University of Southern California Logo

USC Logo PNG

The University of Southern California logo contains an element from the seal: a large coat of arms adorned with three burning torches against the rising sun. The light should not be taken literally – it is rather the light of knowledge that students receive. And the sun rising on the horizon symbolizes the beginning of something new.

Meaning and History

Antivirus software, IP telephony, digital image compression, DNA computing – these were all invented within the walls of the University of Southern California. The main mission of the educational institution is research. Especially for these purposes, he has opened several dozen schools, which cover different areas. A common identity system unites them. It dates back to the 1880s when the newly created university needed insignia.

For official documents, USC uses a round seal featuring a shield and three torches. These elements were not present in the original version: they were replaced by a palm tree (symbol of victory) and a scroll with the year the university was founded. The first seal was developed in 1884 because the graduation class of three was to receive diplomas.

A new variant appeared in 1908. Jesse Ray Miller added a triangular shield inside the ring and a band with the words “PALMAM QUI MERUIT FERAT” written on it. This is the university’s Latin motto, which is still used today and is translated as “Let whoever earns the palm bear it.” The shield showed three burning torches and setting sun. At the bottom of the ring were California poppy flowers.

The same elements are present in a modern print, but they are arranged in a different order. The poppies are connected to the shield, the motto is pushed down, and the ring consists of two scrolls joined together. The design changed in 1948 when the USC Board of Trustees decided to renew the school’s identity once again.

Southern California Trojans Logo

The University of Southern California athletic teams are considered the most successful in the NCAA Division I. They have won over 300 Olympic medals, most of which are gold, and have won 130 national championships. The program covers men’s and women’s sports, from football and baseball to water polo and tennis. The branch is named Trojans after the ancient warriors. Rumor has it that the Los Angeles Times sports columnist coined the nickname when describing the stamina and courage of the athletes. It is reflected in the symbols of the teams.

1972 – 1992

Until 1992, the logo was used with the head of a Trojan warrior in profile. The artists detailed the face, depicting a slight smile and a straight nose in the characteristic Greek shape. A helmet protects the Trojan’s head. The forehead is closed by the raised upper visor, and the lower visor is lowered around the neck. The military headdress is adorned with a fan of feathers called a plume. It is a symbol of triumph and power. The emblem is made in yellow and red colors.

1993 – today

In 1993, the graphic logo was replaced by the monogram of the first letters of Southern California. “S” and “C” are intertwined, forming a single figure. The designers completed them with an arched inscription “Trojans,” for which they used a neatly handwritten font. All elements are painted in burgundy with gold edging.

Font and Colors

The California Poppy has been gracing the seal since 1908. It is the official USC flower that represents joy, hope, and memory. The setting sun symbolizes life, and the three torches symbolize philosophy, science, and art. The shield on the emblem is the traditional distinctive mark of the university.

The motto at the bottom of the print is in National font, and the name of the institution in the ring is written using Adobe Caslon Pro. This is the backbone of USC’s official typography. Another important piece of corporate identity is the palette, which contains USC Gold (# FFC72C) and USC Cardinal (# 9D2235). This color scheme was adopted as early as 1895. It is featured on the Trojans sports team emblem, while the print is simply black and white.

University of Southern California color codes