Graphic Identity 
Branding the University of New Hampshire
What makes our university, the University of New Hampshire, distinctive and special?
The higher education marketplace is, after all, a very crowded place, with
some 2,300 baccalaureate granting colleges and universities in the United
States. Many institutions boast
attractive campus settings and academic programs of distinction. All compete
intensely for students, faculty, staff, research funding, and both public
and private financial support.
So how do we excel? What is our unique set of traits and standards that makes
UNH stand apart from the small, New England liberal arts colleges and the
large research universities whose divergent strengths we unite into a single
distinctive entity?
To ask these questions is really to ask, “Who are we?” Knowing the answer
and communicating it in our work are vital to our survival and prosperity.
University Communications and Marketing (UCM) is the University’s official
storyteller. UCM’s three offices—Editorial and Creative
Services (ECS), Media
Relations (MR), and Presidential Events
and Programs (PEP)—tell the University’s
distinctive story of discovery through myriad communications, both traditional
and leading edge, as well as through special events and programs.
Institutional identity
The University’s academic plan provides
a clear vision of our identity:
The University of New Hampshire is distinguished by its commitment to high
quality undergraduate education, targeted graduate programs of distinction,
our relatively small size, our location in a beautiful and culturally rich
part of rural New England, our commitment to serving the public good, and
our emergence as a significant research institution.
The dedication of our faculty to the highest standards infuses learning at
UNH with the excitement of discovery and provides extensive opportunities
for students to engage in meaningful research and public service.
At the University of New Hampshire, we are all about “the excitement of discovery.”
It’s the constant that ties together everything we do. What does discovery
in action look like? Here are examples:
- UNH merged academic and student services into one office to broaden educational
opportunities for undergraduates;
- UNH’s master plan will ensure that future academic, residential, and recreational
needs are met while preserving the campus’ distinctive character;
- UNH funded research exceeded $100 million in 2005; participation in the
2004 undergraduate research conference increased 40 percent;
- UNH outreach programs foster quality of life on New Hampshire’s Seacoast, throughout the state, and beyond.
Now what can each of us do to communicate discovery in action?
Building the brand
One-of-a-kind
A departmental Web page; a commencement T-shirt; an alumni newsletter; a
60-second video clip; a business card; a poster; an invitation. Everything
we produce communicates something about who we are.
Graphic standards and guidelines can link our many offices and programs into
an integrated whole. And, that whole is stronger and more memorable than
any of its parts. This booklet is a guide to communicating the one-of-a-kind
place called UNH.
From brand to graphic identity
This section of the guide concerns itself with the essential building blocks of our graphic identity: including our copyrighted wordmark, our logo, the University seal, and other elements of our graphic identity. Anchoring individual expression in these shared elements is so important that we have also provided specific examples of what to do—and what not to do.
If you have questions about applying our graphic identity to your own projects,
please call the Office of Editorial and Creative Services (ECS) at (603)
862-1463 or visit www.unh.edu/creative.
Communication tools
University Communications and Marketing provides campus-wide leadership and resources to help strengthen the University’s reputation, our brand, both locally and nationally.
Editorial and Creative Services has produced a series of communication tools—including this guide. We have also produced a Web development tool kit. Staff from ECS and other offices regularly offer training workshops for Web administrators throughout campus.
Media Relations works to raise the visibility of the University nationally,
regionally, and statewide through proactive media outreach. MR staff work
proactively to identify key reporters and media outlets to tell our story
of discovery.
If you have a story you would like to share with media, locally or nationally,
call MR at (603) 862-0045 or visit www.unh.edu/news.
Presidential Events and Programs (PEP) brings life to the University’s varied
stories through strategic events and programs, from University Day and legislative
visits, to Convocation and Commencement. PEP staff are available as a resource
to advise and assist as you plan for events.
For event support, call PEP at (603) 862-1461
or visit www.unh.edu/presidentialevents.