK: C0 M1 Y3 K0
HEX: FdFbF5

Aquamarine

RGB: R6 G182 B137
CMYK: C77 M0 Y62 K0
HEX: 06b689
PANTONE: 339 C

Summer Sun

RGB: R255 G209 B17
CMYK: C1 M16 Y98 K0
HEX: ffd111
PANTONE: 109 C

Grey Sky

RGB: R110 G122 B137
CMYK: C61 M46 Y35 K6
HEX: 6e7a89
PANTONE: 4128 C

The Seattle Public Schools logo consists of the symbol and logotype. The layout and size relationship of the symbol and logotype are intentional and must not be rearranged or altered.

The symbol alone, also known as the brand mark, can be used when it will act as a seal, stamp, watermark, or indicator that the related media is representing Seattle Public Schools. When in doubt, use the complete logo with both symbol and logotype.

The brand mark should be used sparingly and only with the approval of the Public Affairs division or SPSTV designers. When used, the brand mark must not be altered or manipulated.

The logo consists of the official Salish Sea and Summer Sun colors found in the district color palette. Alternate color options are available as shown below.

Logo

Seattle Public Schools logo color
SPS logo color
Seattle Public Schools logo black
SPS logo black
Seattle Public Schools logo white with black background
SPS logo white

Brand Mark

SPS brandmark
Brand mark color
SPS brandmark
Brand mark black
Seattle Public Schools brandmark white with black background
Brand mark white

Logo Colors

The SPS logo consists of the official Salish Sea and Summer Sun colors found in the district color palette. The logo colors must not be altered at any time.

Black and white versions of the logo and brand mark are available as shown below. These versions may be used when only black and white media are available, or when their use provides the best readability.

Logo Size and Placement

When using the complete SPS logo, it is important to always maintain legibility, clear recognition, and brand integrity at all times.

The SPS logo should never be reduced to less than 1 inch across. This is to make sure it retains legibility at all times. An upper size limit does not exist as long as enough breathing space is properly given.

A clear space equal to the height of the capital “S” in “Seattle” should be given on all sides when the logo is used. This is to prevent graphics, text, or images from feeling to crowded and gives the logo enough space to maintain the logo’s integrity. This applies even when the logo is placed in the corner of a document, web page, or video.

Logo Proper Usage

When using the SPS logo, it must never be altered or adjusted in any way. Here are some tips on how to use our logo properly, avoid common mistakes, and maintain brand standards:

  • Do not squash or stretch the logo.
  • Do not rotate the logo.
  • Do not change the color of the symbol or logotype.
  • Do not add effects such as drop shadows, blurs, or glows.
  • Do not change the font of the logotype.
  • Do not rearrange the layout of the symbol and logotype.
  • Do not place the logo on a busy background.
  • Do not place a full color version of the logo on a colored background.

Tip: If you have questions or concerns on how to use the logo properly, contact the SPSTV designers for guidance: spstv@xlqx.net.

Brand Mark Size and Placement

When using the brand mark, it is important to maintain legibility, clear recognition, and brand integrity at all times.

Clear space must be given between the brand mark and all other content to maintain the brand mark’s integrity and impact. The clear space is equal to the height of the star within the brand mark and must be given on all sides, as shown here. This applies in all circumstances, even when the brand mark is placed in the corner of a document, graphic, web page, PowerPoint, or video.

The brand mark must not be reduced to less than .5 inches across to ensure legibility at all times. An upper size limit does not exist as long as proper clear space is given.

Brand Mark Proper Usage

When using the Seattle Public Schools brand mark, it must never be altered or adjusted in any way. Here are some tips on how to use the brand mark properly, avoid common mistakes, and maintain brand standards:

  • Do not squash or stretch the brand mark.
  • Do not rotate the brand mark.
  • Do not change the color of the brand mark.
  • Do not mirror the brand mark.
  • Do not add effects such as drop shadows, blurs, or glows.
  • Do not separate out elements of the brand mark or use pieces in isolation.
  • Do not place the brand mark on a busy background.
  • Do not place a full color version of the brand mark on a colored background.

Tip: If you have questions or concerns on how to use the brand mark properly, contact the SPSTV designers for guidance: spstv@xlqx.net.

Media Toolkit

SPS Fast Facts and Figures

Figures for total enrollment, number of educators, adopted budget, graduation rate, and more

SPS Fast Facts and Figures
Dr. Brent Jones smiles for a photo
Senior Leadership

You can view the SPS senior leadership and department org chart or download senior leader photos.

Download Senior Leadership Portraits