University of Iowa banners displayed on and adjacent to campus are an important extension of our environmental branding efforts, branding physical locations both on and off campus, and enhancing the visual identity to create a cohesive sense of community.
Types of banner installations
Institutional banners
Institutional banners prominently display our most recognizable brand identifiers, including the logos of University of Iowa, University of Iowa Athletics, and University of Iowa Health Care. These banners are designed for long-term or permanent display and will be featured consistently across the entire campus and in select off-campus locations.
Event/celebration banners
Event banners are specific to a single event or celebration (e.g., a unit anniversary) and will primarily be limited to installation on Madison Street. The duration of the installation depends on a review of the proposed artwork, as well as the communication and marketing plan that supports the event.
Banner requests and review process
All banner installation requests, regardless of content or location, must be submitted for review at least 5 weeks prior to the desired installation date.
Review process
The Office of Strategic Communication, in partnership with Facilities Management, is responsible for the review and approval of all on- and off-campus banner requests. Banner requests will be reviewed for the artwork, content/message, location(s), and duration of display. Some requests may require consultation with and/or approval by the Campus Planning Committee.
Installation and removal
The Office of Strategic Communication will partner with Facilities Management—and, where necessary, the City of Iowa City, City of Coralville, or the Iowa City Downtown Association—on installation, removal, and maintenance.
Production and installation costs
Units are responsible for the cost of producing banners and all charges for their installation, removal, and maintenance. To obtain an estimate of expenses, contact OSC.
Ordering
In order to ensure consistency in quality, Britten, Inc. is the preferred vendor for the production of all banners. You may email them at TSchmitt@britteninc.com or call 231-995-8657 to place an order.
Event/celebration banner artwork guidelines
Follow brand guidelines
- Use university brand colors, fonts, and design elements.
- Use a black background for banner designs to ensure they complement the existing gold banners featuring the block IOWA logo.
- Follow unique campus graphic guidelines to develop event and milestone artwork.
Keep it simple and legible
- Most banners will be read from a distance and should be quickly readable for people passing by in vehicles. Keep text to a minimum and scale design elements larger.
- Avoid unnecessary elements that add clutter or take away from your message.
Unit identification
- Ensure the sponsoring unit name is included to clarify the relationship with the milestone or anniversary.
- Use plain text rather than lockups, as the block IOWA logo will appear on the adjacent banner.
Ensure high-quality design
- Involve a designer with knowledge of brand standards and experience in preparing files for production.
- A list of preferred vendors is available for units without a professional designer.
Event/Celebration Banner Specifications
- Location: Madison St. between Burlington St. and Washington St.
- Size: 67" x 29"
- Material: 22 ounce block out vinyl double-sided (no wind holes/slats)
- Fabrication: Pole pockets – 3" top, 3" bottom, #2 Grommets Left Side of Side 1, Above and Below Pocket
Review specifications for other locations.