The Moon Over Mountains logo is the primary graphic element used to identify the State of Vermont. The logo always consists of two elements, the “Moon Over Mountain” symbol and the Vermont logotype and there are two acceptable arrangements. This logo should appear on all internal and external print and digital communications.
The logo makes use of two colors: Vermont Green (Pantone 356) and black. The only other acceptable color variations are all black or all white (reverse).
Find general information and guidance related to:
- Available arrangements
- Use with identifiers
- Branding for social media
- Branding for multi-agency collaboration
- Usage guidance
- Sponsorships and Endorsements
Registered Trademark
The Vermont logo is a registered trademark protected by law. State of Vermont offices may use it in accordance with specifications defined herein for marketing and promotion of state government goods, services, and agency or department authorized sponsorships. The logo may not be altered or modified by state officials or adapted for use by private entities.
Obtaining Logo Files
The Chief Marketing Office is the sole authority for maintaining and creating the Official Vermont logo files. It is against guidelines to modify, create, or recreate the Coat of Arms or Moon Over Mountains logo files.
For questions concerning use or to obtain the Moon Over Mountains logo with or without an identifier for your marketing piece, please contact us at marketing@vermont.gov. We can provide high-resolution image files in multiple file formats to State entities upon request, and to private organizations when the State of Vermont is a partner or sponsor.
Available Arrangements
Horizontal Arrangement
The horizontal arrangement is the preferred version and should be used whenever possible.
Vertical Arrangement (Social Media or Approved Use Only)
The vertical arrangements is available for use for social media profile pictures or at the discretion of the Chief Marketing Office when necessitated by space or design considerations.
Use With Identifiers
The horizontal arrangement of the Moon Over Mountains logo is available with agency, department, and division identifiers. When using the logo with identifiers, a thin rule is used to separate the two elements.
No more than two lines of identifiers can be used and the text may not extend beyond the left edge of the rule and logo. The order of identifiers is hierarchical, with the Department or Agency first and any additional identifiers below.
More About Identifiers
- Email addresses should not be used as an identifier.
- A State entity is defined as an agency, department, division or program.
- The capitalization of website URLs is left to the discretion of individual State agencies.
Acceptable Logo With Identifier Combinations
Branding for Social Media
Social media profile pictures are an example of when space considerations call for the vertical arrangement of the logo to be used. To ensure branding consistency across platforms, the vertical arrangement is available with an agency, department or division identifier. No more than one identifier, spanning a maximum of two lines, can be used.
Branding for Multi-agency Collaboration
When two or more state agencies collaborate with one another, the multi-agency format of the Moon Over Mountains logo is to be used. This format is available with either the horizontal or vertical arrangement.
Usage Guidance
Placement
While the placement of the Moon Over Mountains logo on any particular document is flexible, in general it is placed in the lower right corner. In this position, the logo acts as a formal sign-off or endorsement of the preceding message. In the case of a folded brochure or multipage document, the logo should be placed on the center of the back panel to achieve a similar effect. This helps to create a visual consistency regardless of document type or format.
Incorrect Usage
Examples of unacceptable usage of the Moon Over Mountains logo:
- Never substitute or alter colors.
- Never use alternate fonts.
- Never rearrange the logo elements.
- Never separate the logo elements.
- Never distort the shape of the logo or any individual element.
- Never tilt the logo.
- Never outline the logo.
- Never create a 'read-through' header with the logo.
- Never use outdated logos.
Sponsorships and Endorsements
The State of Vermont and state entities of all kinds frequently partner with other organizations to fulfill our various missions and best serve the people of Vermont.
To indicate the State’s role in projects or campaigns where the State is not the primary owner, a specific format for use of the official 'Moon over Mountains' logo has been outlined in the Brand Standards and Guidelines. If your department or agency is in need of a "Sponsored by" or “In partnership with” version of the 'Moon over Mountains' logo with your specific agency or department identifier, please contact the Chief Marketing Office. For reference, the distinction we use between sponsorship and partnership is as follows:
- A sponsorship is generally defined as a relationship where the State has given money, or an in-kind donation, in support of a program, event, or campaign, but does not participate in, or play an active role in, the program, event or campaign.
- A partnership means the State is participating, or plays a role in, the program, event, or campaign, but it’s not the primary owner of it.
With any use of state branding by outside partners, please keep in mind that that logo communicates that there is a relationship between the partner or project and the State of Vermont, and implicitly, that the State of Vermont has some role in the outcome of a particular project or program. If anything about the project makes you hesitate to put out that statement, then you and your Agency or Department head should think carefully before you provide or allow usage of the logo.
For a more comprehensive review of the types of issues to consider before entering into a sponsorship agreement, please refer to our Guidance for State of Vermont Sponsorship Agreements document.
Public Endorsements
Unlike a sponsorship agreement, the State cannot give the appearance of endorsing any specific person, product or private company. Equally important, a private party cannot use the state’s name or property (logo or other) for private gain. If a private company approaches you to provide a recommendation of a product or service the state might utilize, or for example asks to include the State's official logo on their website, please be aware this type of public endorsement is not allowed. The State cannot bar a private party from saying that the State of Vermont is a customer, but being a customer does not entitle them to use of the state’s brand assets.
Additional guidance on public endorsements is included in the Agency of Administration's Bulletin 3.5: State Procurement and Contracting Procedures. From a contracting perspective, please be aware (as included in Bulletin 3.5 training materials):
- Providing a recommendation to any vendor / person for their general use, is prohibited;
- The entire procurement process could be tainted as not 'open and fair' if it appears that the State has already 'recommended' or endorsed a particular vendor in writing;
- Even the appearance of a pre-determined 'recommendation' is strictly prohibited;
- An agency or department may respond to a specific inquiry about a specific vendor or project, but all responses shall be limited to factual statements.