Brand Identity
The Penn brand is designed to create a cohesive visual experience for all Schools, Divisions, Departments, and Centers.
Brand is the story you’re telling to engage with your audience, from tangible items like the name, logo, and website to intangible components that help build trust and connections. Brand is not a static process; it constantly grows and adapts.
University Life Brand Alignment Initiative
We have realigned our visual identity to clearly demonstrate our relationship to the University. This process includes retiring our longer divisional name, The Division of the Vice Provost for University Life and the related acronym, VPUL. Going forward, we will be known as University Life at Penn or simply University Life. Our name will quickly and directly convey the broad and deep scope of our mission. We also take this time to bring our divisional and department logos into partnership with the updated Penn Style Guide.
Our brand alignment presentation takes a deep dive into how design decisions affect all aspects of our brand story. We have taken this presentation on the road and shared with our campus partners in an effort to be transparent in our process and strategy. If you would like us to present this to your team, please contact Marjan Osman Gartland, Director of Design Services.
Promotional Merchandise Guidelines
FOR STAFF
The promotional merchandise brand guidelines is to help University Life departments create effective swag which develops a visual cohesive relationship between the University and our departments.
Student Brand Guidelines
FOR STUDENTS
The student style guide is to help new and existing student organizations create authentic, message-driven brand identities by incorporating the spirit of the Penn brand without violating University trademarks.
Supplier Choice and Merchandise
Licensed suppliers are the only companies allowed to produce Penn merchandise (apparel or other swag).
If the total purchasing order does not exceed 10k, use any supplier (contracted or approved) in the Penn system. If the total purchasing order does exceed 10k, use a contracted supplier, otherwise, the project must go out to bid.
Additional Brand Assets
University Life brand assets can be accessed through Penn + Box folders. Most are open to all members of our Penn community, unless otherwise stated.
- Download divisional assets such as templates, tutorials/presentations, and event graphics (accessible by directors only).
- Download department-specific event, annual report, and staff photos (accessible by department staff only).
- To represent the University Life brand, use authentic, dynamic photographs. Use this link to pull from a pool of approved photographs.
University Life Video Meeting Backgrounds
In-House Design Services
Log onto: https://www.vpul.upenn.edu/secure/calendar/manage/
To request access please email Steve McCann at smccann@upenn.edu
Lead time: 2 months
Brand Strategy, Visual Identity, Digital Design, Print Design (logos, flyers, posters, brochures, banners)
Lead time: 3 months
Social media targeted videos (10-15 seconds) and/or longer event videos (3-5 minutes)
Use this video form link to start a project.
Lead time: 2 weeks
Staff photos, event photos, event documentation
Equipment rentals available
Lead time: 2 weeks
Live-streaming events through department’s social media platform
Equipment rentals available
Lead time: 2 weeks
Limited (free) in-house printing for event promotion
Ten standard (11 x 17″) posters or
One oversize (18 x 24″) poster or
One standard (36″ width) banner
Projects requiring folding or mass production will be outsourced to a third-party supplier