Brand Refresh Launch: Frequently Asked Questions
Why did CSUCI refresh its brand?
Cal State Channel Islands’ brand should clearly and consistently communicate who we are, what makes the University distinctive and the experience we provide our students. The refreshed identity creates a more cohesive University brand while drawing inspiration from CSUCI’s extraordinary campus, surrounding landscape and connection to the region.
What does the refreshed brand say about CSUCI?
Our brand starts with who we are, now what we look like. At CSUCI, academic excellence and opportunity go together. Students work closely with faculty and have opportunities to put their learning into practice through research and creative activity, hands-on learning, service learning, and engagement with our communities. Faculty and staff support students throughout their journey, helping them navigate their experience, make connections, and access the opportunities available to them.
What has changed?
The refreshed brand includes a new primary University logo, an updated color palette, the new Dolphin Spirit Mark and updated standards for typography, photography, graphic elements and other visual applications. The Brand Guidelines also provide guidance for how we communicate consistently about CSUCI.
How was the refreshed brand developed?
The refreshed brand was informed by more than two years of research, listening, and engagement. Students, employees, alumni, and community partners participated in research and conversations about CSUCI’s strengths, the student experience, and what distinguishes Cal State Channel Islands.
What does the new University logo represent?
The primary logo features two landmarks closely associated with CSUCI: the University’s iconic Bell Tower and sathwiwa, the Chumash name for Round Mountain. Together, they create a distinctive visual connection to our campus and the place CSUCI calls home.
Why was sathwiwa incorporated into the logo?
sathwiwa is a prominent feature of the landscape surrounding CSUCI and holds cultural significance for the Chumash people. Its inclusion alongside the Bell Tower connects the University’s visual identity more deeply to place and acknowledges an important landmark in the University’s surrounding landscape.
What are CSUCI’s primary colors?
Channel Blue is CSUCI’s dominant institutional color and is inspired by the ocean waters surrounding the nearby Channel Islands. Islands Teal, inspired by waters and landmark features on campus, serves as the primary supporting color.
Berry Red, a legacy CSUCI color inspired by regional flora and agricultural connections, continues in a more limited role. The palette also includes white and neutral accent colors that provide flexibility, clarity and accessibility.
What is the Dolphin Spirit Mark?
The Dolphin Spirit Mark is a new extension of CSUCI’s visual identity designed to express Dolphin pride and campus spirit. It features a stylized Dolphin and uses Channel Blue and Islands Teal.
Does the Dolphin Spirit Mark replace the CSUCI logo?
No. The Dolphin Spirit Mark complements the University’s primary logo; it does not replace it. The primary University logo remains the official identity for external communications such as publications, advertising, websites, and other institutional materials.
Where can the Dolphin Spirit Mark be used?
Appropriate uses include student organizations and clubs, intramural sports and related gear, apparel and retail merchandise, and select on-campus applications such as banners and signs.
The Dolphin Spirit Mark should not be used to identify academic majors, departments, offices or other University units.
Can my department, program or office continue using its existing logo?
No. With the public launch of the refreshed brand, previous branding and independently created logos used by University departments, programs, areas and units will be retired on Aug. 21. University entities should transition to the approved CSUCI identity system and appropriate University logo extensions when ordering newly created materials or promotional items using the refreshed brand.
Marketing & Communications can help determine the appropriate new identity for your area.
Any office supplies or promotional items with the previous branding should no longer be used after Aug. 21. Please contact mar.comm@csuci.edu to have these items picked up from your area.
Can I continue wearing CSUCI apparel with the previous logo?
Absolutely! Alumni, students, employees, families, friends and supporters are encouraged to continue wearing their “legacy” CSUCI apparel and merchandise with pride. The University’s refreshed brand does not diminish the history, memories or connections represented by previous CSUCI logos.
Those items remain part of CSUCI’s story — and wearing them is another way to show Dolphin pride and connection to the University.
Departments with existing inventories of promotional items or merchandise featuring previous branding should continue to distribute and reduce those supplies through the end of the 2026 calendar year. New orders should use the refreshed brand and approved artwork.
Do I need to update my email signature?
Yes. Updated email signature guidance and templates are included as part of the University’s brand resources and should transition to the new format found at Brand Assets 2026 or go.csuci.edu/brand-assets.
What about websites, social media accounts and digital materials?
University-managed websites, social media accounts and digital communications will transition to the refreshed identity. Departments and programs should use approved University assets rather than creating modified or independent versions of the primary logo or Dolphin Spirit Mark.
Can I change the colors or modify the new logo for my department or event?
No. University logos and the Dolphin Spirit Mark should be used only in their approved forms. They should not be recolored, altered, stretched, rearranged or combined with other graphics or text in ways that create a new logo.
Where can I download the new logos, templates and other brand assets?
Approved logos, templates and other resources are available through CSUCI’s brand resources noted below. Employees should use files from the official University source rather than recreating or downloading logos from other locations. Brand Assets 2026 or go.csuci.edu/brand-assets
Who can help me determine what I should use?
Each division has Brand Partners who can assist with brand-related questions and designs in consultation with Marketing & Communications.
Additional assistance is available from Marketing & Communications at mar.comm@csuci.edu or 805-437-8915.
Marketing & Communications (MarComm) will offer weekly office hours on Wednesdays from 3 to 4:30 p.m. to answer questions about using the new brand assets and institutional messaging. Please register to join us during scheduled hours. You may also contact MarComm at mar.comm@csuci.edu.
When does the new brand take effect?
The refreshed brand officially launches Aug. 21, 2026. Beginning with the launch, newly created communications and materials should use the updated identity in accordance with the Brand Guidelines. Existing inventories featuring previous branding may continue to be used and reduced through the end of the 2026 calendar year.