Your school brand is the face you show to the world. Your school name, slogan, logo, colors and mascot tell the world who you are. From your website to your letterhead, your spirit wear store to your school sign, these individual elements combine to create a lasting impression of your school.
Refining your school brand may seem daunting, but there are some situations when it’s vital. It may be time for a refresh if your brand is:
Undefined
You might not even think you have a school brand, but you do. The only question is, how well defined is it? If your staff and vendors are free to use any colors, fonts, graphics and logos they choose, your brand will convey disorganization and disarray.
A well-defined school brand supports the impression that your school is professional, organized and well-run.
A well-defined school brand, on the other hand, supports the impression that your school is professional, organized and well-run. To achieve this this, your school should have a brand guide. This document provides clear specifications on the logos, colors and fonts that should be used for all school communications. It also anticipates common graphic design needs, such as black-and-white or one-color printing, and provides detail on how to ensure that designs are readable and visually appealing.
Cluttered
When it comes to your school brand, more is not always better. Any color, logo, mascot or slogan that is selected to represent your school should be chosen with care. Consistency is a key feature of a successful brand. Without it, your school’s identity can get lost.
Any brand element that represents your school should be chosen with care.
While it’s advisable to have a few variations, they should be consistent in quality and appearance. Similarly, your school colors should be clearly defined by the specific values used for printing and graphic design. If your brand library is cluttered with too many options, paring it down can help you stick to what’s essential.
Poor Quality
To have impact, your school brand needs to be versatile enough to perform well in a variety of formats. Your school should have a library of scalable, high-quality vector image files that are suitable for any occasion – from large-scale projects like painting a gym floor, to more intricate applications like creating embroidered polo shirts. If your logo files aren’t up to the challenge, your school will be limited in how you can use your logo.
Indistinct
Your school brand should have meaning and purpose. It should send a clear message about your school that is specific and meaningful. Your community should be able to pick your messages out of a crowded field and know that they came from you.
How does your brand compare to others in your region?
Context matters here. Consider the other schools in your region, in your athletic conference, in your community. Does your school’s identity compare favorably to its neighbors? Do you blend in, or stand out?
Outdated
Your school brand should be a reflection of its core values and of the community it serves. If your school’s historic name, slogan, or mascot no longer resonates with your school community, it may be working against your mission. While making changes to these core elements of your brand can be a unique challenge, it can ultimately have a positive impact on your school’s culture.
If it’s time for a rebrand, or even just a touch-up, contact us today to find out how we can help you elevate your district’s brand!