Permanent Campus Signage Guidelines

Permanent signage for official wayfinding for the University such as directories, office nameplates, building names and numbers is managed by facilities and must be created through the Facilities Management office.

Donor signage such as displays indicating named programs, buildings and scholarships is managed by University Advancement and must be created by University Marketing and Communications.

However, additional display needs such as murals or other creative endeavors do arise and should follow the below guidelines.

Timeline

When planning for the creation and installation of your signage, let your vendor know at the outset if this is a permanent or temporary project to determine the appropriate installation method and materials.

Permanent

If the signage will be fixed in place and is intended to be displayed over five years or more, it is considered permanent. Typically the installation process for permanent signage destroys the paint on the wall or structure it is adhered to, requiring filling in multiple holes and/or repainting.

Note: Hanging a picture frame on the wall is not usually considered permanent signage. Consider the cost for reversing wall damage as part of your budget when planning your project.

Temporary

If the signage is intended for short-term use for less than five years, it is considered temporary. The installation process for a temporary sign usually includes a lighter adhesive that is non-destructive.

Note: Posters and flyers are not typically considered signage, and the distribution of those is managed by various parties, including the University Commons who manages posting boards in high traffic areas across campus. Visit the Posting Services webpage on the University Commons and Event Services website for more information.

Design

Permanent signage should utilize foundational brand identity elements including the primary institutional logos, fonts and colors as appropriate, following ADA contrast standards to ensure readability.

Wayfinding

Unique wayfinding signage may not be created in lieu of institutional wayfinding signage, however it can be created for supplementary use.

Oversight

Any UWF communicator or liaison can create permanent signage, and all permanent signage should be shared with brand@uwf.edu before being finalized. Depending on the scale of the project, it may require further approval from University leadership. Permanent signage that is not approved is subject to removal.

Limited exceptions for the above guidelines can be considered by submitting your request to brand@uwf.edu.