Communications and Marketing to implement and
maintain Visual Identity Standards Manual and monitor usage of standards.
Attachment A
The City of Ottawa has the following officially recognized graphic elements that comprise the City’s visual identity. These are the wordmark, the coat of arms and the flag. These are registered trademarks and cannot be changed.
City of Ottawa Wordmark
Wordmark
The foundation of the new look is the Ottawa
wordmark, shown above. It will be used frequently: on outdoor signs, vehicles,
advertising and printed materials, uniforms and souvenirs, and will be the most
commonly used visual element by the City of Ottawa.
The focal point of the logo is a stylized O formed
by three streamers which come together, symbolizing unity and harmony and
working together towards a common goal. It suggests energy and motion,
reflecting the vibrancy of our city as well as its economic and business
strengths — a city that’s innovative and on the leading edge.
The shape of the streamers is reminiscent of a maple
leaf and a hint of local architecture, while the colours blue and green remind
us of the parks, green space and waterways that surround us.
The wordmark will be the main identification tool
used by the City of Ottawa. It will be the most commonly used visual element by
the City of Ottawa and most visible to the community. Its main objectives are
to: clearly identify the programs, services and facilities provided through
municipal tax dollars, and present a unified image to the public. This includes
and is not limited to the following: all stationery and forms; all
publications; newspaper advertisements; facility and other asset signs; staff
identification/uniforms; souvenirs; vehicles; and, electronic usages.
Wordmark Usage
Council and City committees, City departments, and
wherever possible, boards, funded by City of Ottawa ratepayers must use the
wordmark in the manner described in the Visual Identity Standards Manual. The
following broad parameters must be observed when using the Wordmark:
§ The Wordmark cannot be
altered in any way
§ To preserve the integrity of
the Wordmark, it must not be combined with other elements to create a new
symbol or image.
Colour models and application standards of the
Wordmark are detailed in the Visual Identity Manual kept up-to-date by
Communications and Marketing. Any requested variation on the standards must be
presented to the Director of Communications and Marketing or designate for
review and decision.
Flag
The stylized O design is the centrepiece of the new
flag. The look is simple, but festive. When it is flying, the feeling of
vibrant motion is very apparent. The flag’s design uses the blue and green colours
chosen to represent the new city. The dynamic use of colour is a direct
reflection of how the citizens feel about their city. The large blue is
symbolic of the rivers and waterways that are such an integral part of life in
the Ottawa area. The large green areas speak to our quality of life and the
abundance of green space in the region.
Flag Usage
All departments, Council, committees, boards and
commissions may use the flag authorized by Council. Flags will also be
available for use by the public. The City’s Chief of Protocol governs the
protocol associated with the usage of flags.
The standard size for the flag is 183 cm wide by 91
cm tall. It may be reproduced at a smaller or larger size but the proportions
of 1:2 must never be altered.
City of Ottawa coat of arms
Coat of Arms
On October 20, 1954, the Right Honourable Vincent Massey, C.H., Governor General of Canada, presented to Ottawa City Council the Arms of Ottawa, issued under grant of the Kings of Arms.
The coat of arms is a distinguished and official
symbol with an elevated status that is set apart from the Wordmark and other
marketing and communication tools. As a heraldic device, it is intended for
ceremonial application only. Its use will be restricted to key applications and
may include the following examples: Mayor’s ceremonial stationery; Mayor’s
chain of office; selected proclamations; seals; certificates and invitations;
selected souvenirs; and, executive gifts. The coat of arms is granted under the
authority of the Governor General as the Head of the Canadian Heraldic
Authority.
Attachment B
City of Ottawa Visual Identity Usage Policy
Policy Statement
It is City policy that all employees will abide by
the rules governing the use of the City’s identifiers as described in the
Visual Identity Manual. It is also understood that third party use of the
identifiers seek permission from the Corporation of the City of Ottawa as
outlined in this document.
Purpose
The Usage Policy and the Visual Identity Standards
Manual are intended to clarify the use of our identifiers by third parties.
Some irregularities and misappropriate usage related to the use of the City of
Ottawa’s identifiers have been noted.
Application
This Policy applies internally to all City staff, as
well as to members of Council within the practice of their duties relating to
mandated City business. The usage of City of Ottawa identifiers may be
restricted during election campaigns as outlined in the Elections by-law. In
this policy, “external use” means use by any person, including any business,
organization, association, board, or agency, not forming part of the municipal
corporation known as the City of Ottawa. It also includes use in association
with a program, service or product not endorsed by the Corporation’s
administration and/or City Council.
Policy
Description
The various elements of the City of Ottawa’s visual
identity provide a graphical representation of the City of Ottawa, its elected
officials, and its administration. It affords immediate public recognition of
the fact that individuals, events and facilities are formally associated with
the municipality. In addition, the City’s new symbols serve as beacons to
identify municipal services and clearly show taxpayers’ dollars at work,
whether it is in relation to a building, a park, a program, a vehicle, a
service or a celebration. The new symbols convey the quality of life, the
feelings of growth and hope, and the beauty of our environment and green space.
They convey the economic and business strengths of the City and its attraction
as a tourist destination. Finally, the various elements of the visual identity
respect our role as the National Capital. The cosmopolitan approach of the
City’s new visual identity makes a clear statement in introducing the new City
of Ottawa as a forward-moving, clean, green and successful place to live, work,
play and visit.
In light of this, and to preserve the integrity of
the City’s visual identity, City Council has adopted the following policy for
use of the City of Ottawa visual identity. This policy serves to establish the
parameters governing use of the City’s visual identifiers so as to protect the
integrity of the City’s visual identity, ensure consistency in the application
of corporate symbols and to ensure that the legal protection afforded to these
design elements is not diluted by inappropriate use. In addition, it prescribes
a process for the consideration and approval of requests for external use of
the City of Ottawa visual identifiers. In light of the official nature of the
Coat of arms, its external use is prohibited and the City of Ottawa will not
consider requests for use of the Arms of Ottawa.
In order to provide consistency in the application
of this policy, the Director, Communications and Marketing, has been delegated
the authority for the consideration and approval of all requests for the
external use of the City of Ottawa visual identity.
Internal Use
Coat of arms and Motto
The Coat of arms and motto is a distinguished and official symbol of the City with an elevated status that sets it apart from other elements of the City’s visual identity. As a heraldic device, it is intended for ceremonial applications only. Its use is restricted to key applications tied to the Mayor’s Office, such as the Mayor’s ceremonial stationery, Mayoral Chain of Office, selected proclamations, seals, selected souvenirs and executive gifts.
As a grant of Arms under the authority of the
Governor General as Head of the Canadian Heraldic Authority, the Coat of arms
may not be modified or altered under any circumstances. The City’s Chief of
Protocol administers the rules surrounding the usage of the coat of arms.
“Ottawa” Wordmark
The wordmark will be the identifier most commonly
used by the new City of Ottawa and the most visible to the community. Its main
objectives are to clearly identify programs, services and facilities provided
through municipal tax dollars, endorsed by its administration and City Council
while presenting a unified image to the public. This includes, but is not
limited to, all stationery and forms, all publications including City programs
and services promotional material, newspaper advertisements, facility and other
asset signs, staff identification, uniforms, souvenirs, and electronic uses.
The wordmark shall not be altered in any way and
shall not be combined with other visual elements so as to create a new symbol
or image.
Any new application of the Wordmark should be
prepared with the leadership of the Director of Communications and Marketing or
its designate for resolution.
Flag
All City departments and officials may use the flag
and flags may be made available for use by the public and external agencies.
The City’s Chief of Protocol administers the rules surrounding the usage of
flags.
External Use
The stylized “Ottawa” wordmark is an official mark
of the City of Ottawa and, as such, enjoys all of the protections afforded by
section 9 of the Trade-Marks Act. The
external use of the City of Ottawa’s visual identity, without the consent of
City Council obtained in accordance with this policy, is expressly prohibited.
Visual identifiers may not be used in any manner that brings the integrity or reputation of the City of Ottawa, its elected representatives, officials or employees, into disrepute. Any such use of the mark is expressly forbidden and shall result in immediately revocation of any permission granted under this policy.
The City of Ottawa’s symbols and its application
guidelines are the property of the City of Ottawa. Elements of the City’s
visual identity may not be used in connection with a business and may not be
employed in such a manner as to suggest the City’s endorsement of, or
affiliation with, a product or service, without the express permission of the
Director, Communications and Marketing (see Responsibilities).
Where permission has been obtained to use symbols
forming part of the City’s visual identity, the user shall not alter or modify
the symbol, cause the symbol to be altered or modified, or combine the symbol
with other graphical elements, without the express permission of the Director,
Communications and Marketing. Users shall seek approval of any material by the
Director, Communications and Marketing before proceeding to production and
dissemination.
Responsibilities
All requests for external use of any element of the
City’s visual identity shall be submitted, in writing, to the Director,
Communications and Marketing or designate. All such requests shall be in a form
satisfactory to the Director, Communications and Marketing and must
specifically describe the proposed use, including the context in which the
symbol is to be used. Permission to use the City’s visual identifiers is in the
sole discretion of the Director, Communications and Marketing.
Contraventions
Failure to adhere to this Policy will result in a
notification from the Director of Communications and Marketing, with a copy to
Legal Services. Subsequent failure to comply would result in action from the
City of Ottawa’s Legal Services.
Enquiries
Director,
Communications and Marketing
580-2424,
extension 21502