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Creating and using on-brand graphics

An on-brand graphic may be designed for special events, camps or other short-term brand promotion initiatives such as podcasts, video series or strategic plans, but must be accompanied by a university or unit lockup.

Follow the guidelines:

  • Use brand colors
  • Have limited stylized graphics to use as one-time cover art.
  • On subsequent reference, limit name to a straightforward font.
  • Title must be secondary to the SD logo lockup in size and placement on subsequent references.
  • May incorporate other university brand elements but not a university logo.
  • Must use a university or unit lockup on the marketing material and informal apparel (T-shirts, sweatshirts). They do not need to be in the same imprint area.
  • On-brand graphics may not be used on promotional items or merchandise; the standard university or unit lockup must be used. The exception would be anniversary graphics that may be used on limited items during the anniversary year with UMC approval.
  • University colors or neutral shades (white, black, tan, etc.) must be used for all apparel. Fashion colors are not allowed.
  • All graphics must be approved by UMC. It is recommended to work with a UMC graphic designer to develop on-brand graphics.

Examples

Any time the Meet State graphic is used, an official lockup must be present. The lockup does not need to be in the same imprint area.

Branded Graphic for Meet State
Branded Graphic
Unit lockup for Admissions Office
Include a Logo (University or Unit Lockup)

Brochure meet state example
Brochure

Brochure

Since a brochure is multiple pages, the Meet State graphic may be on the front cover and the university lockup on the back cover.

 


Poster meet state example
Poster

Poster

A poster is a single-sided marketing piece. The Meet State graphic could go at the top of the poster and the university lockup at the bottom.

 


Social Media post example
Social Media Post

Social Media Post

Since the university’s social media pages follow SDSU’s social media guidelines, their post images do not need to include a university lockup because the social avatar serves as the lockup.


Apparel

A university or unit lockup is required on all informal apparel. In the event only the graphic or lockup can fit, the lockup takes precedence.

T-shirt graphic examples
Apparel

Cover art and subsequent references

An on-brand graphic may be used as cover art on multipage pieces. On subsequent reference, the name should be limited to a straightforward font.

The title must be secondary to the SD logo lockup in size and placement on subsequent references.

Cover art the yellow and blue podcast examples
Cover art and subsequent references