Branding Policies and Guidelines
The purpose of our brand guidelines is simple – to tell the world how Gies College of Business would like to be perceived. As a new brand, having a consistent look, feel, and set of messages is essential to creating a consistent brand experience and reinforcing our promise of purpose.
These guidelines also keep us aligned with the campus branding guidelines, and they're what we'll follow as we evaluate the project briefs you submit. These may evolve. MarCom will help to ensure that you're aligned with current protocols and expectations.
Wordmark usage
The Gies Business wordmark should appear on everything – banners, flyers, posters, nametags, tablecloths, newsletters, web pages, clothing, lapel pins, promotional materials, etc. To ensure correct implementation, MarCom must approve any use of the wordmark.
You can find approved templates for business cards, email signatures, PowerPoints, etc., in this Box folder. Please do not copy the logo from the letterhead template or the website.
External printed materials
To ensure materials are consistent and meet brand standards, MarCom must create any materials that promote Gies College of Business programs, degrees, units, centers, or events. Don't create any materials that will be used outside of your department or distributed to anyone who's not a Gies College of Business employee.
Please consult your team lead for any externally focused print material needs, and submit a project brief once they are discussed.
Note that the College requires all external materials to be reviewed
and approved by MarCom to ensure compliance with our brand
messages and visual identity.
Internal materials
If you have internal documents (for staff/faculty use only) that you wish for us to review or edit, we'll be happy to do so. Please submit them along with the date needed. Allow three to five working days for turnaround, depending on the length and complexity of the document. Remember, students are NOT an internal audience. Materials distributed to students must be created by MarCom.
Promotional items/wearables
If you need to create promotional items or wearables, you must work with MarCom. Use of the Block I and the Gies College of Business wordmark requires approval through the MarCom office and may additionally require approval from the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. Your items may not use the Block I without the College name, and all items must have the College wordmark on them. Your unit's name can't appear on promotional or wearable items. See merchandise policies for more information.
MarCom will obtain all necessary approvals, and we'll work with
approved vendors on promotional/wearable projects. Any items you give away (to staff or as a promotion) or sell to staff at cost don't
incur royalty fees. Any item you sell above the cost of the
production (even as a fundraiser) will incur royalty costs. Note that
these guidelines include RSOs, alumni associations, and other affiliated
groups.
Websites
Your College unit or department must identify a web liaison within the unit to continuously work with your MarCom team lead
to maintain web content standards. This includes anything regarding the
site structure, code, design, and copy. Our strategic priorities – based
on adherence to brand standards, site performance, and user
research – will be considered before we add or change content on the
website.
Photography
If you'd like MarCom to assist with photos, please consult your
MarCom team lead well in advance of the event. Your MarCom team lead
will help you determine if photos are needed and will help you plan
accordingly. We can
help stage the photos, but your unit will be responsible for covering
the cost, providing the appropriate setting, recruiting
faculty/staff/student participation, and obtaining photography releases from each participant.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact marcom@business.illinois.edu.