About the MIAC Logo
The story, symbolism, and style standards behind the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's visual identity.
Primary, Secondary, Tertiary & Wordmark
Four marks make up the MIAC's visual identity system — each built for a different use case, all rooted in the same symbolism. Tap a mark to explore it.
Primary Logo
The MIAC primary logo is the horizontal emblem. The design establishes consistency throughout the brand and is built on a foundation of items symbolic of the Conference, its mission, and values.
- 1 The state of Minnesota — home to all 13 MIAC institutions — is prominently showcased and integrated with the "M" of "MIAC."
- 2 Representing Minnesota's nickname of "The North Star State," the North Star cuts through the MIAC name to serve as the "guiding light" for student-athletes.
- 3 The North Star's four points represent the MIAC's four core values: Quality Athletics, Academics, Integrity, and Student-Athlete Well-Being.
- 4 The logo box and Conference nomenclature pay homage to the MIAC's legacy logo, while the refreshed green and blue colors harken back to the Conference's original emblem.
Secondary Logo
The MIAC secondary logo prominently features the state of Minnesota, home to all 13 MIAC institutions and a unifying force for the Conference. The logo is fully integrated with a diagonal orientation of the "MIAC" lettering, covering nearly all of the Conference's geographic footprint.
This convergence represents the Conference's connection to the state, as well as a statewide connection to the MIAC — a bond that has been woven together for nearly a century. The MIAC is Minnesota, and Minnesota is the MIAC.
Tertiary Logo
The MIAC tertiary logo features the full conference nomenclature below the elements of the secondary mark. The word "Minnesota" is prominent in this logo and represents the only time the state's name is separated from the conference nomenclature in logo format.
Wordmark
The MIAC wordmark provides a clean, type-only treatment of the Conference name for use where a full emblem isn't practical — apparel, narrow banners, and secondary branding placements.
The Palette
The Colors
Each color in the MIAC palette is drawn from the identity of the state itself. Click a swatch to copy its hex code.
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Mnisóta Blue
#2F6690
Named for the Dakota Sioux word "Mnisóta," meaning "sky-tinted water" — representing the rivers and 10,000+ lakes that define Minnesota.
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Northwoods Green
#006241
From tranquil forests to rolling hills, Northwoods Green represents the natural beauty found across every MIAC campus and the state itself.
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Skyline Silver
#A7A9AC
Emblematic of the bustling Twin Cities metro — home to six MIAC institutions — binding Minnesota's natural history with urban energy.
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White
#FFFFFF
Completes the official color palette, used throughout the identity system for contrast and clarity.
Evolution of the Mark
Logo History
Three decades of MIAC branding, from the Conference's first emblem to today's identity.
1994
The Original Emblem
Conceptualized by the Conference's first Executive Director, Carlyle Carter. The logo incorporated a book, representing scholarship, surrounded by 13 pieces of a shield for the 13 member institutions, alongside an iconic flame symbolizing purity and idealism. Member institution names encapsulated the design against a backdrop of the state of Minnesota.
1994 – 2017
The Legacy Logo
Introduced shortly after the green state emblem, featuring the letters "M.I.A.C." in white against a black background with a torch to the left of the banner — symbolic of the "guiding light" for student-athletes. This served as the Conference's primary mark for more than two decades.
2013 – 2017
The "Core Value" Logo
Developed in 2013 as an ancillary mark recognizing the Conference's commitment to Quality Athletics, Academics, Integrity, and Student-Athlete Well-Being. Featured the MIAC banner in front of a yellow state of Minnesota, surrounded by the four core values. Officially retired in 2017.
2017 – Present
Today's Identity
Introduced in July 2017, featuring the state of Minnesota integrated with a straight orientation of the custom "MIAC" lettering, anchored by a dynamic North Star icon that harkens back to the "guiding light" concept of the previous logo. The full conference nomenclature is spelled out at the base of the mark.
Common Questions
FAQ
The primary goal of the logo revision process was to create a visual identity that best embodies who the Conference is and what it represents. The objective was to build an identity that honors the heritage and tradition built over the last century while reflecting who the MIAC is today and how it sees itself progressing into the future — a refreshed, modern look meant to serve and represent the Conference well for many years to come.
The new colors are inspired by the state of Minnesota and are unique to the Conference — no member institution uses these primary colors. They include Mnisóta Blue, Northwoods Green, and Skyline Silver, with white rounding out the official palette. See the
Colors section above for the full story behind each shade.
The MIAC primary logo is the horizontal emblem featuring the state of Minnesota integrated with the "M" of "MIAC," a North Star "guiding light" with four points representing the Conference's four core values, and a logo box and nomenclature paying homage to the MIAC's legacy mark. See the
Logos section above for the full breakdown.
The secondary logo prominently features the state of Minnesota fully integrated with a diagonal orientation of the "MIAC" lettering, representing the Conference's statewide connection — a bond woven together for nearly a century.
The tertiary logo features the full conference nomenclature below the elements of the secondary mark, with the word "Minnesota" prominently separated from the conference nomenclature — the only logo in the system to do so.
The logos were created by Skye Dillon, who owns and operates Skye Design Studios, a brand identity and design firm located in the greater New York City area.
Need the full brand standards?
Typography, spacing, usage rules, and downloadable assets.
Download Style Guide