HSC Graphic Style Guide
In 2005, the administrators of the Texas A&M Health Science Center adopted a new logo and tagline. The tagline, “Bringing Learning to Life” can be used in marketing and communication materials to highlight our mission and vision.
Our new logo has been designed to serve as a symbol that the public, staff, faculty, students and alumni may immediately recognize. It is no less than our organization’s “signature.”
Please incorporate these approved standards as new publications are produced and when existing materials are revised. The HSC Communications staff is ready and willing to assist with any questions you may have regarding the use of our logo and name. You may contact them at:
HSC Communications
Texas A&M Health Science Center
007 Medical Sciences Library
1114 TAMU
College Station, Texas 77843-1114
Phone: (979) 845-1934 Fax: (979) 845-5667
For a print-friendly version of the HSC abbreviated style guide please download this PDF.
Our Name in Text
Our legal name is “The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center”. Our legal name should be used in all contracts, legal documents and on diplomas, etc. Likewise, the legal seal of Texas A&M Health Science Center will be used only on legal documents, contracts, official transcripts and diplomas, etc.
Our name, to be used in all other communications, is “Texas A&M Health Science Center”, and our official abbreviation is “HSC”. In communications, spell out the first reference to the Health Science Center as follows:
Texas A&M Health Science Center
Subsequent references may identify the Texas A&M Health Science Center as follows:
Health Science Center or HSC
In addition, communications distributed solely within the state of Texas may identify the Texas A&M Health Science Center as “A&M Health Science Center”.
The words “Health” “Science” and “Center” and “HSC” are always capitalized. The word “the”, which often precedes our name in written communications, is lowercase.
Our Institution/Center Names
The Texas A&M Health Science Center includes all members. Preferred names for each member are shown below. Second reference options are in bold parenthesis.
Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine
(HSC-College of Medicine or HSC-COM)
Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health
(HSC-School of Rural Public Health or HSC-SRPH)
Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry
(HSC-Baylor College of Dentistry or HSC-BCD)
Texas A&M Health Science Center Institute of Biosciences and Technology
(HSC-Institute of Biosciences and Technology or HSC-IBT)
Texas A&M Health Science Center Coastal Bend Health Education Center
(HSC-Coastal Bend Health Education Center or HSC-CBHEC)
Texas A&M Health Science Center South Texas Center
(HSC-South Texas Center or HSC-STC)
Texas A&M Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy
(HSC-Rangel College of Pharmacy or HSC-COP)
If an HSC member has more than one campus, a reference to every campus other than the main campus should include the location, as follows:
First reference: Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine at
College StationSubsequent references: HSC College of Medicine at College Station, or HSC-COM at College Station.
Again, within text where a primary reference has already been made and the antecedent is clear, you may use "the school," "the center," or other appropriate descriptors to prevent a name from becoming cumbersome.
Please note that the word "at" is always used to designate locations. Commas and dashes are to be avoided.
Identity Symbol
The logo for the Texas A&M Health Science Center and each of its members include four basic elements: the HSC symbol, the system name, the HSC name and, if applicable, the member name.
- The college or school name should never appear alone with the symbol without the system name and the HSC name.
- The size relationships between the various elements should not be changed. As any part of the symbol is enlarged or reduced, the entire symbol must be altered accordingly.
- At no time should the symbol, letters or words be altered or distorted to achieve a special effect.
- The HSC symbol may only appear alone if it is used with the system name, the HSC name and, if applicable, the academic unit name elsewhere within the communication or as part of a comprehensive signage program.
Approved electronic files should be obtained through HSC Communications at http://tamhsc.edu/communications/logo.
Colors and Typography
The official colors of the Texas A&M Health Science Center and its members are maroon and gray. For print color reproduction, maroon (PMS 202) and gray (PMS 425) are to be used. Metallic ink, silver (PMS 877), may be substituted for gray in both publications and signage. On the Web, for the closest Web-safe color match, use the hexadecimal values: #660000 for maroon and #666666 for gray.
The typeface for the official Texas A&M Health Science Center communications, such as standard stationery items, is the family of Garamond 3. Publications, Web sites that are promotional in nature, posters and advertising are not limited to Garamond 3.
The Symbol's Environment
The HSC symbol is not to be combined with the seals or logos of any of its academic units or the HSC Legal Seal. The symbol should be seen in its entirety and should not be obscured by text or art. The symbol should always have a window of space around it, so that background colors or elements do not appear to be part of the HSC symbol. For more information on how to use the symbol within its environment, please refer to the Graphic Standards Manual at http://tamhsc.edu/communications.
Business Cards and Letterhead
Business cards and letterhead can be ordered online. Visit the HSC Communications page at http://tamhsc.edu/communications/stationery for additional information.
