Signage
Branded signage conveys our identity, promotes brand awareness, communicates key messages and information, and helps people navigate to and identify our buildings. Wayfinding systems help our students, faculty, staff, and visitors find their way in and around our buildings.
Colors and Typography
UTHealth Houston brand colors should be the only colors used in UTHealth Houston signage. For information on matching colors in paint, vinyl, and other substrates, please contact the Office of Public Affairs.
All exterior and interior signage must use the UTHealth Houston typefaces, Adobe Garamond and Univers, for consistency in appearance and to support our brand identity. Avenir is an acceptable alternate if Univers is unavailable. Type size should be consistent to established standards for existing signs. Slight variance may occur due to physical size constraint or other factors.
Exterior Signage
Exterior signage includes building identification, awnings, exterior doors, Texas Medical Center (TMC) monument pylon signs, and other supporting exterior building identification signage. All exterior branded building identification and wayfinding signage must be initiated, planned, and executed with the Office of Facilities, Planning, and Engineering, with additional approvals from the Office of Public Affairs. When purchasing or ordering signage, all procurement guidelines must be followed.
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Branded building signage
Building identification
All UTHealth Houston buildings should be clearly identified as part of the university. The components of the UTHealth Houston logo should be visible and lighted in at least one location on the building’s exterior. The school or building name should also be clearly signed and fabricated in UTHealth Houston typefaces and colors. For named schools (Cizik School of Nursing, McGovern Medical School), the tapestry and UTHealth Houston portion of the logo can be used without the full university name (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston), contingent upon the full logo and name being used in other exterior building signage applications, such as exterior door vinyl signage, TMC monument pylon signs, and other supporting exterior building identification signage.
Awnings
Several of our UTHealth Houston buildings have canopy awnings on or in close proximity to the building exterior. Canopy awnings should always display the UTHealth Houston logo clearly and accurately without modification, in white (reverse). If a modification is necessary, the Office of Public Affairs must be consulted and will provide approved artwork. Only official, primary brand colors may be used for awning material colors (University Orange, University Gray, or University Blue). For named schools, the tapestry and UTHealth Houston portion of the logo can be used without the full university name (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston), but only if the space does not easily accommodate the exclusion.
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TMC-mandated signage
Institution identification signs
Every UTHealth Houston building located within the defined boundaries of the Texas Medical Center is subject to TMC signage guidelines. These guidelines mandate that each of our buildings, subject to TMC standards, has a street-level monument pylon sign situated near the building, identifying the TMC, parent institution, and building/school name. Our logo should appear at the top in black, per TMC fabrication standards. All schools, including named schools, may be listed below the logo without the full university name (e.g., Cizik School of Nursing, McGovern Medical School, School of Dentistry).
TMC vehicular directional signs and numbered entrance markers
The UTHealth Houston name should be listed accurately and clearly on all TMC wayfinding signage with UTHealth Houston included in the name, when at all possible. If there is not enough physical space on the sign to include UTHealth Houston, the Office of Public Affairs should be consulted to explore alternatives. All TMC signage bearing the UTHealth Houston name or UTHealth Houston components’ name(s) should be updated and fabricated through the Office of Facilities, Planning, and Engineering, who will secure approval of the signage from the TMC.
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Exterior door decals
Each exterior door to every UTHealth Houston building or area must be clearly branded and identified as part of the university. Decal signage can be fabricated in black vinyl or color-matched to University Orange and University Gray. The logo must appear at the top, followed by the school name and address. Approved university notices must appear in the footer area. This includes information about firearms and tobacco. Approved firearm and tobacco iconography must be used. State mandated firearms/campus carry information must be posted at every building entrance. Only approved graphics and typography, which can be obtained from the Office of Facilities, Planning, and Engineering, may be used.
Interior Signage and Facility Wayfinding
Each UTHealth Houston facility has an established wayfinding system in place. There is consistency among the systems in that university typefaces and colors are always used, but it is customized for each school and building. Specifications and artwork can be attained from the Office of Facilities, Planning, and Engineering and from Management Services Directors at each school. When purchasing or ordering signage, all procurement guidelines must be carefully followed.
Every interior wayfinding sign must be ADA-compliant, including Braille application. For more information, contact the Office of Facilities, Planning, and Engineering.
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Elevator and egress map lobby signage
The standard for elevator and related wayfinding signage is consistent among all the UTHealth Houston wayfinding systems, and should be applied to any new or updated signage system.
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Department door decals
The interior door decal standard is consistent among all the UTHealth Houston wayfinding systems and is modeled after the exterior wayfinding door decal standard. Department door decals can be all black, frosted/etched, or two-color (University Orange and University Gray). The logo should appear at the top with department or office name and suite number listed below in Adobe Garamond. No other sign, plaque, or information should appear or be posted on any type of interior facility door.
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Room identification
Room and area identifiers vary from building to building, but still incorporate UTHealth Houston color and typography standards. They are customized to the look and established architectural style of each facility, and applied consistently throughout each building. Each room identifier has paper inserts that can be easily updated. Inserts should always be created using approved UTHealth Houston typefaces.
UTHealth Houston signage exists to promote brand identity; attract, engage, and inform our constituents and visitors; and increase interest, traffic, and brand awareness.
Additional Signage
The UTHealth Houston logo may be used in interior signage to further identify and brand our facilities and areas. The logo may not be altered or changed in any way. Names of offices, departments, clinics, and labs should use UTHealth Houston typefaces, sized at established standards. For assistance with interior signage, contact the Office of Public Affairs.
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Fabricated wall signage
Fabrication methods include channel-cut brushed aluminum logos with painted returns, etched glass, and acrylic. For guidance, please contact the Office of Public Affairs.
Other types of signs may be allowed by the Offices of Facilities, Planning, and Engineering and Public Affairs, plus the Management Services Director of the school, in order to maintain compliance and consistency within each signage system.
The university seal should not be used in any signage application – exterior or interior. Use of the seal is limited to official documents such as transcripts and diplomas or at the request of the Office of the President.
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Donor recognition signage
Donor recognition signage is installed to recognize the generous philanthropists who support UTHealth Houston mission areas. Donor signage must be created at the direction of and with input from the Office of Development. Key input and guidance should be obtained from the Office of Facilities, Planning, and Engineering, school/department communications offices, Management Services Directors, and contracted signage vendors. All donor recognition signage should comply with visual identity, signage, and editorial standards. Only primary brand colors, typefaces, and imagery relevant to the donor(s) and funded area should be used. Donor recognition signage must be reviewed and approved by the Office of Public Affairs.
Types of donor recognition signage
- Plaques – room, clinic, operatory, area
- Plaques – endowment holders
- Memorial signage
- Tribute signage (for named schools, centers, institutes)
- Fundraising campaign donor walls
- Endowment walls
Each type of donor signage installed is dependent on a ladder system of factors that include the amount of the gift, the type of gift/what was funded, who the donor(s) is/are, the type of donor, and the purpose of the gift. Contact the Office of Development for more information on when signage is developed as part of the Stewardship program.
Signage Strategy and Planning
Please contact the Office of Public Affairs with any questions about signage.
Know what you need and when you need it. Determine the location of the sign. Is it an exterior or interior sign? What is your target date? What is your budget?