Breadcrumb
Environmental Branding
Environmental branding is used to create a consistent look and feel at UCM. As the
campus itself and all buildings on campus are university property, all elements, where
appropriate and reasonable, must support UCM’s brand. Consistent graphic standards
support the UCM brand and clearly communicate to the public where they are. When individuals
are at any physical place on campus, they should know by their environment they are
at UCM. This can be achieved through, and should be consistently used through, architecture,
lighting, landscaping, paint, fabrics, furniture or other items in the space. The
goal of environmental branding is to make UCM look and feel like a strategically planned,
unified community. This branding best practice is the bedrock of any entity’s identity
and clearly communicates an environment that understands professional standards and
institutional representation. The following standards help achieve this goal.
- UCM wayfinding is set and standard throughout campus to provide an easy and consistent user experience. In order to replace or install wayfinding elements, please contact Facilities, Planning and Operations.
- All environmental branding, which can include signs, exterior/interior flags, banners, window clings, murals, donor recognition or wall elements, etc. must adhere to UCM brand guidelines. Any space or surface that is public facing, including doors or windows (even your exterior-facing office windows) must adhere to UCM brand guidelines. Exception: Legally mandated regulatory signage, such as ADA and fire code signage, must follow federal/state requirements.
- All environmental branding requests must be sent to the Campus Signage Committee to
be approved or denied. If approved, the campus partner will work with IMC on a design.
All graphics must be designed by IMC. IMC will consult with the building manager for
awareness and approval. You will also work directly with Procurement on printing and
installation. Please consider the following in your request:
- Confirm you have the budget for printing and installation.
- Create a plan for graphic replacement. All custom designs need to be sent to IMC to be reviewed at the three-year mark, and then each year thereafter. In the event of an office/service move, or if items are otherwise “weathered,” it is important to update those graphics.
- Environmental branding has an extended timeline. Plan for a minimum of 12 week turnaround time. This is dependent on design time, procurement processes and installation vendor availability.
Exterior Windows
Exterior windows are a very important element of UCM’s overall brand and how the institution presents itself on campus. As such, special consideration must be taken to maintain the integrity of the university’s visual identity.
All exterior windows must be kept clear of any materials, including but not limited to: stickers, window clings, taping/adhesive, hand-written signs, items hanging or anything of a personal or non-institutional nature placed or hung behind the glass that are visible from the public exterior. This includes office windows that are exterior, public-facing windows. It’s important to remember that while the goal is to maintain a welcoming environment, that environment must be built around the university’s unique brand as a public space.
- Exterior department/service window clings are prohibited on academic buildings unless special approval is received by IMC and the Office of the President.
- Exterior department/service window clings will be approved on a case-by-case basis.
Those open for consideration must:
- Not be on an academic building. Window clings are prohibited on academic buildings.
- Align with and promote the university brand.
- Align with the integrity of the campus aesthetic.
- Must be evergreen and timeless.
- Approved by IMC in consultation with the building manager.
- Must focus on the institutional brand and mission and not departmental or individual operations or achievements.
Exterior and Interior Office Signage
- All final design layouts, materials specifications, and mock-ups must be produced and approved by IMC to ensure adherence to brand and legibility standards.
- All exterior building signage outside university offices must comply with university brand guidelines.
- Black or silver metal lettering will be used for exterior office identification and shall be installed above or adjacent to the entrance of the office. Utilizing the Arial or Arial Narrow Bold font. IMC will make recommendations on the size of the lettering considering space, name length, etc.
- Interior walls outside of individual departments and offices shall not be used for individual office/department use, including wayfinding.
- All interior office signage must comply with university brand guidelines. Utilizing Futura PT Cond. Medium Font in white or black.
- Interior windows directly outside of individual departments/offices are limited to institutional branding on a case-by-case basis.
Fleet Vehicles
All university vehicles must display the main university logo. Departments and units have the option of adding their official unit/department/program name in all caps under the university logo. Special use vehicles whose primary use is for recruitment still fall under branding guidelines. To maintain a cohesive brand, these vehicle graphics must be designed by the Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications (IMC). Any requests for special applications, including vehicle wraps, must be approved and designed by IMC.
All custom designs need to be reviewed by IMC at least at the three-year mark, and then each year thereafter. In the event the graphics used on university vehicles start to fade, rip or are otherwise “weathered,” it is important to update those graphics.
