Graphics Standard and Editorial Style Guide mission and vision statement values statement introduction elevator speech tag lines university names primary logos athletic logo old logos alternative marks typography color palett e stationery and business cards stationery sample email signature powerpoint template website editorial style Issued: 8/22/2008 LSSU style guide.indd 1 8/28/2008 1:42:43 PM Content Contacts Mission and Vision Statement .............1 Vice President for University Relations Values Statement .....................................1 and Marketing .................... 906-635-2335 [email protected] Introduction .............................................1 Graphics Department ........... 906-635-2882 BRAND IDENTITY ...............................3 [email protected] Elevator Speech ......................................3 [email protected] Tag Lines ..................................................3 University Names ...................................3 Public Relations .....................906-635-2315 [email protected] GRAPHIC IDENTITY ..........................4 [email protected] Primary Logos .........................................4 Athletic Logo ...........................................5 Webmaster .............................. 906-635-2089 Old Logos .................................................5 [email protected] Alternative Marks ...................................5 Typography .............................................6 Color Palett e ............................................6 Stationery and Business Cards ............7 Stationery Sample ...................................8 Email Signature .......................................9 PowerPoint Template .............................9 Website ...................................................10 Editorial Style ........................................10 NOTE: All logos, wordmarks and images presented in this document are copyright protected by Lake Superior State University. All rights reserved. LSSU style guide.indd Sec1:1 8/28/2008 1:42:53 PM Mission and Vision Introduction Our principal mission at Lake Superior State To bett er improve the marketing of Lake Superior University is to help students develop their full State University, we have renewed our current potential. We do this by providing high-quality, branding eff orts, and have concluded that LSSU academically rigorous programs in an engaged, needs to be more easily and consistently recognized in the marketplace and should increase its personal and supportive environment. This eff ectiveness in marketing-related activities. A brand- combination nurtures potential and sets students marketing campaign must lead to diff erentiation on paths to rewarding careers and productive, of LSSU from its competitors, and must make Lake satisfying lives. We also serve the regional, Superior State University unique and memorable. national and global communities by contributing to the growth, dissemination and application of Lake Superior State University, therefore, has knowledge. redefi ned and redesigned its branding messages (logos and images) in a defi nite att empt to meet several goals: • Position LSSU distinctly and favorably in Values comparison to competitors; Our values at LSSU are to: • Connect benefi ts of the institution with identities • be honest, open, forthright, and courteous; and logos its target audiences value; • respect and value each person as an individual; • Assure fl exibility to work with diff erent audiences • accept responsibility for our own conduct; and mediums; • be diligent in carrying out our responsibilities; • Assure that the images are strong enough to make • welcome diverse perspectives and remain open to a good fi rst impression and a lasting impression. change and innovation; This new graphics and editorial guide is an eff ort • manage resources and facilities responsibly and to unify the brand image and to eliminate multi- with environmental sensitivity; brands, to clean up its brand and make it more • be vigilant about potential threats to health or usable. The aim has been to build on existing images safety; and and to update the look and feel of LSSU’s visual • work cooperatively in the interest of achieving images. Above all, the University must present itself our common mission. consistently (no half anchors or other out-dated images). The popular Laker anchor is still in place. The other logos have been altered and simplifi ed to make them cleaner and easier to employ. To sustain the drive to improve the LSSU “brand,” the University asks for the cooperation of the entire LSSU campus community in adhering to this style guide for any communications using the Lake Superior State University logo. Usage of the new logo(s) and other graphics elements supporting it will help LSSU advance a consistent, recognizable institutional image. The research that went into development of the new logo(s) was carefully analyzed and resulted in the new guidelines herein contained. By applying these guidelines without fail, by changing over to use of the new logo(s) and graphics as presented here, the institution reinforces its “brand promise” and visual image. Lake Superior State University Style Guide 1 LSSU style guide.indd 1 8/28/2008 1:42:53 PM BRAND IDENTITY “Brand identity” refers to a distinct image and Graphics plays a key role in the development look of a product or an institution. It implies a of any branding eff ort, so this guide has been “brand promise” and what customers can come developed, with usage information for fonts, to expect from the institution. Institutions must color palett e, photo style and editorial tone. The carefully manage their brands and spend a great regular use of these elements in communications deal of money to insure that their images are to various audiences will ensure consistency consistent and helpful. and reinforce critical messages, aiding in the eff ort to brand the institution as unique from its A “tag line” is a short descriptive statement competitors. intended to help sell the institution. With Lake Superior State University’s taglines “Redefi ning This guide will evolve as the brand initiative the Classroom” and “Believe in Blue,” the goal is is developed. It will be posted on the LSSU to communicate the institution’s identity, which web page and will be updated fi rst there. If refers to images in the minds of internal and you are working on a project that includes any external audiences. aspect not covered in this guide, please contact the Vice President for University Relations Within the brand identity are the brand and Marketing or the Director of Graphics for att ributes and promises, as well as the graphics assistance or clarifi cation. means in which the institution represents itself. The messages and the graphics create a unique Your diligence in applying the initiative to all set of associations for Lake Superior State projects is appreciated. All of us stand to benefi t University and the “Redefi ning the Classroom” when the institution’s image is positive and and “Believe in Blue” initiatives. consistent. Lake Superior State University Style Guide 2 LSSU style guide.indd 2 8/28/2008 1:42:53 PM Elevator Speech University Names An elevator speech provides internal audiences “Lake Superior State University” is the with a short, precise, carefully-planned and easily- University’s offi cial name and should be used remembered overview of Lake Superior State whenever possible. “LSSU” is also acceptable. University. It strives to deliver the brand att ributes and support the “Redefi ning the Classroom” “Lake State” and “Lake Superior” may be used initiative. on apparel sold at the University bookstore and by academic departments and athletics Lake Superior State University is a small, teams on casual clothing, T-shirts, sweatshirts, friendly institution emphasizing undergraduate coff ee mugs, bumper stickers, key chains, and selected graduate programs. We are pens, pencils, gift items and those items aimed located in Sault Ste. Marie, in the Eastern Upper at sale to, and use by, the general public, Peninsula of Michigan, on the Canadian border. students, alumni, parents and supporters of Its principal mission is to help students develop the institution. This also includes all vendors to their full potential by providing high-quality, licensed to reproduce LSSU logos, marks and academically-rigorous programs in an engaged, other identifying words controlled by the personal and supportive environment. LSSU’s University. These names may not be used on faculty and staff nurture potential and set any offi cial institutional, athletic uniforms, or students on paths to rewarding careers and offi cial University apparel although both may be productive lives. used on athletics’ “warm-up” or practice gear. Neither of these names should be used on any business cards, lett erhead, PowerPoint or other Tag Lines offi cial use in representation of Lake Superior State University. Tag lines are short statements intended to convey a memorable message. They are used in association with academics and the institution in general, in advertising created by academic departments, in academic and institutional news releases, on web pages and in publications and documents pertaining to academic departments. LSSU currently uses the following tag lines for academic and institutional marketing. “Redefi ning the Classroom” “Grab Hold of Your Future” The following tag line can be used only by the Department of Athletics and athletics teams when advertising, either electronically