In the majority of cases, the University of Birmingham’s logo (word marque and crest) should be used on its own. Sub branding is relevant for internal units within the University that are seeking to develop their own identity.
Please note that the level to which you can develop your sub-brand depends on the type of unit you are. For example, only University approved research institutes and centres, and commercial entities and visitor attractions can develop a new graphical logo, but there are other ways for units to ‘stand out’ and achieve a clear look and feel for all their communications content.
This page covers two areas. Firstly, logos, and secondly how to develop a ‘look and feel’ that is uniquely yours.
Logos
Individual units within the University can develop their identity with a lock up. This is a formal combination of the University logo with an individual official unit’s name or logo.
The type of lockup you are able to have depends on what type of unit you are.
Projects, groups, networks, departments, schools, colleges and divisions
You can have a typographical lock up. This combines your unit’s name with the University of Birmingham logo. For example:
If you would like to request a new lockup please fill in this request form and send it to your College Head of Marketing and Communications or equivalent. If you are not part of a College, email the request to the Brand team.
Once approved by the brand team, your lock up must be created by Creative Media, unless funding specifications stipulate otherwise.
Where funding requires a lockup to be created by an external supplier, this should be approved by your College Head of Marketing and Communications. Logo guidelines should be adhered to and Creative Media should be consulted for guidance.
University approved research institutes and centres, and commercial entities and visitor attractions
You can have a graphical lock up. This combines your unit’s logo with the University of Birmingham logo. For example:
If you would like to request a new logo or lockup please fill in this request form and send it to your College Head of Marketing and Communications or equivalent. If you are not part of a College, email the request to the Brand team.
Lockups, logos or visual devices must be created by Creative Media (after approval), unless funding specifications stipulate otherwise.
Where funding requires a lockup to be created by an external supplier, this should be approved by your College Head of Marketing and Communications. Logo guidelines should be adhered to and Creative Media should be consulted for guidance.
How to use the lockup
Once you have completed your lockup, you must ensure it is used in such a way that adheres to our brand guidelines on all content produced:
- Use the lockup in line with University logo guidelines (e.g. exclusion zone, dos and don’ts, minimum sizing, placement on photographs)
- Use the original files supplied. These are available from your College Marketing and Communications team
- The graphic device or typographic device must not be separated into individual elements and must not be altered or distorted.
- It is recommended that for material with external and high-profile audiences the University logo (the crested word marque) should be used, not a unit lockup. This includes printed materials and videos.
Developing an identity
Your identity is more than a logo. Units within the University can further stand out and develop their own identity through use of a graphic element and style guidelines which can give you a look and feel across all of your communication collateral (pull up banners, web banners, social media profile image etc).
Examples of this are:
The best way to begin this process is to contact your College Marketing and Communications team who will support you to develop a brief to encapsulate the look and feel and design motifs you would like to achieve.
From there, your College Marketing and Communications team will brief this to Creative Media and support you throughout the creative process.