The brand identity of the Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (acib) forms a central component of its public image and institutional credibility. As an internationally networked COMET centre of excellence, acib projects reliability, scientific excellence and a clear focus on innovative biotechnology ‘inspired by nature’. To communicate this vision visibly and consistently, a comprehensive corporate design (CD) has been developed, encompassing both the official acib logo and defined design elements, colour schemes and typography.
The acib logo consists of a stylised green leaf with an integrated letter “A” as well as further graphic elements symbolising the guiding principle “innovations from nature”. Together with other CD elements, these components form the basis of the acib logo kit and ensure a consistent and recognisable brand identity across all communication channels – from the website and scientific publications to social media content and marketing materials.
The correct use of the protected brand and design elements is mandatory for all employees, partner organisations and project consortia. The logo kit provides all official files as well as binding guidelines on placement, minimum sizes, clear space, colour definitions and usage examples. Only the assets contained in the logo kit may be used for internal and external communication activities.
Only the assets contained in the logo kit may be used for internal and external communication activities.
By strictly adhering to these guidelines, acib ensures that the brand is perceived as consistent, trustworthy and professional – a key factor in the international research environment and in collaboration with industry and scientific partners.
Basic principles of logo usage
To ensure a consistent and professional brand image, the following design principles must be strictly observed when using the acib logo
- Unaltered use: The acib logo must only be used in the form officially provided in the acib logo kit. Colour values, proportions, typographic elements and graphic components must not be altered, distorted, rearranged or enhanced with effects.
- Clearance and minimum size: Sufficient space must be maintained around the logo to ensure legibility and recognisability. Minimum sizes and clearance specifications are set out in the official logo kit.
- Backgrounds and contrasts: The logo may only be used on backgrounds that provide sufficient contrast. Use on busy or difficult-to-read backgrounds should be avoided.
- Co-branding with project or partner logos: In joint publications, the acib logo must be positioned correctly in accordance with the layout guidelines. The order, size and proportions must comply with the official co-branding guidelines, where available.
The rules described here apply to all internal and external communication materials of acib and must be agreed with the Communications Department where necessary for new applications or special cases.
Logo variations:
Use of funding body logos and acknowledgements
For all publications, presentations, websites, printed materials and other communication measures produced within the framework of funded projects, acib is obliged to adhere to the funding bodies’ specifications as defined in the respective funding agreement. These include:
- Use of the correct funding body logos in the officially provided versions
- Placement in the order specified by the funding body
- Compliance with all wording and citation requirements in acknowledgements
- Ensuring the correct and complete listing of all participating funding bodies
By visibly displaying funding body logos, acib expressly commits to the shared responsibility of the scientific community and the public sector and makes the involvement of public funds transparent.
Mandatory acknowledgements for COMET projects
The following official wording applies to all COMET-funded content:
The COMET centre acib: Next Generation Bioproduction is funded by BMIMI, BMWET, SFG, Standortagentur Tirol, the Government of Lower Austria and the Vienna Business Agency within the framework of COMET – Competence Centres for Excellent Technologies. The COMET funding programme is managed by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG.
Current logos of the FFG and the federal ministries can be found at this FFG link.
Colour specifications
Brand colour *
C = 35
M = 0
Y = 100
K = 0
M = 0
Y = 100
K = 0
#B3D334
Pantone 376 C
Contrast colour
C = 100
M = 0
Y = 30
K = 0
M = 0
Y = 30
K = 0
#00ABBC
Pantone 320 C
Black
C = 0
M = 0
Y = 0
K = 90
M = 0
Y = 0
K = 90
#38363A
PMS Black C
* Do not use for text due to readability issues.
Verpflichtende Acknowledgements für COMET‑Projekte
- Verwendung der korrekten Fördergeber‑Logos in den offiziell bereitgestellten Varianten
- Platzierung in der durch den Fördergeber vorgegebenen Reihenfolge
- Einhaltung aller Formulierungs- und Zitierpflichten in Acknowledgements
- Sicherstellung der korrekten und vollständigen Nennung aller beteiligten Förderstellen
Mit der sichtbaren Platzierung von Fördergeberlogos bekennt sich acib ausdrücklich zur gemeinsamen Verantwortung von Wissenschaft und öffentlicher Hand und macht die Beteiligung öffentlicher Mittel transparent.
Typograph
A consistent visual identity is central to the recognisability and professionalism of the Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (acib). The corporate design (CD) therefore defines fundamental colour and font guidelines that ensure all communication materials – print, web, presentations and project communication – present a uniform appearance.
Fonts for communication materials: The Helvetica font is used in all communication materials. Helvetica Neue 55 Roman is used for body text and headings, Helvetica Neue Medium for text highlights, and Helvetica Neue 75 Bold is the standard for headings and subheadings. Italic font styles may be used for text highlights or for language variants. For Office applications in Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Arial or Lucida Sans is used.
Other brands & logos of acib GmbH
Events:
As a conference organiser and work package leader for numerous dissemination packages in EU projects, acib is responsible for a range of other brands and logos:
esib (European Summit of Industrial Biotechnology)
esib is a platform event for industrial biotechnology organised by acib. Event slogans: ‘Be part of it – Rethink industrial biotechnology’
www.esib.at
www.esib.at
Life is Science
The event was funded as part of the MSCA European Researchers’ Night and must therefore always be used in conjunction with the EU logo and the EU acknowledgements.
www.lifeisscience.at
www.lifeisscience.at
SciTech events
are webinars (SciTech Impulse) or networking events (SciTech Connect) organised by acib, which focus on specific themes and are aimed at a specialist audience.
ReThink acib
High throughput screening & process development
Project branding
The project brandings listed below were developed by acib and are all associated with EU-funded projects. Therefore, in all cases, co-branding must be used with the calls specified in the respective funding agreement and the EU logo.
CARBAFIN
Hotzymes
CODOBIO
SQUALUS
PIEZO4SPINE
BeyondBattRec
BIO2
OLinWASTE
Service Brandings
acib GmbH has registered the word mark ‘D’accord’. D’accord describes a method for the efficient negotiation of consortium agreements for research projects.
Furthermore, acib is the owner of the SCICONET brand, which covers combined services at the interface between academic science and applied research and development.