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Division of University Advancement

University Advancement

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The UCCS Style Guide

The Quick Version:

We've built this Style Guide to help strengthen the UCCS brand by making the look, feel, and message consistent across the campus.

Each year thousands of messages about UCCS are sent through letters, brochures, flyers, business cards, post cards, banners, etc. What do those messages say about UCCS? Do they tell a consistent story, or a story of segmentation and separation?

Ultimately all messages sent to the public should tell the same story; they should be easily identified as being from UCCS. We do that by following style guidelines to ensure all UCCS communication has the same look, feel and tone. This does not mean every brochure, poster and flyer looks exactly the same – that would be boring. But it does mean all pieces look as though they are part of the same “family.”

If you are developing new pieces of communication, the style guide can help. It will help you create materials that tell your department’s unique story, while still being a part of UCCS. The guide can help you answer questions about identity standards such as what colors to use, what fonts to pick and how to use the logo. If you can’t find the answer you are looking for in the style guide, or just want a little help, please contact contact Jeff Foster, in University Advancement, at x3847.

Basics

Official colors, fonts, photographs, shapes, and logo make up the graphic elements of a brand.  Each of these elements has the ability to strengthen the UCCS brand and create a consistent visual identity.  

What does this mean for you?

Pointers:

Good work takes time. It's strategic and well thought out. Strong execution takes a strong plan. Plan as far in advance as possible.

Design should always follow content. Avoid drawing a box just for the sake of drawing a box - every visual element means something, and should serve the content in flow, readability, and meaning.

An official UCCS logo must be on everything produced.

  • One, and only one logo, representing UCCS or one if its units should be used on a piece.
  • When multiple university units are represented on a publication, the official UCCS umbrella logo must be used.
  • The logo must be in a prominent position.
  • When the UCCS logo is used with the logo of another institution or company (for example, in a partnership announcement), the university logo should appear to be the same size as that of the other logos and be placed on the publication in an equally prominent position. 
  • Use the downloadable logos – do not recreate or alter the logo.

Each piece needs to look like it came from UCCS.

  • Black and gold must be included as an integral component.
  • Blue should be used as a highlight.
  • In addition to black, gold, and blue use the approved university color palette. 
  • Photography should be real (no stock or posed photography) and single focused.

Copy is tight, concise and to the point.

  • No fluffy language.
  • Keep your audience in mind – you have seven seconds to get their attention.