Welcome!
Welcome to ARDC’s Brand Resource Center. Below, you’ll find Brand Guidelines and Brand Assets for use.
ARDC Logo
The ARDC logo serves as the main brand asset for the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC). With several sub-brands, the ARDC logo functions as the parent brand in a family brand.
About the ARDC Logo Design
The ARDC logo represents unification of the seven counties in ARDC’s service area, as legislatively defined by the State of Minnesota. With a sans serif typeface paired with isosceles triangles angled forward and upward in formation, this badge signifies the agency’s dedication to partnership and progress in the region. The use of “ARDC Blue” in the design alludes to the agency’s historic use of the hue.
Using the ARDC Logo
The primary use of the ARDC logo is to identify materials produced by ARDC and to list the agency as a partner in materials produced by other organizations. Always use the logo in its entirety (with both icon and lettering). Whenever possible, use the version of the logo with the full agency name included. Use of the ARDC logo in connection with divisional and programmatic brand assets are outlined in the “Brand Architecture” section of this document.
Color
The correct versions of the logo to use are blue icon with black lettering, all black, or all white. Do not change the appearance (i.e. color, design, texture) of the logo for any reason.
Size
Make sure the ARDC logo is produced at a legible size.
Clear Space
Maintain a clear space around the ARDC logo to maintain clarity of the logo and other visual elements around it.
Shape
Never modify the proportions of the ARDC logo.
Brand Architecture
ARDC’s divisions include ARDC Planning, the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging, and the Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council; each of these divisions has its own brand assets. Additional programs served by the agency (i.e. Senior LinkAge Line®) also have brand assets. This number of assets requires employing a family (or umbrella) approach to appropriately brand the agency, its divisions, and their programs.
Employing Family Branding
ARDC uses family branding to layer its brand assets for the benefit of its brands and audiences. Use the appropriate brand assets and asset formatting described on this page when applying sub-brands.
Family Brand Format
Use this format to demonstrate the agency and brand architecture. Below the agency logo, prioritize division logos first (ordered alphabetically), followed by program logos.
Sub-Brand + Agency Assets Format
Use this format to attribute equal weight to parent and sub-brands. Use this format in email signatures (see: “Email Signatures”).
Sub-Brand Asset + Attribution Format
Use this format to highlight a specific sub-brand while maintaining the parent brand.
Colors
ARDC uses a vibrant blue to connect its parent brand and sub-brands. All ARDC sub-brands must use this color blue as the primary color for their brand. The Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council (DSMIC) uses an orange accent in its sub-brand.
ARDC Blue
CMYK – 100/45/0/33
RGB – 0/93/170
HEX – #005daa
ARDC Black
CMYK – 0/0/0/100
RGB – 0/0/0
HEX – #000000
ARDC White
CMYK – 0/0/0/0
RGB – 255/255/255
HEX – #ffffff
DSMIC Orange
CMYK – 0/59/91/0
RGB – 254/105/24
HEX – #fe6918
Typography
ARDC uses Arial as a standard typeface for its materials. Arial bold is used to connect ARDC’s parent brand and sub-brands it can control.
Writing about ARDC
When referring to ARDC in its full name, it should appear in writing as “the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission.” When referring to its acronym, ARDC is not preceded by “the.”
ARIAL, Bold
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
a b c d e f g h I j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 ( ! ? & % $ . , ; : )
ARIAL
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
a b c d e f g h I j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 ( ! ? & % $ . , ; : )
Email Signatures
Email is a primary mode of communication for ARDC employees. This use means consistent presentation of brand assets in email messages is important to maintaining the ARDC brand; all ARDC employees have email addresses at the “ardc.org” domain for this reason. Use the Sub-Brand + Agency Assets Format outlined in this document (see: “Brand Architecture”) for use in email signatures.
Email Signature Style Guide
Your Name – 12 pt. Arial Bold, Black
Preferred Pronouns (Optional) – 12 pt. Arial Italic, Black
Title (Optional) – 12 pt. Arial Bold, Black
Contact Info – 12 pt. Arial, Black (except email hyperlink)
Brand Assets – Sub-Brand + Agency Assets Format
Confidentiality Notice (as needed) – 12 pt. Arial, Black
Your Name (she/her/hers)
Title
Division Name, ARDC
(218) 722-5545 (Office)
(218) 722-5545 (Cell)
youraddress@ardc.org
The information contained in this email and any accompanying documents may contain information that is confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. Additionally, any information contained in this email and any accompanying documents that is not deemed confidential is subject to the Minnesota Data Practices Act and may be disclosed to third parties when requested. If you have received this e-mail in error please notify me immediately by reply e-mail and delete this message and any attachments from your system. EEO/AA/M/F/Vet/Disability Employer.
Business Cards
Business cards serve as an important tool to connect new partners and clients to ARDC’s services. Employing family branding, ARDC business cards will focus on sub-brands on the front side of the card and ARDC’s parent brand on the back; this strategy will help connect prospective partners and clients directly to the staff member listed on the card while maintaining consistent use of the ARDC parent brand.
Business Card Style Guide
Front
Your Name – 14 pt. Arial Bold, Black
Preferred Pronouns (Optional) – 12 pt. Arial Italic, Black
Title (Optional) – 12 pt. Arial, Black
Division Name – 12 pt. Arial, Black
ARDC Attribution – 12 pt. Arial Italic, Black
Contact Info – 12 pt. Arial, Black
Sub-Brand Assets – Sub-Brand Logo (without text)
Back
Brand Assets – Brand Logo with Full Agency Name
Front
Back
