Tips for Design Approvals

Introduction

As you follow this guide, you’ll avoid the common back-and-forth delays that often occur during UMAC approvals, helping you move more quickly toward an officially approved graphic.

This guide highlights frequent issues in the approval process and offers tips to help you get ahead. Each section includes a quick-reference bullet list to simplify your workflow.

Remember: Always submit all created graphics and designs through UMAC approvals!

College Titles

If you're including the college title, always use either an approved version of the logo or plain text—nothing else. Adding creative treatments or decorative elements to the college name turns it into a custom “logo,” which will almost certainly be denied.

To stay on the safe side, don’t combine the college title with other names, logos, stamps, or graphics.

Another common reason for denials is altering the logo or straying from its usage standards. Never change the colors, stretch, or add effects to the logo. Stick to the official guidelines to ensure a smooth approval process.

  • Use only approved logos (request one here)
  • Avoid creative treatment or design with logo or name of college
  • Keep the background a plain color that doesn’t wash out the logo’s appearance (don’t put it in front of or over top of other designs, even background designs)
  • Use the logo as is—no reshaping or recoloring · Make sure there’s plenty of space around the logo (refer to the area of isolation)
  • Ensure the logo isn’t too small—it must be large enough to clearly and easily see

Event/Program Wordmarks and Logos

Events, programs, and series should generally avoid creating logos. Instead, they may use wordmarks—graphics that act like a temporary “stamp” to represent a specific event or series.

To stay within guidelines, the wordmark must have a limited shelf life. This means including details like the year, a theme, or a unique name that clearly ties it to a specific moment in time.

Ask yourself: “Can I reuse this graphic next year without any changes?” If the answer is “yes,” it probably won’t be approved.

  • Ensure graphics for a series, event, etc. is only temporary in use (within a year)
  • Include a year or unique name to the graphic
  • Use standard approved colors—avoid red

Logos for Partners, Sponsors, Supporters

If your graphic includes a partner, sponsor, or supporter’s logo—whether on posters, flyers, or other materials, you must obtain written permission from an authorized representative of that organization. Be sure to include that permission when submitting your design for UMAC approval.

Acceptable forms of written permission include a saved email from the representative, a signed letter, or any other written communication that clearly grants usage rights. You can attach these files—just like you would an image—when submitting your approval request.

  • Always get written permission to use partner, sponsor, supporter logos
  • Obtain written permission for each logo used
  • Attach the written permission to the approval submission

Use Approved Colors & Images

While you're not restricted to only using the colors in the USU Brand Toolkit’s color palette, those options provide a safe, always-approved range for your designs. If you choose colors outside of that palette, be cautious—avoid using red or anything too close to it. The “watermelon” color is included in the palette guide specifically as an approved alternative that stays within brand standards.

Also, if your design includes images you didn’t create yourself, make sure you have permission to use them. This helps avoid copyright issues and ensures your submission can be approved without delays.

  • Using colors in the color palette guide is always safe
  • Avoid using shades of red
  • Only use images you created, or obtain permission to use them 

Include the Image Use

Attaching an image to your approval request might seem straightforward, but it’s not always clear to the approver how that image will be used. If the filename doesn’t clearly indicate its purpose, make sure to include that information in the comments or details section of your submission.

For example, simply labeling a file “Facebook” can be vague. Instead, use something more specific like “Facebook Post” or “Facebook Event Listing” to avoid confusion and speed up the approval process.

  • Include your use—what and where
  • Be specific as to how you will be using the graphic (filename or details)

When to Use the College Logo

There’s sometimes debate about when to include the college logo in your designs—but in most cases, the answer is simple: you do. Situations where a logo isn’t needed are rare, so rather than outlining every exception, we’ll go straight to a clear breakdown. The following section will explain when a full college logo is required, when just the U State icon is appropriate, and when no logo is necessary at all.

  • Logo required: any publicly distributed graphic for promotion, announcement, communication, PR, or marketing. This includes posters, flyers, postcards, etc.
  • Logo required: any material, internal or external, that’s distributed beyond your department. If you are distributing materials across the college or at an event including more than your department, especially with the community, it may represent the college or university and should include branding considerations. This would mean it requires a logo and should go through standard UMAC approvals. This could include presentations, certificates, awards, programs, etc.
  • Logo required: digital banners, ads, or flyers for promotion, communication, announcements, or marketing in online listings and spaces, including TV monitors, third party sites, etc.
  • Logo not required: Social media accounts.
  • Logo not required: Small swag items—however, a U mark or the college/university name should be included in plain font if there is room.