---
title: Environmental
date: 2026-06-04T11:00:00-04:00
author: Tierra Collins
canonical_url: "https://brand.umd.edu/applying-the-brand/environmental"
section: Pages
---
# Environmental

*Applying the Brand*

**Environmental Signage**



<span>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.</span>


# 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


- <span>Messaging should highlight key brand themes and have a universitywide appeal, with a focus on internal audiences (students, faculty, staff).</span>
- <span>Do not include discriminatory, obscene, threatening, violent, harassing, defamatory or otherwise unlawful language, images or other content.</span>
- <span>Commercial advertising; promotion or advertisement of any political candidate, party or issue; and advertisement or promotion of any one religion; is not permitted.</span>
- <span>Use “hard” calls to action (e.g. learn more, sign up, etc.), URLs or QR codes sparingly.</span>


# Temporary Signage



### Exterior Hanging Banners

<span>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.</span>

*Open house for admitted students on Friday, April 10, 2026.*



### Construction Banners

[<span>Facilities Planning and Construction</span>](https://facilities.umd.edu/about-fm/our-units-0#pc-unit)<span> is responsible for the installation, maintenance and removal of all construction signage. </span>

- [Download OMC-approved templates](https://umd.box.com/s/pnuyeftb7hyxgf2b5r8juov1kvhsacus)


*Construction on NextGen Energy Program.


Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle /University of Maryland*



### Lawn Signs

<span>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 </span>[<span>VIII. Additional Rules for the Posting of Written Materials on Campus</span>](https://policies.umd.edu/general-administration/university-of-maryland-policy-and-procedures-for-the-use-of-facilities-and-outdoor-spaces#:~:text=VIII.%20Additional%20Rules%20for%20the%20Posting%20of%20Written%20Materials%20on%20Campus)<span>.</span>

*A welcome Terps move in sign in Washington Quad during move-in on Aug. 23, 2024.

Photo by Riley N. Sims/University of Maryland*



### 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](https://brand.umd.edu/applying-the-brand/environmental/light-pole-banners) and learn how to submit a request.

*Pedestrians walk along Stadium Drive with fearlessly forward flag pole banners and cherry blossoms in bloom on March 16, 2024.

Photo by Riley N. Sims/University of Maryland*



### Feather Flags, Pop-Ups and Other Banners

Production must be completed by a [licensed vendor](https://brand.umd.edu/trademarks-licensing/for-campus) to ensure brand consistency and proper logo usage.

*Maryland Day 2025, University of Maryland, April 26, 2025.

Photo by Riley N. Sims/University of Maryland*






# Permanent Signage


<span>Permanent signage requests, including internal and external wayfinding, must go through a different process that includes review by the Architecture and Landscape Review Board.</span>

**Murals and Accent Walls**

<span>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. </span>