Brand FAQs

What formats are templates available in?

Currently, templates are available in Word (for documents and posters) and PowerPoint (for presentations). Additional formats (including, for example, Keynote and Pages) may be developed in the future. If you have a specific request on this matter, please email the the Marketing Services team

How often are the brand guidelines updated?

There are monthly brand review meetings where any issues and new developments are discussed. As a result of these meetings, the brand guidelines are updated on a rolling basis, with the latest version always published to these pages. Please check back regularly to ensure that you are working with the latest version of the document.

The templates seems quite plain - how can I make sure that my message really stands out?

Our visual identity provides a consistent theme to support our marketing materials and communications, without overshadowing the content or message we're communicating. That's why the templates are designed to allow imagery and content to take centre stage. Please refer to section seven of the brand guidelines document, where you'll find details of our photography style, together with useful hints and tips for commissioning or selecting appropriate imagery. There’s also a searchable image library available online for Lancaster staff – for access, please email the the Marketing Services team.

Are there any plans for a standard email signature template?

Yes, this is definitely on the to-do list, but we have not yet started looking at this from a University-wide viewpoint.  Given the level of diversity across the University, a ‘one size fits all’ approach is not practical, so we will be aiming for broad guidelines which can be adapted for individual department or faculty use. Many staff already use email signatures which are standard within their own departments or faculties – this is a good way to show some consistency in our email communications.  Please refer to the Communications Toolkit over the coming months for updates.

Is it OK to produce marketing and communications collateral which is outside of the guidelines?

All marketing and communications materials should adhere to the guidelines detailed in the Communications Toolkit.  The guidelines have been produced to aid consistency in appearance and message so that the University presents a consistent and professional appearance to the world. They also make it easier (and cheaper) for agencies to produce work for the University.  By keeping things consistent it is easier for any external party to see a piece of collateral and know immediately that it’s from Lancaster. Used internally, consistency in appearance helps to reinforce our sense of identity and collegiality without displaying the University logo on everything.

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