Graphic Standards

The University Web templates incorporate all graphic elements required by policy and follow all online standards.

Wordmark

The University wordmark is the official logo and must appear on all electronic University publications. Because it is incorporated in the Web template header, using the template takes care of this requirement and the wordmark should not* appear anywhere else on a site [see unit logos for more information].

* Note: The wordmark may be used within a Web page when combined with the Driven to Discover campaign. See the question and answer templates on the Brand Guidelines site for more information.

Minimum size and buffer space

The Web templates incorporate the wordmark at its minimum size for use on electronic publications—220 pixels wide. Standard buffer space requirements around the wordmark have been adjusted for Web template use.

Placement

University Web sites must have the wordmark at the top of their pages to comply with University policy and maintain consistency and recognition as a University site. Placement of the wordmark at the bottom of a Web page instead of the top is a violation of University Web publishing policy.

Use of the templates ensures proper placement of the wordmark and promotes a consistency throughout University sites that helps visitors be sure they are still on a U of M site as they move about our Web space.

Color

For Web, always use the wordmark included with the template downloads—a white wordmark on maroon background. Never change the color of the wordmark, the background color, or create alternate versions of the template header.

Block M

The block M graphic has been updated since the last release of the Web templates. The M is a solid, flat gold (vs the "extruded M" from past templates), and the maroon background has been changed to #7A0019 (the maroon background for the wordmark has also changed to this color). The size and file name of the M graphic have not changed, making it easier to update any current sites with the new graphic.

Use the block M in addition to the wordmark, not as a substitute for it (this excludes student organizations, which may not use the wordmark).

Use of the block M in other locations on Web pages should follow the guidelines below.

Minimum size and buffer space

The Web templates incorporate the block M at its minimum size for use in electronic publications—37 pixels wide. Standard buffer space requirements around the block M have been adjusted for Web template use.

Placement

In the Web templates, the block M must be on the left side of the wordmark. See Accessibility for an explanation of the "skip to main content" link associated with the block M.

Color

For Web, always use the block M included with the template downloads—a gold M on maroon background. Never change the color of the M, the background color, or create alternate versions of the template header.

Block M as a Graphic Element

University Relations must approve any electronic design that uses the block M as a graphic design element on a Web page. This includes designs that:

• Use the block M in a pattern.
• Crop, screen or otherwise alter the logo.

Driven to Discover

A new feature in the Web template header, Driven to Discover has been added to reinforce the University's initiative to convey the benefits of a public research university to the state and help the U reach its goal of becoming one of the top three public research universities in the world. The graphic should be used 'as is' in the template header. The graphic size, position, and use of the service mark (SM) have all been balanced for use according to University graphic standards.

Driven to Discover must always be combined with the wordmark. Use for electronic publications other than Web should follow the guidelines on the Brand Guidelines site. Driven to Discover and wordmark combinations are available on the Images Library.

Unit logos

Placement of a unit logo on a Web site will depend on the design, but should follow these rules based on use of the templates:

• Unit logos that have been designed to incorporate the wordmark should have the wordmark removed from their unit logo/wordmark combination for online use. The wordmark should appear in the template header only—do not repeat the wordmark.
• Unit logos may not be incorporated into the template header.
• Unit logos may be incorporated into the graphic header or serve as a graphic link back to your home page and be positioned where your unit home link would typically go in the left navigation. See these examples:
• Unit name on a home page in left navigation
• Unit name on a secondary page in left navigation
• Unit name on a home page in graphic header
• Unit name on a secondary page in graphic header

Updating made easy

Do your Web pages still have the extruded block M and old wordmark with blurry letters?

Updating is easy. Grab the wordmark and block M graphics from this page and replace your old graphics. These graphics are the same size as the originals, so updating is easy!