SDARM Brand Book — Chapter 07: Symbol & Logotype

7.1 — The symbol

Origin, anatomy
and meaning

The SDARM symbol was not created by a design agency. It has a history — and that history is part of what it communicates. To understand the symbol is to understand part of the Church's identity.

Logo — Large symbol alone (7.1) Click to insert logo

Official symbol · white background · color #0F3999

The SDARM symbol is made up of five overlapping elements in an ascending movement, forming a figure that evokes a wing or a rising flame. Each layer represents a dimension of the Church's identity — the message that advances, the reform that grows, the community that is built up.

The arc-shaped base connects everything. It represents the earth — the mission field. The layers above it represent the movement: of the reform, of the proclamation, of the hope in the return of Christ.

The symbol was not redrawn for this Brand Book. It is preserved exactly as it was established — with technical corrections of proportion and a defined official color, but with no change of form. The history of the symbol is part of what it communicates.

A symbol that has history does not need to be creative to impress. It needs to be presented with dignity — and preserved with rigor.

Chapter 07 · Symbol & Logotype

Anatomy of the symbol

The five layers

Five overlapping forms in an ascending movement. Each one represents a dimension of the reform and of the mission.

The arc base

Represents the mission field — the earth where the message is proclaimed. It anchors the symbol visually.

The movement

The overall form evokes ascent — a wing, a flame, growth. It points upward without being static.

Absolute rule

The symbol is never redrawn, simplified, animated in an unapproved way or replaced by regional variations. Any change of form — however small — invalidates the use and constitutes a breach of the brand guidelines. Only the official files supplied by the General Conference may be used.

7.2 — The logotype

Typography, proportions
and signature

The logotype is the combination of the symbol with the name of the Church in official typography. It is the institutional signature of SDARM — the way the brand presents itself in formal contexts.

Logo — Full horizontal version (7.2) Click to insert logo

Horizontal logotype · white background · EN version

The logotype combines the symbol with the name of the Church in letterspaced characters of heavy weight. The typeface is BW Modelica — a geometric sans serif that balances institutional authority with contemporary clarity.

The proportion between symbol and text is fixed and cannot be altered. The symbol always keeps the same height relationship with the text block. That proportion is defined in the official files — it must not be recreated by hand.

The name is always presented on two lines: "SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST" and "REFORM MOVEMENT". Never on a single line. Never abbreviated in the main logotype.

Logotype typography

The typography of the logotype is BW Modelica Bold — available only in the official files, as vector outlines. Never reinstall or recreate the logotype typography using the live font. Always use the SVG or EPS files supplied by the General Conference.

7.3 — Official versions

Horizontal, vertical
and symbol alone

There are three official versions of the logotype. Each one has specific uses. Using the wrong version for the wrong context is as problematic as using the logotype incorrectly.

Logo — Horizontal (version card 7.3) Click to insert logo

Horizontal version

Primary use. Documents, stationery, banners, website, presentations, printed materials.

Logo — Vertical / stacked (card 7.3) Click to insert logo

Vertical / stacked version

Used in square posts, covers and materials where the horizontal version does not fit. Symbol above centered text.

Logo — Symbol alone in color (card 7.3) Click to insert logo

Symbol alone — color

Used for favicons, app icons, social profiles, seals, embroidery and situations where the full logotype does not fit.

Logo — Symbol alone in white (card 7.3) Click to insert logo

Symbol alone — white

Used on dark or blue backgrounds, or over photography. The higher-contrast version for reversed applications.

Version rule

Never create versions of the logotype beyond the four above. The horizontal version is always preferred where there is space. The symbol alone is used only when the full logotype does not fit, or when the institution is already identified in text in the same material.

7.4 — Logotype colors

Color rules
by background context

The color of the logotype is not a matter of choice — it follows a simple and precise rule based on the background where it will be applied. Adequate contrast is non-negotiable.

Logo — On a white background (7.4) Click to insert logo

White · Off-white · Cream

Blue logo — #0F3999

Logo — On a dark background (7.4) Click to insert logo

Deep blue · Dark photograph · Black

White logo — #FFFFFF

Symbol — gray / B&W background (section 7.4) Click to insert logo

Neutral gray · B&W printing

Graphite logo — #3C4A5A

Logo color rule

Only three colors are permitted for the logotype: blue #0F3999 (light backgrounds), white #FFFFFF (dark backgrounds or over photography), graphite #3C4A5A (monochrome printing). No other color — including gold, red, green or any departmental color — is permitted for the main logotype.

7.5 — Clear space

Minimum space
and minimum size

Clear space is the empty area that must exist around the logotype in any application. It guarantees legibility and prevents external elements from compromising the visual integrity of the logo.

X X

Logo — Clear space (7.5) Click to insert logo

The unit of measurement X is equal to the height of the symbol. On every side, the minimum free space is 1X. No element — text, image, border or another logo — may enter that area.

Minimum digital size

Logo — Minimum size (7.5) Click to insert logo

Symbol alone: min. 24px in height

Horizontal logotype — min. 160px wide

Horizontal logo 160px

← This is the actual minimum size permitted

Minimum print size

Symbol alone: min. 8mm in height

Horizontal logotype: min. 40mm in width

Below the minimum

If the available space does not allow the minimum size, use the symbol alone — never reduce the full logotype beyond the limit.

7.6 — Correct and incorrect use

What never to do
with the logotype

These are the most common violations of the logotype identity. Each one compromises the visual integrity of the brand and must be corrected immediately when identified.

Situation	Correct ↓ insert image	Never do ↓ insert image
Color — light background Blue logo #0F3999	logo_07_correto_01_cor_fundo_claro.png	logo_07_errado_01_cor_errada.png
Color — dark background White logo #FFFFFF	logo_07_correto_02_branco_fundo_escuro.png	logo_07_errado_02_azul_sobre_azul.png
Proportion Original proportions	logo_07_correto_03_proporcao_correta.png	logo_07_errado_03_distorcido.png
Rotation Always 0 degrees, horizontal	logo_07_correto_04_horizontal.png	logo_07_errado_04_rotacionado.png
Background Solid backgrounds with contrast	logo_07_correto_05_fundo_adequado.png	logo_07_errado_05_fundo_padrao.png
Shadow and effect Clean logo, no effects	logo_07_correto_06_sem_efeito.png	logo_07_errado_06_com_sombra.png
Transparency 100% opacity	logo_07_correto_07_opacidade_total.png	logo_07_errado_07_transparente.png
Modification Original file, unaltered	logo_07_correto_08_original.png	logo_07_errado_08_modificado.png
Recreation Official GC files only	logo_07_correto_09_arquivo_oficial.png	logo_07_errado_09_recriado.png

The logotype is the most
protected element of the brand.
No exceptions.

One logo — for the world

In 127 countries and 16 alphabets, the symbol is the same. That consistency is the foundation of the global identity. Any regional variation — however well intentioned — destroys that foundation.

Always the official file

The logotype files are available in the Brand Hub. Never use a scanned, screen-captured or recreated version. Always the official file, always in the correct format for the medium.

In doubt? Ask

If a use of the logotype is not covered by the rules above, the default answer is not to use it — until the General Conference communication team has been consulted.

Brand Manager's Note

"The SDARM symbol and logotype have a history. Protecting them is not bureaucracy — it is respect for the institution we represent. Every time the logotype is used incorrectly, a little of that history is erased. This chapter exists so that this does not happen."

Hugo Cibalde

Brand Manager

Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement

General Conference · 2026

Origin, anatomyand meaning

Typography, proportionsand signature

Horizontal, verticaland symbol alone

Color rulesby background context