Campus spaces should feel connected to our brand to create a strong sense of place. Leverage Iowa’s black-and-gold color palette, incorporate graphic elements, or display the university logo with pride to create inspired spaces that generate excitement and build affinity.
Why it matters
- Creates a cohesive and welcoming experience for first-time visitors, current students, parents, faculty, and staff.
- Presents information clearly and consistently to establish a sense of place and make navigating campus easier.
- Builds stronger, long-lasting brand affinity for visitors and students who spend a relatively brief time on campus for their academic careers before graduating to become alumni.
Guidelines and considerations
When an individual enters a physical space, it should immediately look and feel like the University of Iowa, whether achieved through paint, fabrics, furniture, or the materials used in a room. All logos and design assets must be used in accordance with brand guidelines.
Make an impact with the block IOWA logo
The block IOWA logo can be added to existing spaces to provide a strong visual connection to the brand. Use in accordance with logo guidelines.
Balance accents with neutrals
Permanent materials and paint selections should utilize neutral tones (blacks, grays, greige, white) to compliment our primary color palette. Leverage black and gold for accent walls, furniture, textiles, and décor.
Plan for the future
Display campus photography and brand patterns using temporary applications such as vinyl, or painted and dimensional graphics that can change as trends evolve.
Keep it functional
Select furniture and fixtures that are simple, functional, and match the overall architecture of the building.
Use brand fonts
Use brand fonts to create bold typographic messages with temporary applications such as vinyl wall graphics. The Office of Strategic Communication can provide guidance on displaying unit identification.
Consider branded displays
Rotate informational displays or add pop-up banners to reinforce branding in otherwise neutral spaces.
Planning a new space or updating an existing one?
Facilities Management has a Design and Construction team dedicated to space planning and will ensure building standards are met for your project. Renovation or installation efforts require approval, and requests should be initiated through the FM@YourService portal. Units are responsible for providing or sourcing professional graphic design. The Office of Strategic Communication can provide consultation along the way for any brand implementation questions or vendor recommendations.
Campus signage and wayfinding
Signage and wayfinding is a highly visible expression of the Iowa brand and enhances the experience of our visitors, students, faculty, and staff.
Exterior signage
All exterior university building signage is maintained by Facilities Management. Signage includes consistent placement of building identification and the university logo to make navigating campus easy. All official building signage and wayfinding must be coordinated and approved by Facilities Management.
Interior signage
From classroom and office identification to building directories, interior building signage is critical for campus wayfinding. Facilities Management coordinates and maintains interior building signage to ensure consistency is achieved and standards are met across fabrication and installation.
Digital signage
A digital signage service is available for units to share information and promote university-sponsored programming and messaging that is on brand and consistent from sign to sign. Individual units manage signage systems located in their facilities. Branded digital event templates make it easy to create content for display. The digital signage service is provided by the Office of Strategic Communication in cooperation with Information Technology Services and other campus partners.
Pole banners
Pole banners on or around campus are used to promote the Iowa brand and establish a sense of place. Banners can also serve as a temporary platform to promote events, activities, or programming that supports the institutional mission. All requests to install pole banners on- and off-campus require approval by the Office of Strategic Communication and Facilities Management.
Branded campus spaces
Gallery of campus spaces
