The CERN Brand

Brand, n.

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A set of characteristics that distinguishes a product, manufacturer or entity from others in the field.

Our brand defines us.

OUR BRAND IS OUR IDENTITY

Our brand says what we do how we work what we value
Our brand says who we are.

It’s what makes us CERN.

We communicate

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We inform and communicate through a harmonious visual identity defined by a logo, accompanied by a tailored look and feel using branded material and signage.
Our words and messages convey our mission, our purpose, what we stand for and who we are in an engaging and dynamic manner.
 
OUR VISION
To gain understanding of the most fundamental particles and laws of the Universe
 
 
OUR MISSION
To provide a unique range of particle accelerator facilities that enable research at the forefront of human knowledge.

To perform world-class research in fundamental physics
To unite people from all over the world to push the frontiers of science and technology for
the benefit of all.
 
We do this by providing:
• state-of-the-art R&D facilities preparing the technologies of tomorrow
• open access to results
• a proactive knowledge transfer policy
• a nurturing environment supporting a diverse community of people
 

What we do

LHC-white-renderKnowledge for knowledge’s sake is the most valuable commodity we possess.

Basic research is often considered to be a luxury, yet it is the most valuable asset we have, underpinning innovation from the harnessing of fire to the technologies we will need to deliver a sustainable future.

- Fabiola Gianotti, Director General

It’s all about accelerating science for the benefit of everyone.

Our values

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Integrity
Behaving ethically, with intellectual honesty, and being accountable for one’s own actions.

Commitment
Demonstrating a high level of motivation and dedication to the Organization.

Professionalism
Producing a high level of results within resource and time constraints and fostering mutual understanding.

Creativity
Being at the forefront of one’s professional field, furthering innovation and organisational development.

Diversity
Appreciating differences, fostering equality and promoting collaboration.

Code of Conduct

CERN makes you push the boundaries of creativity and imagination. You need to think out of the box to solve problems never dealt with before - Google can’t help here!

- Valeria, Physicist

The fact the personnel are from a large variety of locations and backgrounds opens your mind to new ideas, techniques and solutions to tasks.”

- Paul, Technician

The collaborative working environment is one of the major strengths of CERN. There is, quite simply, nothing else like it.

- Zoe, Technology Transfer officer

Working together towards a common goal

Diversity is a core value of CERN, a source of enrichment, innovation and purpose.
Diverse people bring their unique qualities, different perspectives and creativity.

CERN promotes a workplace culture that acknowledges the added value of a diverse workforce and enables every member of its personnel to contribute to their full potential regardless of nationality, gender, age, profession, and individual differences of belief, opinion, sexual orientation or disability.

Under the umbrella of the Code of Conduct

As part of the Human Resources Strategy, the Code of Conduct is the product of a global reflection on CERN values and common standards of behaviour, intended as a guide in helping us to understand how we conduct ourselves, treat others and expect to be treated. It is based on the Organization’s five core values and aims at enhancing transparency, objectivity and clarity.

It’s all about respect

Safety matters

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CERN strives to ensure the health and safety of everyone participating in the Organization’s activities, present on site, or living in the vicinity of its installations.
We work to limit the impact of our activities on the environment, and to guarantee best practice in matters of Safety.
Health, safety and environmental protection

To do this we provide

Clear and concise safety policies and rules comprehensive training in health and safety matters a highly experienced medical service and emergency response teams a proactive approach to environmental protection
CERN’s emergency number is 00 41 22 767 44 44

Excellence in Health, Safety and Environmental protection: it’s everyone’s business!
 

What makes CERN unique?

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CERN is part of a global research family. We are one of several laboratories around the world providing facilities for the world’s particle physics community to further the frontiers of knowledge.

But CERN is the only one that has

• over 60 years’ experience in delivering particle accelerators at the cutting edge
• a user community of around 17 000 scientists and engineers representing over 100 nationalities
• the world’s highest-energy particle collider
• beam facilities from the lowest to the highest energies available in a laboratory

Our scientific programme is compelling, unique, diverse, and is integrated into the global particle physics landscape. One of our primary goals is to provide a diverse range of excellent physics opportunities and to put our unique facilities to optimum use, maximising the scientific return.

In a nutshell…

CERN belongs to a globally coordinated particle physics community, providing a unique range of particle accelerator facilities that enable research at the forefront of human knowledge.
European Particle Physics Strategy Update 2018 – 2020

 

Looking Good

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The visual image we present carries an important message to the world:  CERN is a modern, innovative organisation with a clear sense of mission.

CERN’s visual identity is a key part of the CERN brand. It is not only important for ensuring the harmony of CERN’s communications; it is also steeped in the Organization’s history. At the heart of our visual identity is the CERN logo.

Being able to identify with the Organization is crucial for those who work here, and CERN’s visual identity plays a symbolic role in this context.

Our logo is the central point of our visual identity.

This logo evokes stability in movement.

Both elements of the logo may not be modified in any way. Their relative position and scale, and their typography are fixed.
To allow for flexibility in the logo’s use, two versions are permitted.

Badge logo

The badge version of the CERN logo may only be used on a clean white background where the CERN blue can be faithfully reproduced.

Outline logo

The outline version of the CERN logo has more colour flexibility. Where the background is not white, the outline logo must be reproduced in black, white or in a grayscale value that offers high contrast and good readability.

Neither element of the logo may be modified in any way. Their relative position and scale, and their typography are fixed.
To allow for flexibility in the logo’s use, two versions are permitted.

Communicating complex science

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Communicating complex science in a clear, engaging and accessible way, conveying the value of fundamental knowledge and its contribution to human well-being.
Writing Guidelines

We are engaged in a journey of discovery that is as old as humankind itself.

The timescales for our research are often long.
Society expects absolute certainties from science, yet the reality of research is very different.
We live in a society that is increasingly dependent on science in all walks of life.
And we live in an age in which fundamental science is increasingly asked to show tangible benefits in the short term.

Our tone of voice is

• Precise and free of jargon
• Accessible to our audiences
• Clear and engaging

Like the science that we do, our communications are evidence-based.

We back up our assertions with clear facts.
We avoid dumbing down.
We tailor our messages to our audiences.

We want people to share our excitement for the mission of CERN. We want them to join us on humankind’s incredible voyage of discovery. That’s what CERN is all about.
- Design and Visual Identity Service