• Branded building signage

  Building identification

  All UTHealth buildings should be clearly identified as part of the university. The components of the UTHealth 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 typefaces and colors. For named schools (Cizik School of Nursing, McGovern Medical School), the tapestry and UTHealth 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 buildings have canopy awnings on or in close proximity to the building exterior. Canopy awnings should always display the UTHealth 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 (UTHealth Orange, UTHealth Gray, or UTHealth Blue). For named schools, the tapestry and UTHealth 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.

  
• TMC-mandated signage

  

  Institution identification signs

  Every UTHealth 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 name should be listed accurately and clearly on all TMC wayfinding signage with UTHealth included in the name, when at all possible. If there is not enough physical space on the sign to include UTHealth, the Office of Public Affairs should be consulted to explore alternatives. All TMC signage bearing the UTHealth name or UTHealth 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.

• Exterior door decals

  Each exterior door to every UTHealth 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 UTHealth Orange and UTHealth 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.

  

• Transportation signage

  Parking signs

  Parking signs should be ordered and approved by Parking Services, Auxiliary Enterprises. Logo usage on parking signs also should be approved by the Office of Public Affairs. Only approved university typefaces should be used.

  Shuttle stop signage

  All shuttle stop signage should clearly and accurately display the UTHealth logo. Finishes and fabrication methods should be applied as consistently as possible. Shuttle stop signage must also comply with TMC standards.

  Vehicle signage: campus shuttles, service fleet vehicles, mobile clinics

  Campus shuttles should be clearly branded with the UTHealth logo and adhere to color, typography, and imagery standards. Wrapped graphics must comply with all logo standards. When mobilized as part of the university external marketing campaign, shuttle wraps must be approved by the Office of the President. All other wrapped vehicles must be approved in advance by the Office of Public Affairs. Service fleet vehicles should prominently display the UTHealth logo on the non-windowed area of the driver and passenger side doors. The orange/gray logo may be used on white vehicles. UTHealth vehicles in other colors should utilize the appropriate logo color option.

• Elevator and egress map lobby signage

  The standard for elevator and related wayfinding signage is consistent among all the UTHealth wayfinding systems, and should be applied to any new or updated signage system.

  

• Department door decals

  The interior door decal standard is consistent among all the UTHealth wayfinding systems and is modeled after the exterior wayfinding door decal standard. Department door decals can be all black, frosted/etched, or two-color (UTHealth Orange and UTHealth 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.

  

• Room identification

  Room and area identifiers vary from building to building, but still incorporate UTHealth 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 typefaces.

  

• Restrooms

  Restroom signs are consistent among all UTHealth wayfinding systems and should be ADA compliant. The restroom iconography is based on internationally recognized icons. 

• Other interior signage

  Facility directories, interior directional signs, nursing mothers’ rooms, and floor plan identification signs should be consistent with UTHealth color and typography standards, and should adhere to ADA compliance standards.

• 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. 

  

• Digital signage

  Digital signage includes monitors, Axis TV, digital installations, digital directory and wayfinding signage, and scrolling marquees. 

  For clear, consistent communication across the campus, all digital signage must comply with UTHealth visual brand standards. Messaging must comply with editorial standards, and is subject to approval by the Office of Public Affairs and/or the Office of the President as well as the school’s office of the dean/office of communications.

  Any custom slides (e.g., for a UTHealth event, industry conference, governmental announcement, etc.), must be approved by the school’s office of the dean/office of communications, or by the Office of Public Affairs for university-level communications.

  All emergency communication signage is part of a consistent internal emergency communications plan implemented in each UTHealth facility.

• Promotional signage

  Promotional signage is often used in UTHealth facilities and at UTHealth events to promote campaigns, initiatives, events, or the UTHealth brand/reputation. All promotional signage must comply with UTHealth Brand Standards. For more information and guidance, please contact the Office of Public Affairs.

  Types of promotional signage

  • Pop-up/retractable banners
  • Stage banners
  • Exterior building banners
  • Campus engagement/light pole banners
  • Event wayfinding/parking signage
  • Step-and-repeat banners
  • Posters and flyers
• Donor recognition signage

  

  Donor recognition signage is installed to recognize the generous philanthropists who support UTHealth 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 Process

• 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?

• Determine message.

  Determine the message and write the copy for the sign. Is there another sign with similar copy that can be used as a guide, or will new copy need to be created from scratch?

• Select appropriate sign type.

  Identify and work with a vendor to research available options and select the specific kind of sign that best works for the project at hand.

• Locate drawings and determine any special conditions.

  Locate relevant building/space drawings that can assist with signage planning. Visit and review the space (with vendor, when applicable) where the sign will be installed. Does the sign need special placement or other considerations? Is it in an unusual location?

• Communicate signage scope with vendor.

  Deliver drawings, messages, location, and all other relevant materials to the vendor. In order to produce each sign, the vendor will need this information. Work with the vendor to make sure all aspects of each project are met.

• Be present at installation.

  Be present at installation for quality control and adherence to standards. Signs should meet all UTHealth Brand Standards.