Design Guidelines for Marketing Materials

Use the Correct College Logo

• Use the official versions from the college brand page.
• Don’t stretch, recolor, or modify the logo.
• Only use department-specific logos if officially provided.
• To request a subunit logo for your department, visit the Subunit Logos webpage.

 

Use the College Brand Colors Wisely

• Stick to the approved college color palette.
• Avoid using too many colors or colors that clash.

Be Mindful of Contrast

• Use high contrast between background and text to ensure readability (e.g., black text on a white background).
• Avoid dark backgrounds with white text—they’re harder to read, especially when printed.
• Use a Contrast Checker to ensure accessibility.

Limit Fonts

• Stick to one or two easy-to-read fonts.
• Sans-serif fonts (like Libre Franklin) are best for legibility.

Avoid All Caps for Body Text

• ALL CAPS is harder to read in large blocks.
• Use sentence or title case for easier scanning.

Use White Space

• Don’t overcrowd the flyer.
• Leave space around text and images to improve readability.

 

Keep It Short & Scannable

• Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and clear headings.
• Avoid large blocks of text.

Always Include a Contact or Web Link

• Make sure people know where to go for more information. Include a URL or email address.

Avoid Using “Click Here”

• Instead, hyperlink meaningful text (e.g., “View the Schedule” instead of “Click Here”).

 

To maintain consistency and professionalism across campus materials, use the standard footer—logo on the left, website URL on the right. 

Choose the version with the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) statement for materials shared externally, or the version without EEO for internal use.

Standard Footer:

 Sample with the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement:

 

To request a flyer footer graphic to place on your flyer, contact [email protected].

 

Export Flyers as PDFs – Not Just JPEGs

• PDFs are easier to read by screen readers and preserve text quality.
• Avoid flattened JPG-only flyers.

Add the Required Accommodations Notice

• For any in-person event, include: If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, or have questions about the physical access provided, please email [email protected] as soon as possible.

Add the EEO Statement for External Flyers

• If you’re sharing your flyer outside campus, please include the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) statement. Internal flyers do not require the EEO statement.

 

Spellcheck and Proofread

• Double-check for typos, grammar issues, and incorrect dates or times.

Use High-Quality Images

• Avoid pixelated or stretched images. Use original photos or licensed graphics.

Avoid QR Codes Without Context

• If using a QR code, also include a short URL nearby as a backup or for those who cannot scan a QR code with their phone.