EFFECTIVE DATE: August 02, 2019
ISSUE #: 1
PRESIDENT: Juan Sánchez Muñoz
PURPOSE
Branding is a key element of establishing an organization in the marketplace and
differentiating it from its competition. A powerful brand can establish trust and credibility,
and illicit loyalty from satisfied customers. Key elements of branding include logo, tagline,
color palette, marketing materials, letterhead, signage, messaging and other tangible
representations of a company. The University of Houston-Downtown brand and adherence
to its components and guidelines will ensure consistency and recognition of the brand.
Recognition of the greater University brand benefits each of its programs and key segments
independently and promotes a strong brand identity. This policy defines the rules and
procedures set forth by the Vice President of Advancement and University Relations, as
approved by the President, for the use of the brand by all divisions, departments, and
business units on campus.
DEFINITIONS
2.1 Public-facing marketing materials: UHD marketing collateral, including but not
limited to flyers, brochures, posters and all other print and digital promotional material
that may be seen by a public audience on or off campus.
2.2 UHD Graphic Standards: set of defined standards for physical and electronic materials
used to communicate information about UHD.
2.3 UHD apparel: clothing, including but not limited to shirts, pants, shorts, jackets,
sweatshirts, socks and hats.
2.4 Promotional merchandise: products branded with UHD logos or slogans used to
promote the institution.
2.5 Public-facing campus spaces: any spaces likely to be seen by the general public at any
UHD owned, leased, or otherwise inhabited facility. This does not include individual
faculty or staff offices.
2.6 Interior and/or exterior aesthetic design: paint, color, graphics, artwork, carpet,
finishing materials (e.g. cabinet finishes), signage, and/or furniture.
POLICY
3.1 The Office of University Relations produces and publishes an electronic Graphic Standards document that outlines branding standards for UHD marketing collateral,
apparel, promotional merchandise, and interior/exterior design of public-facing campus
spaces.
3.2 The Office of University Relations is officially designated as the university liaison for
planning interior and/or exterior aesthetic design of public-facing campus spaces.
PROCEDURES
4.1 Official UHD marketing materials, apparel, promotional merchandise, and publicfacing campus spaces must align with published UHD Graphic Standards and be
reviewed by the Office of University Relations prior to production or installation. This
does not include materials produced by or for Student Organizations, provided logo use
guidelines are followed.
4.2 Interior and/or exterior aesthetic design of public-facing facilities spaces is developed
by the office of University Relations in collaboration with the relevant academic or
administrative unit and the Office of Facilities Management.
4.3 Per PS 09.B.05, advertising, audiovisual productions, promotional materials, or any use
of the University’s marks in advertising or promotions with other entities must also be
reviewed by the Office of University Relations to assure that there is no implication of
product endorsement.
REVIEW PROCESS
Responsible Party (Reviewer): Executive Director of University Relations
Review: Every three years on or before May 1
st
.
Signed original on file in Employment Services and Operations.
POLICY HISTORY
No prior issues of this policy.
REFERENCES
PS 09.B.05, Advertising Policy