Applying the Brand
Environmental Signage
Environmental signage is a physical expression of the UMD brand that makes Terps feel at home and welcomes visitors into our spaces. Use these guidelines to create a cohesive sense of community on campus.
Design Guidelines
- Adhere to campus brand guidelines and visual identity.
- Ensure text is visible at a 10-foot distance.
- Keep longevity in mind to avoid having to replace your designs frequently.
- Use the provided templates as specified below.
Messaging Guidelines
- Messaging should highlight key brand themes and have a universitywide appeal, with a focus on internal audiences (students, faculty, staff).
- Do not include discriminatory, obscene, threatening, violent, harassing, defamatory or otherwise unlawful language, images or other content.
- Commercial advertising; promotion or advertisement of any political candidate, party or issue; and advertisement or promotion of any one religion; is not permitted.
- Use “hard” calls to action (e.g. learn more, sign up, etc.), URLs or QR codes sparingly.
Temporary Signage
Exterior Hanging Banners
The use of temporary hanging banners on the exterior facade of buildings is no longer permitted as of August 2025. This new guidance supports the work of the Office of Marketing and Communications (OMC) and Facilities Management in minimizing visual clutter and maximizing brand consistency. Buildings excepted include the Adele H. Stamp Student Union, Hornbake Library, McKeldin Library and Department of Transportation parking garages.
Construction Banners
Facilities Planning and Construction is responsible for the installation, maintenance and removal of all construction signage.
Lawn Signs
Include your unit’s logo and/or name in your design and adhere to university policies on permitted placement locations and the duration of display. See VIII. Additional Rules for the Posting of Written Materials on Campus.
Light Pole Banners
Any school, college or unit seeking to install light pole banners must request approval from OMC. Student groups are not permitted to place light pole banners on campus. Read the light pole banner guidelines and learn how to submit a request.
Feather Flags, Pop-Ups and Other Banners
Production must be completed by a licensed vendor to ensure brand consistency and proper logo usage.
Permanent Signage
Permanent signage requests, including internal and external wayfinding, must go through a different process that includes review by the Architecture and Landscape Review Board.
Murals and Accent Walls
OMC requests that mural and accent wall designs are provided to our office for a courtesy review to ensure brand consistency and proper logo usage and to clear the use of licensed imagery, if necessary. Please send all designs to marylandbrand@umd.edu for review.