Brand Governance
Source: https://brand.warwick.ac.uk/en/brand-governance/ Parent: https://brand.warwick.ac.uk/
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Governance
Brand Governance Process
Our brand is more than a logo. It represents our identity and values, shaping how the world sees us. Brand governance helps us to keep a clear and consistent identity in all our messages.
Brand governance is key to our creative process. It ensures our messaging, tone of voice and visual identity is applied consistently and supports the University's strategic ambitions for 2030 and beyond.
What is our process?
Our Brand Governance Process outlines the guiding principles when using the University’s brand. It sets expectations, standards, and responsibilities for all platforms and materials. This process ensures that all departments, faculties, and external partners represent Warwick in line with our values, enhancing our reputation.
Brand Evolution rollout
Our evolved brand will rollout over the next three years, beginning with our digital channels and moving across the whole University over time.
We understand that some projects that are already live or have been created before June 18 2025 will remain in old branding during the live phase.
If you have any printed materials featuring our previous branding, please continue using them until depleted to minimise additional expenses and reduce environmental impact. We envisage that the brand will roll out across the University over three years.
Should you need guidance on the potential impacts of the Brand Evolution Project on reordering assets or printed materials, please contact the Brand Team. We can offer practical advice and insights to help you make informed decisions regarding your ongoing projects.
The process covers:
Visual identity
(logos, colours, typography)
All brand assets (e.g. brand logo set) used must be supplied by the Brand Team to ensure they are compliant. You must never copy assets from online platforms or create your own.
Verbal identity
(tone of voice, messaging)
Our Brand Book explains how to use our tone of voice and messaging structure which must be followed. If you need further assistance, please contact the Brand Team.
Co-branding and third-party use
Under no circumstances should any University of Warwick brand assets be used or supplied without the express permission of the Brand Team.
Brand approvals and asset usage
All assets created across the University, whether in-house or by an agency, are subject to approval by the Brand Team. Non-compliant materials will be removed at the cost of the Department or Faculty.
How to Stay Compliant
To stay on brand and meet university standards:
- Use approved assets: Complete the Brand Asset Request Form for approved logo files and assets.
- It is prohibited to copy logos from the brand portal or anywhere else. Always request the original files from the Brand Team. Any brand assets not supplied by the Brand Team will be viewed as non-compliant and you will be asked to remove your assets, or they will be prohibited from use.
- Refer to the Brand Book pages on the Brand Portal for instructions on how to correctly use our brand, this means using our visual identity as well as our brand assets.
- Seek support. If you have any questions about your branded items, the Brand Team can help.
- Email your branded items to the brand@warwick.ac.uk for approval, before publishing.
Consequences of Inconsistent Branding
Not following brand standards can have significant impacts.
- The University’s identity may become fragmented and hard to recognise.
- Audiences may receive mixed messages or lose trust.
- Fixing inconsistent materials can waste time and resources.
- Reputational damage may arise from communications that lack clarity and professionalism.
Creative Submission and Approval Process
Step 1: Complete the Brand Asset Request Form
As a Department, Faculty or partner of the of the University, prior to starting any project it is compulsory to complete the Brand Asset Request Form, providing a summary of your project and which assets you require.
Once your project is approved to ensure it is brand compliant, you will be supplied the correct brand identity files and you will receive instruction on how to proceed.
Step 2: Develop Visuals
Departments can then begin developing their materials using the provided assets and within the parameters of the Brand Book.
Step 3: Submit for Brand Review
All visuals, creative materials, and proofs that contain the University of Warwick logo must be emailed to brand@warwick.ac.uk for review prior to publication or release. This includes the following items but this is not an exhaustive list):
- Printed collateral
- Digital advertising
- Website designs
- Videos
- Event branding
- External communications
Submissions should be made at least 5 working days before the intended publication date or print deadline.
Email all submissions to brand@warwick.ac.uk with the subject line 'Brand Approval Request – [Project Name]'
Please include:
- Final artwork (PDF, JPEG, or working files)
- Context for usage (audience, format, distribution)
- Any relevant deadlines
Working with the Brand Team
The Brand Team’s role is not to police, but to partner with departments in producing high-quality, effective communications. We are here to:
- Help translate your message into impactful, audience-appropriate design
- Offer alternatives where brand alignment is needed
- Recommend best practices in visual storytelling
- Work collaboratively toward solutions
We encourage early engagement— please speak to us during the planning stage rather than just before launch.
Non-Compliance
Failure to follow brand guidelines may result in:
- Delay or rejection of creative assets
- Public-facing materials being retracted
- Misuse of trademarks, leading to reputational or legal implications
To avoid these outcomes, departments are expected to integrate brand governance into their planning and production workflows.
Promotional merchandise
Promotional items can be powerful tools for building recognition, pride and belonging, but only when they’re quality, genuinely useful, and responsibly produced.
Working closely with the Sustainability and Procurement teams, and our approved suppliers, we’ve introduced a coordinated approach that makes it easier to choose promotional items that:
- Support Warwick’s sustainability strategy.
- Save time and reduce administrative burden.
- Use approved artwork, Pantone-matched colours, and consistent brand application.
- Are sourced from trusted and responsible suppliers.
- Are durable, reusable, and designed to minimise waste.
- Benefit from shared stock and economies of scale.
The result is a more professional, coherent, and environmentally responsible approach to promotional merchandise across the University. All promotional merchandise that is institutionally branded needs to be ordered through our promotional merchandise portal.
Any items being created and ordered by WMG and WBS (using their own brand) needs to go through any of our approved suppliers. For more information about ordering promotional merchandise, please visit our promotional merchandise page or contact the Brand Team.
Looking Ahead: Evolving the Brand Together
Brand governance allows creativity within a strong identity. Our brand will evolve as Warwick grows. We invite the University community to share ideas, feedback, and best practices.
Together, we can keep our brand relevant, bold, and inspiring.
FAQs
What is brand governance and why is it important?
Brand governance refers to the set of guidelines and structures that ensure consistent and appropriate use of the university’s brand. It helps protect the University’s reputation, strengthens recognition, and builds trust with audiences.
Who does the brand governance policy apply to?
It applies to all university staff, students, departments, societies, partners and anyone using the University of Warwick’s brand assets, representing the University publicly or using the University’s brand in the form of partnerships.
What is the timescale for implementation of the evolved brand?
The evolved brand will be rolled out over the course of the next three years,
We have issued updated digital templates and resources on our Brand Portal for use from June 18th 2025. All digital channels and assets should be updated where possible, with any new projects and campaigns to take on the evolved brand immediately.
We understand that some projects that are already live or have been created before June 18 2025 will remain in old branding during the live phase.
If you have any printed materials featuring our previous branding, please continue using them until depleted to minimise additional expenses and reduce environmental impact. We envisage that the brand will roll out across the University over three years.
Should you need guidance on the potential impacts of the Brand Evolution Project on reordering assets or printed materials, please contact the Brand Team. We can offer practical advice and insights to help you make informed decisions regarding your ongoing projects.
Can my Department/Faculty choose a single colour to represent us?
We encourage the use of our full colour palette in line with our brand guidelines, we do not endorse any use of a single colour to promote a Department or Faculty.
What are the core elements of the University of Warwick brand?
These include the logo, colour palette, typefaces, tone of voice, visual identity, messaging and brand values.
What happens if I don’t follow the brand policy?
The University will request changes or removal of non-compliant materials.
Can I create my own logo or visual identity for my department or student group?
Sub-brands or derivative logos are discouraged, unless explicitly approved.
Where can I find official templates and brand assets?
Our Brand Portal hosts downloadable resources such as PowerPoint templates, letterheads, digital assets, and guidelines for usage.
If you require assets, such as logos, then please contact the Brand Team with a description of your intended use and we will send you the appropriate files.
Who can I contact if I’m unsure about brand usage?
The brand team is the central resource for all enquiries related to brand across the University of Warwick.
Can we adapt brand elements for specific cultural or regional contexts?
The University values inclusivity and global reach, no adaptations of brand should be undertaken unless approved by the brand team.
Does the brand policy apply to social media content?
Any public-facing content, including on social platforms, must align with the brand’s tone of voice, visual identity, and guidelines to ensure consistency.
Why does it matter if my materials look a bit different from the official style?
Inconsistent visual styles dilute the university brand identity and can confuse audiences. A strong, unified brand builds trust and increases engagement. This, in turn, supports the University of Warwick’s global reputation.
Asset Bank
Asset Bank is Warwick's own repository of imagery for use in a wide range of marketing and communications. It allows us to ensure photography is GDPR compliant and allows ease of searching by categories, location and people.
These login details will give you access to Asset Bank. Everything on there has been cleared for consent and copyright.
- Username: deptaccess1
- Password: 4ss3tB4nk
The Asset Bank login will give you browsing permissions. Please contact the Brand Team with the ID numbers of the images you'd like to have, along with a brief summary of how and where you plan to use them for GDPR purposes.
Need branding support?
If you have any further questions, please get in touch with the brand team via our contact form.