Other Guidelines
Business cards | Environmental design usage | Interior and exterior signage guidelines | Advertisements and endorsements
Business cards: administrative units and brand extensions
Administrative units and research centers
The official university logo appears at the top left of the business card as shown. Note that no additional unit logotype is used in conjunction with the university logo in these instances.
Specific areas (i.e., office, center, or department names) should appear in 8 pt. Arial bold with 9.6 pt. leading above the building address and other contact information printed in 7.5 pt. Arial regular with 9 pt. leading as shown. When space permits, keep the address on one line. Virginia is abbreviated in zip code format. Telephone and fax numbers, e-mail addresses, and Web URLs follow. The university’s general URL—www.vt.edu— or department-specific URLs may be included if desired.
A secondary business card version is available for people whose names are too long to fit the preferred format. Requests for exceptions should be directed to identity@vt.edu or 540/231-8639.
Colleges and other brand extensions
In keeping with the letterhead treatment, business cards for colleges, the Graduate School, and other brand extensions combine official college or entity logotype with the university’s logo. College and other brand extension logotype appears on a single line on cards. Alterations or substitutions are not permitted.
Formatting specifications and design options are otherwise consistent with the administrative business cards.
Commercial printing
In the case of one-color printing, business cards are printed in black ink on 100 lb. cover, Classic Crest, solar white, smooth. The approved maroon, PMS 208, can be substituted for black.
The preferred business card, however, features the shield in maroon with all other elements appearing in black as shown.
To order, please contact University Printing Services at printing@vt.edu or 540/231-6701.
Environmental design usage
Based on the university’s brand architecture, all university-level environmental designs and displays should prominently include the university identity and Invent the Future tagline.
Displays
The university brand logo and tagline is used prominently on displays for major conferences and installations. In most instances, the identity should appear in the banner or lead panel of the display.
Podium signage
The university identity is prominently displayed on podiums for major press conferences, convocations, symposiums, and other major presentations (example at right). For assistance with displays and podium signage, please contact identity@vt.edu or 540/231-9054.
Name tags
For assistance with permanent employee and volunteer name tags, contact the Physical Plant Sign Shop at 540/231-9913.
Templates for name tags used in conferences, workshops, and other events are available for download.
Interior and exterior signage guidelines
All major interior and exterior directional and identifying signage should include university identifiers (see examples below). In most instances, this does not include the Invent the Future tagline.
To update existing signage, contact The Physical Plant Sign Shop at 540/231-9913.
Questions concerning signage use should be directed to the Office of the University Architect at laleigh@vt.edu or 540/231-4679.
Advertisements and endorsements
Advertising
Any display advertising that will include graphic representation of the university and/or will use university trademarks must be approved by University Relations to ensure compliance with identity standards and brand messaging. Contact university.marketing@vt.edu or 540/231-4168.
Endorsements
Although the Athletics Department and the university have entered into contractual endorsements of various businesses and services, no college or other unit of the university may endorse any product or service on behalf of the university or on behalf of a particular college or unit.
