01. Distinctive Assets
Distinctive assets are the specific elements of the brand that we invest in to build brand equity over the long term.
Big Lex
Blue-Pantone 286
02. Creative Examples
Digital
Video
03. Logo
Added “Which Logo Do I Use?” section for greater clarity around choosing the correct logo file. Added “Additional Clarifications” section for greater clarity around when to break from brand fonts and logos.
Versions
Full Color
Stacked
Full Color
Horizontal
Flat Color
Stacked
Full Color
Horizontal
Which Logo Do I use?
Step 1: RGB, CMYK, SPOT PMS or GRAYSCALE
RGB: Digital end use, color
CMYK: Print end use, color
SPOT PMS: Print end use, color, requires inclusion of PMS 286 ink
GREYSCALE: Digital or Print end use, no colorNote: White version of logo can be used in some color applications. For example: on a blue background.
Step 2: Box or No Box
The preferred logo background is with a box. This guarantees clearspace and color contrast rules are followed.The “No Box” versions can be used as long as clearspace and color contrast rules are respected.
Step 3: EPS or PNG
PNG files have been prepared at a large enough resolution to fit most use cases. However, if the logo needs scaled larger than the PNGs native resolution, then use the EPS file. EPS is able to retain it’s image quality better as it is scaled.
Step 4: Stacked or Side-by-Side
The preferred logo orientation is stacked. However, side-by-side logos can be used if they are a better fit for the space.
Step 5: With or Without “Lexington, KY”
The logo version with "Lexington, KY" is used when you are creating a non-VisitLex material for use outside of Lexington, KY, or the materials you are producing do not otherwise acknowledge Lexington, KY. (Example: A poster for an event in which VisitLEX is only a sponsor)
Step 6: Full Color, Two Color, or Horse Only
Follow minimum size guidelines to determine.
Additional Clarifications
Ensure “Lexington, KY” is present on all materials.
There is no official logo or lockup for the city name. However, it must be present in some way on all materials.
Do I always have to use the new fonts and logo?
Pretty much. Exceptions include:
* Consumer facing merchandise
(Example: A Lexington, KY t-shirt may use different fonts, colors, artwork to make a more relatable product. However, if there is a logo on the tag of this t-shirt, we would still use our VisitLEX logo since that is more of a brand identity use)
Minimum Size
Primary Stacked
Full Color
Print: Use at sizes 1.2” wide or greater.
Digital: Use at 150px wide or greater.
Flat Color
Print: Use below 1.2" but no smaller than 0.5".
Digital: Use below 150px wide but no smaller than 60px wide.
Primary Horizontal
Full Color
Print: Use at sizes 2.6” wide or greater.
Digital: Use at 330px wide or greater.
Flat Color
Print: Use below 2.6" but no smaller than 0.9".
Digital: Use below 330px wide but no smaller than 130px wide.
Lexington KY, Stacked
Logo with Lexington, KY is only used on pieces that don’t otherwise acknowledge Lexington, KY. Below minimum sizes, indicate Lexington, KY elsewhere in the creative.
Full Color
Print: Use at sizes 1.2” wide or greater.
Digital: Use at 150px wide or greater.
Flat Color
Print: Use below 2.6" but no smaller than 0.75".
Digital: Do not use below 150px.
Lexington KY, Horizontal
Print: Use at sizes 2.6” wide or greater.
Digital: Use at 330px wide or greater.
Flat Color
Print: Use below 2.6" but no smaller than 1.3".
Digital: Do not use below 330px.
Use With Team Kentucky Logo
When size permits, the Team Kentucky logo should be used on the following: Print, Radio, Internet, Internet Media, Outdoor Advertising, and Video (The Brand must appear during the last three to five seconds of the video spot).
Clear Space
To ensure the logo does not get lost among other elements or get confused as part of something it is not, maintain clearspace around all sides of the logo.
Logo Placement
When placing the logo over a pattern or image use white as defined by clearspace to set it apart.
In Motion
An animated version of the logo is used in situations where motion is possible.
Fluid Logo Use
The Big Lex shape is iconic and can be used as a container shape for special circumstances. Examples of usage is seen here with our Rainbow Horse and Stars & Stripes Horse.
Any imagery contained within Big Lex as a fluid device must be more than a single color.
Do Not: Stretch, add to, remove or otherwise alter the SHAPE of Big Lex.
Additional Rules Of Use
04. Color
Primary
RGB: 0/87/168
HEX: 0057A8
RGB: 255/255/255
HEX: FFFFFF
Secondary
RGB 230 235 243
HEX E6EBF3
RGB: 0/66/129
HEX: 004281
RGB: 0/77/150
HEX: 004D96
RGB: 0/119/190
HEX: 0077BE
RGB: 96/175/225
HEX: 60AFE1
RGB: 145/202/238
HEX: 91CAEE
RGB: 0/1/10
HEX: 00010A
RGB: 64/64/64
HEX: 404040
RGB: 128/128/128
HEX: 808080
RGB: 191/191/191
HEX: BFBFBF
RGB: 255/255/255
HEX: FFFFFF
Tertiary Colors
CMYK 100 66 0 76
RGB 11 35 65
HEX #0B2341
CMYK 29 13 23 0
RGB 180 190 180
HEX #B4BEB4
CMYK 78 35 74 78
RGB 33 56 35
HEX #21382D
CMYK 0 13 50 0
RGB 252 209 146
HEX #FCD192
CMYK 13 43 86 45
RGB 131 97 48
HEX #836130
CMYK 63 51 45 33
RGB 85 89 96
HEX #555960
05. Typography
Typography allows the brand to communicate consistently across media.
Font Families
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
Magazine is used for top level headlines, in custom lockups and other design elements.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
Denton is used for lower level headlines, pull quotes, lead-ins and other accents.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
Graphik is used for body typography and lower level headlines
Language
06. Supporting Elements
Additional design elements can be utilized on an as-needed basis. The combination and use of these elements will give the brand flexibility in how it presents itself with consistent elements tying everything together into an overall cohesive look.
Patterns
Color Pairing
When using a pattern, only pair with colors that do not have a red X. Colors that we feel do not pair well with the indicated pattern have been crossed out with a red X.
Position
Visible tiling within a pattern should be avoided. You should refrain from perfectly centering the tiling within a space, instead allow it to cut off the edges at a third or halfway point. Additionally, do not cut off the ends of a pattern, as it looks messy and does not fit within brand guidelines.
Do Not: Position the pattern in such a way that only a tiny bit of the next tile repetition is in the frame.
Do Not: Fill the frame to the exact edge of the tile repetition.
Pattern Scale
The scale of each pattern should be adjusted for each piece. A majority of print pieces will be small, but for backdrops, podiums, and physical architecture, treat the scale as if it were a wallpaper piece. You can check resolution by entering pattern edit mode and viewing the embedded object’s properties.
Helpful scaling command: Click on the desired object, then hit “Pattern fill” using the scale tool (s) + ~ + shift, and drag diagonally to scale up or down.
Badges
Iconography
This icon style is defined as simple linework, with rounded terminals and no fills. These are intended to be used a small scale only where space is limited and where they add clarity to a concept or user experience. Do not use this illustration style for large or hero graphics.
07. Photography
Lexington is a place that defies expectations. Let’s create a look that captures the vibrant, progressive, youthful energy that permeates our city.
In this section, we’ll explore three elements of photography that bring distinctiveness to the brand... and add to the allure of Lexington as an unexpectedly cool destination.
Light Play
Light gives photography its magic. By getting creative with the use of light in our photos, we can create a more romanticized and idealized impression of Lexington.
Color Forward
Lexington is a vibrant and colorful place. Let’s avoid dull and muted photography, and instead look for images that bring color to the forefront of our brand.
Artful Composition
Tourism photography doesn’t have to be boring. Let’s bring an unexpected approach to photo composition that draws the eye and leverages the artistic perspectives of our photography partners. The goal here is not just to document a scene as it is, but to capture the feeling of a moment.
Overview
- Use as much natural light as possible.
- Keep the media that you’re shooting for in mind—we want the photos to fit our various placement sizes in the most appealing way. That said, be sure to capture every photo in both horizontal and vertical formats. For example, Beyond Grits guide photos should be mostly vertical while social posts should be square or horizontal, so shoot in both formats to be safe.
- Use wide angle photography to capture Lexington’s spacious landscapes. Colors should seem natural.
- Embrace all parts of the scene without perfecting every detail—strive for organic and natural. By capturing small details, nearby remnants and landmarks, we can more accurately tell a story.
- Consider unique framing opportunities and perspectives. Get a little artistic.
- Keep diversity top of mind. Look for appropriate, organic ways to represent people of color and the LGBTQ+ community.
- Rather than posing your subjects, direct them—ask them to do something and try to capture the real-life reactions and moments.
- Add subtle film grain if not already present in the imagery.
- Edit each series with the same color palette. A few common characteristics we use to achieve the analog look are bringing the whites down and bringing up the blacks so there is no pure white or pure black in the image.
When photographing subject matter for VisitLEX in these categories, keep the key characteristics in mind, but do not be so bound by them that you miss other opportunities.
For example, “horses” are a pillar for places like Montana, Texas or Chincoteague Island, VA. However, key characteristics further paint the picture for how horses show up in Lexington, KY, as “Horses on the farm,” “Horse racing & eventing,” “Horse touring,” and “Foals.”