University of Malta

Official Websites

• https://www.um.edu.mt
• https://www.um.edu.mt/brandmanual
• https://www.um.edu.mt/marketingcommunications/branding

Brand Guidelines

2019

Brand Summary

Mission

• The mission of the University of Malta is to serve the aspirations of the people of these islands through locally and globally significant research and the provision of quality higher education in the arts, sciences and the humanities as required for Malta’s economic, social and cultural development, via the scholarship of discovery, teaching and service to the community. These functions shall be delivered in a sustainable manner that is responsive to this country’s present and emergent needs [^1].

Core Values

• heritage
• innovation
• sustainability
• academic excellence
• community service
• diversity
• clarity
• flexibility

Target Audience

• Prospective and current students (local and international), academic and administrative staff, alumni, and the broader Maltese and international community [^2].

Personality Traits

• professional
• vibrant
• dynamic
• organic
• minimal
• youthful
• inclusive

Visual Identity Overview

• The visual identity is contemporary, rooted in Maltese cultural heritage, and based on minimal, organic, and dynamic design principles. It features a stylized shield emblem, a bold wordmark, and a color palette dominated by red, white, and pink, with clear guidelines for logo usage, typography, and layout. The brand emphasizes clarity, consistency, and flexibility across all applications [^3].

Categories

Brand Voice

• The way we get our message across is key to our reputation. We need to delve deeper into how we communicate with our varied audiences. It is important to be consistent in our content to convey our identity effectively.
• These guidelines are aimed at fine-tuning writing for marketing and editorial purposes, outlining the most common issues when writing for print media and for the web. It is imperative that when publishing any sort of communication to the media, a copy is first sent to the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office. The team will ensure that the right tone is used and help you reach the desired audience using the correct language that reflects the values of our brand. The Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office can be reached via info@um.edu.mt.
• Try to avoid terms used within the University of Malta which may not be understood by the people outside the institution, especially by prospective international students.
• Use the term ‘postgraduate certificate’ not ‘PgCert’ (except in course titles)

Brand Imagery

• Photography is key to portraying the culture, diversity and vibrant campus life of the University of Malta. Malta and, to this end, the way in which a subject is photographed must reflect the spirit of the brand.
• All models should be given a consent form to sign prior to participating in a photoshoot. You can request soft copies of the consent forms by sending an email to info@um.edu.mt.
• During photoshoots conducted in specialised/hazardous environments such as laboratories and testing rooms, the photographer must ensure that all models wear the safety/recommended clothing and use the equipment correctly, under professional supervision if required.
• Photos should be composed of mainly a warm palette wherever possible, although in some environments such as scientific laboratories, it is understandable that the photo will have a colder colour composition.
• Make the most of natural light and try planning the photoshoots when good weather is expected: plenty of natural light, warm sunlight rays, light shadows and play of light give a lively warmth to the picture.
• Photos should look or be as natural as possible: - the staging should not look obvious on camera - the models should not look straight into the camera - poses should be relaxed and natural, not artificial and uncomfortable - the expressions need to look sincere and spontaneous - the photo editing should be minimal - wherever possible, a diverse group of models should participate in the photoshoot to represent: different nationalities, ages, racial ethnicities, religions, dis/abilities, weight, height and generic outward appearance. - sunglasses (not glasses) are allowed if the model is alone, if all models have sunglasses, or if the models are not speaking or interacting with each other. The option of not wearing sunglasses is preferred. - heavy or very shiny jewellery is not allowed during photoshoots. Tattoos (unless they have negative connotations) and piercings are welcome. - clothing should be unbranded where possible (or the photo taken in a way that the brand can be easily edited out of the image). No harsh/violent/ insulting/racial language or any kind of imagery with negative connotations on clothing is permitted during photoshoots.
• Photos are to be taken in very high resolution (300dpi) and in a large format (4000px height [portrait] or width [landscape] minimum) in order to be suitable for large-scale printing such as pull-ups and billboards.
• Text can be added to the photos and must be in Lato or Cera Pro®. Any text should appear on the left-hand side of the photograph. Photographers should ideally be informed of this in advance so as to plan the photographs accordingly. If this is not possible and the photo does not have a very light/dark area to the left, text can be added by: - applying a shape from the list inspired by the rubble walls (refer to p. 30) at an opacity not greater than 70% in one of the brand colours (as displayed on p. 38) and applying the text, left-aligned in black (K100) or in one of the colours of the brand belonging to the dark palette, depending on what best suits the colour composition of the image. OR - inserting a light flare to enhance the image (refer to p. 43) and applying the text, left-aligned in black (K100_ or in one of the colours of the brand belonging to the dark palette, depending on what best suits the colour composition of the image.
• Ideally each scene should be photographed both horizontally and vertically in order to cater for different possible uses. An equally good number of both horizontal and vertical photos should be available by the end of each photoshoot.
• Any clutter or rubbish should be removed and the area should be clean. Check if the surrounding objects/environment are in a good, adequate state (no peeling paint, broken chairs, paper/dirt on walls etc.).
• Green areas, scenery backdrop and minimal environments are preferred over buildings and busy areas. Keep monuments and strange structures out of the photography as much as possible. Guide the attention through appropriate positioning of the models in the current environment.
• The subject need not be in the middle of the image; you can stick to the rule of thirds. However we believe correct representation comes in different forms. (See photographic examples below).
• The UM brand is evolving into a much more fluid, organic and youthful entity, and this allows freedom in using different angles when taking a photograph - the more unusual and expressive, the more interesting the photo. Generic photography rules still apply and angles should be appropriate, also taking the kind of clothing and the models’ pose into consideration. Some examples below show the kind of photos that resonate with our brand.
• The subject can be fully integrated in the photo, partly or even omitted from the photo, especially in cases where the image needs to represent a taught subject, a skillset, material/tools being used or the surrounding environment, or even other subjects in the room, rather than the subject closest to the lens. A close-up photo of the model to capture that split-of-a-second emotion or a macro of an object are also viable, interesting options, as long as they are taken professionally.
• When focusing on a subject the background subjects need to be blurred out according to distance.
• Emphasis on a particular subject can be created with a play of light. As long as the photo has balance in lighting and is not too dark or blinding it is correct. Natural light is always preferred to artificial light, however it also depends on the weather and whether the photo is taken inside or outside.
• Creating contrasts in colours through lighting or just choosing an interesting angle for contrast between light and shadow are also viable options. Lighting in photographs should not be harsh, high-key or unbalanced.
• University of Malta logo for copyright: The UM logo need not appear on the photos if they are used in a UM publication or documents with the UM logo. In third party publications, social media usage, any online uploads and any other channel where the UM logo does not appear at the same instance as the photo, the UM logo should be added left-aligned at the top- or bottom-left corner in white or black (K 100) at a minimum of 30% opacity and a maximum of 70% opacity in order to ensure legibility while not attracting attention away from the photo.
• Keep editing to a minimum. The efforts taken to keep photos as natural as possible - especially when it comes to lighting - are easily erased through too much editing. Put a lot of thought into capturing the subject, so editing will always be a minor issue and fidelity to the original is maintained as much as possible.
• Remove any kind of visible branding on clothing, bags and any other item.
• A. Photo filter: always needs to be applied: Image > Adjustments > Photo Filter… > Warming Filter (85) > Set at 25%
• B. Light flare: optional: Sometimes a light flare adds character to a photo or that missing spark. It can also serve as a light-enough area if text needs to be inserted. There are three different light flares available. To insert: 1. Open the photo you need to edit on PS 2. Choose the light flare you deem most appropriate 3. Place light flare on photo. Ctrl/Command - T to Transform Light Flare 4. Resize, rotate and position as necessary 5. Change the light flare layer to Screen 6. You’re done!
• C. Colour-correction: keep in mind the warm palette when colour-correcting your photos. Apply colour-correction after the Warming filter in A.
• Other colour: sepia or black and white are two other accepted formats of photography, however the touch of warm colour should be applied either through sunlight or by adding a light flare. Use of plain black and white is not permitted.
• The models should not be posing in a fake, acted-out manner; the photos need to be as natural as possible
• Photos cannot be captured with models looking or smiling at the camera
• The models should be engaged in conversation or actively doing something, not just staring around aimlessly
• Photos which are not in line with the guidelines stipulated on the previous pages should not be chosen
• Any photo or image which has the traits of the photos below cannot be used for UM purposes
• Any photos or videos which were not taken by the staff of the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office must follow these brand guidelines and also need to be approved by the Office prior to use and circulation.

Color Palette

• Pantone® 200C P200 CMYK 31007012 RGB 186 12 47 HEX/HTML BAOC2F
• Pantone® PROCESS BLACK C CMYK 0 0 0 100 RGB 000 HEX/HTML 000000
• Pantone® 872C CMYK 0 25 56 51 RGB 133 113 77 HEX/HTML 85714D
• The official colour palette can be used by all faculties, institutes, centres and schools falling under UM, including Degree+, which also has colour c3 as its own brand colour.
• All branded items for offices and other entities excluding Degree+ must use the official UM red and not the other colours.
• CMYK 0 15100 0 RGB 255 237 0 HEX/HTML FFEDOO
• CMYK 8 100 55 37 RGB 156 12 53 HEX/HTML 9COC35
• CMYK 27 33 0 0 RGB 195 179 216 HEX/HTML C3B3D8
• CMYK 5911 0 0 RGB 103185 232 HEX/HTML 67B9E8
• CMYK 65 0 100 0 RGB 101 179 46 HEX/HTML 65B32E
• CMYK 0 25 87 0 RGB 253 196 45 HEX/HTML FDC42D
• CMYK 0 82 50 0 RGB 233 76 94 HEX/HTML E94C5E
• CMYK 53 99 0 0 RGB 144 32 130 HEX/HTML 93328E
• CMYK 50 3315 0 RGB 143 160 190 HEX/HTML 8FAOBE
• CMYK 98 14 65 51 RGB 0 88 71 HEX/HTML 005847
• CMYK 0 41100 0 RGB 247 164 0 HEX/HTML F7A400
• CMYK 0 60 30 0 RGB 240 133 144 HEX/HTML F08590
• CMYK 100 85 5 22 RGB 29 49 118 HEX/HTML 103176
• CMYK 60 0 30 0 RGB 102 193191 HEX/HTML 66C1BF
• CMYK 24 60 9614 RGB 179 106 31 HEX/HTML B36A1F
• CMYK 0 68100 0 RGB 237108 5 HEX/HTML ED6C05
• CMYK 0 40 8 0 RGB 245 180 199 HEX/HTML F5B4C7
• CMYK 100 70 0 0 RGB 0 79 159 HEX/HTML 004F9F
• CMYK 98 2 65 0 RGB 0 152 120 HEX/HTML 009878
• CMYK 33 70 48 83 RGB 137 76 83 HEX/HTML 894C53
• CMYK 4 90 92 0 RGB 255 52 33 HEX/HTML E13421
• CMYK 0 30 50 0 RGB 250 193138 HEX/HTML FAC18A
• CMYK 100 40 0 0 RGB 0 117190 HEX/HTML 0075BE
• CMYK 40 18 100 0 RGB 174 178 25 HEX/HTML AEB219

Typography

• Typography is an important tool in laying out the new designs of the UM brand. Three complimentary typefaces have been chosen to be used for the new visual identity. Each type family has a specific use.
• Cera PRO © WHERE SHOULD IT BE USED? • On any material designed with the UM brand, particularly for headers and highlights • Stationery • Merchandise • Signage
• Lato WHERE SHOULD IT BE USED? • Anything designed with the UM Brand where it is mostly used for body text and online.
• Calibri WHERE SHOULD IT BE USED? • On any body text appearing on stationery and any printed communication which is generated by the University of Malta ONLY when the other typefaces (Cera PRO© and Lato) are not available for use or when the document will require editing by other staff at University who do not have Cera PRO© and Lato.
• The two main fonts to be used on any material released by the University of Malta are Cera PRO© and Lato.
• The font Calibri can be used when the above two fonts are not available or when the document will require future editing by staff/other parties with no access to these two fonts.
• The alignment of all text including titles, headers and sub-headers should be left-aligned. Exceptions include the sender details on official letterheads and any third party logos which can be placed either at bottom-left or bottom-right corners. The Balance Ragged Lines setting for paragraphs in Adobe InDesign is recommended.
• Headers must be in Cera PRO©, Bold, black at 60% tint.
• Sub-headers must be in Lato, Bold, black.
• Body or main text must be in Lato, Heavy, black.
• Contact details must be in Lato, Bold, black with the relevant Typicons icon in front.
• In cases where Cera PRO© and Lato are not available and Calibri has to be used, the headers should be in Bold between 16 and 18 point size and the sub-headers also in Bold between 13 and 15 point size. The main text should be in Calibri Regular between 8 and 11 point. All text should be in black. Contact icons should be converted into words.
• Whenever possible all documents should be passed through the Design section of the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office for approval of the format and other design aspects.
• All marketing material such as brochures, flyers, leaflets etc. should be created by the Design section of the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office to ensure consistency and full adherence to the UM brand.
• For more detailed guidelines regarding several marketing items such as brochures, flyers and posters, refer to Section 3 (p.49).
• Word document and Powerpoint format templates of several marketing material items are available for use when continuous editing of the document by parties without access to Cera PRO© and Lato fonts is required. Please contact info@um.edu.mt to be granted access (kindly note that this is for UM staff use only).
• Fonts for the newsletter must be either Lato or Calibri and no underlining, hyphenation, highlighting or use of other colours other than those of the brand palette are allowed.
• All the text on the pull-up must be in Cera PRO; the main header can be in black or in the darkest colour chosen for the pull-up.
• The font Cera PRO is used throughout.
• Entity names are to appear in uppercase, Cera PRO® Bold, 8.5pt on 10pt line spacing. Names are to be left-aligned with the edge of the logo and written in the same line format as the sub-brand logos.

Logo Usage

• The UM logo is made up of the crest and the stacked wordmark and should never be modified in any way except for proportionate resizing limited to a minimum size for print & digital.
• The UM stacked wordmark is in Cera PRO © Medium and should always be reproduced in the same colour as the crest.
• Red logo PANTONE® 200C CMYK 3 100 70 12 RGB 186 12 47 HEX/HTML BA0C2F
• For the reversed-out/white version of the logo, the crest sections which are transparent in the red and black logos appear in white while the reverse sections are transparent
• Black logo Process Black CMYK 0 0 0 100 RGB 39 37 31 HEX/HTML 27251F
• The only versions of the UM logo that are to be used are those illustrated on this page. No other versions in varying colour/s are permitted. The red logo takes precedence over the black and the reversed-out/white versions, therefore it should be the first preference for all UM marketing applications. In cases where legibility, clarity or design issues arise when using the red logo, the white and black versions of the UM logo can be used.
• Minimum size of logo for print application is 15mm, based on the height of the crest.
• Minimum size of logo for digital application is 10mm, based on the height of the crest.
• At minimum size, the mandatory clear space around the logo is 5mm. This increases in proportion to the size of the logo, as the example on the right shows. This also applies for digital and online use.
• For generic application (not large or very small-format items), the generic guideline of 10mm clear space can also be applied.
• Faculties/institutes/centres/schools/offices of the University of Malta are not allowed any graphical logomark other than the sub-brand logo allocated to them by the University.
• The same rules and guidelines that govern the use of the UM logo apply to sub-brands. All sub-brand logos exist in red, black and reversed-out versions and can be requested for use via info@um.edu.mt.
• All sub-brand logos are available in their red, black and reversed-out/ white versions. You can request access via info@um.edu.mt.
• For minimum size for print and digital application and for logo spacing please refer to the Size and Spacing Section on the previous page.
• Not more than one sub-brand logo can be used at a time.
• Logo placement Whenever possible, the preferred position for the University of Malta corporate and sub-brand logos is top-left, as shown in the examples on the right. The logo cannot be rotated in any manner, with the only exception of flag design (see Flags section, p.75)
• The legibility and clarity of all elements making up the logo should never be compromised. The placement of the logo will therefore also affect the background chosen, and viceversa. Refer to p.20 for Logo versions and backgrounds.
• Minimum sizes, placement and clear space must be respected in all print and digital/online cases, with no exceptions.
• In cases where the above is not possible, the secondary placement preference is bottom-left. Right or centre alignment should be avoided.
• Only in the instances below can any other alignment of the UM logo or sub-brand logos be considered: • if the layout is predetermined or provided by a third party and top-left or bottom-left alignment are not viable for legibility, print or legal reasons • if the University of Malta is not the main entity in the designed marketing material and therefore our guidelines are secondary to those of the main entity • when applying the logo on narrow flags (see p.75) • when the UM logo is the only element in the layout • if any decision on this account is taken by the Rector.
• When third party or logos of UM sub-entities/organisations etc. are integrated in the same marketing material, of which UM is the main entity, top-left alignment takes precedence. Other logos can be placed top-right or at the bottom within the layout, as displayed on the right.
• Editing the logo in any way -except for proportional resizing which adheres to the minimum size -is prohibited. Do not stretch or squash the logo while resizing.
• Rotation of the logo is not allowed, with the only exeception being on narrow flags (see p.75).
• The logo consists of the crest and the word mark and must be used in full in either one of the 3 versions: red (Pantone® or CMYK), black or reversed­out/white in full opacity as per the ‘Logo placement’ guidelines on p.18. Cropping, adding elements to the logo, using other colours or using the logo as a background is not permitted.
• All of the above guidelines apply to sub-brand logos. Do not add a sub-brand name underneath or close to the UM logo. Instead use the appropriate sub-brand logo.
• The crest of the official UM logo is only used on its own as a profile picture on the Facebook, Twitter and lnstagram pages of UM offices, faculties, institutes, centres, schools and resource centres, G.F. Abela Junior College and any sub-entity which falls directly under UM.
• UM red logo Usage of the red version of the logo is preferred. The background should be either white/transparent or in a very light colour. The background cannot be busy, patterned or too complex. All the elements of the logo must be clearly visible and legible. Avoid using backgrounds similar in colour to the corporate red of the UM logo. The red version should not be used when printing in black ink only.
• UM black logo The primary use of the black version of the UM logo is for when colour printing is not available.
• UM reversed-out/white logos The reversed-out logo may be used on more complex backgrounds and dark photography. There should be enough contrast for all the elements of the logo to be clearly distinguishable. Do not manually reverse the UM logo into white; use the correct version as provided by the Marketing, Communications and Alumni Office.
• All the above guidelines apply to the UM sub-brand logos and to both print and digital/online use.

Tone And Messaging

• The way we get our message across is key to our reputation. We need to delve deeper into how we communicate with our varied audiences. It is important to be consistent in our content to convey our identity effectively.
• These guidelines are aimed at fine-tuning writing for marketing and editorial purposes, outlining the most common issues when writing for print media and for the web. It is imperative that when publishing any sort of communication to the media, a copy is first sent to the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office. The team will ensure that the right tone is used and help you reach the desired audience using the correct language that reflects the values of our brand. The Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office can be reached via info@um.edu.mt.
• Try to avoid terms used within the University of Malta which may not be understood by the people outside the institution, especially by prospective international students.
• e.g. Use the term ‘postgraduate certificate’ not ‘PgCert’ (except in course titles)

Brand Values

• Serving students, scholarship and society, sustainably.
• The mission of the University of Malta is to serve the aspirations of the people of these islands through locally and globally significant research and the provision of quality higher education in the arts, sciences and the humanities as required for Malta’s economic, social and cultural development, via the scholarship of discovery, teaching and service to the community. These functions shall be delivered in a sustainable manner that is responsive to this country’s present and emergent needs.
• We want to stay true to our heritage; that’s what our brand is about.

Visual Style

• The UM logo is made up of the crest and the stacked wordmark and should never be modified in any way except for proportionate resizing limited to a minimum size for print & digital.
• The UM crest is a simplified version of the University’s ceremonial crest reproduced in one colour. Its simplicity allows for its use on digital and print media.
• The UM stacked wordmark is in Cera PRO © Medium and should always be reproduced in the same colour as the crest.
• Red logo: PANTONE® 200C, CMYK 3 100 70 12, RGB 186 12 47, HEX/HTML BA0C2F
• For the reversed-out/white version of the logo, the crest sections which are transparent in the red and black logos appear in white while the reverse sections are transparent.
• Black logo: Process Black, CMYK 0 0 0 100, RGB 39 37 31, HEX/HTML 27251F
• The only versions of the UM logo that are to be used are those illustrated on this page. No other versions in varying colour/s are permitted. The red logo takes precedence over the black and the reversed-out/white versions, therefore it should be the first preference for all UM marketing applications. In cases where legibility, clarity or design issues arise when using the red logo, the white and black versions of the UM logo can be used.
• Minimum size of logo for print application is 15mm, based on the height of the crest.
• Minimum size of logo for digital application is 10mm, based on the height of the crest.
• At minimum size, the mandatory clear space around the logo is 5mm. This increases in proportion to the size of the logo, as the example on the right shows. This also applies for digital and online use.
• For generic application (not large or very small-format items), the generic guideline of 10mm clear space can also be applied.
• Editing the logo in any way -except for proportional resizing which adheres to the minimum size -is prohibited. Do not stretch or squash the logo while resizing.
• Rotation of the logo is not allowed, with the only exeception being on narrow flags (see p.75).
• The logo consists of the crest and the word mark and must be used in full in either one of the 3 versions: red (Pantone® or CMYK), black or reversed­out/white in full opacity as per the ‘Logo placement’ guidelines on p.18. Cropping, adding elements to the logo, using other colours or using the logo as a background is not permitted.
• All of the above guidelines apply to sub-brand logos. Do not add a sub-brand name underneath or close to the UM logo. Instead use the appropriate sub-brand logo.
• The crest of the official UM logo is only used on its own as a profile picture on the Facebook, Twitter and lnstagram pages of UM offices, faculties, institutes, centres, schools and resource centres, G.F. Abela Junior College and any sub-entity which falls directly under UM.
• The UM line wordmark uses Cera PRO© Medium. The wordmark should be used only in the instances outlined below: • when the UM Logo cannot be reproduced at minimum size or more and the respective minimum clear space cannot be applied on the media such as on pens, pencils, gift ribbons and other small-sized stationery/ merchandise. This also applies to online applications where the UM logo on its own has to be inserted on a canvas size less than 80x80px • when the ceremonial crest is used (please refer to p.24).
• The gold version can only be used in print.
• The red version is preferred for usage with the crest but the white and black versions can also be used depending on the background.
• The minimum size of the wordmark for print and digital applications is 3mm, based on the height of the capital letter U. This small size makes the UM line wordmark the branding element to use on very small/narrow items such as lanyards and pens.
• At minimum size, the mandatory clear space around wordmark is of 5mm. This increases in proportion to the size of the wordmark, as shown in the example on the right.
• Red UM wordmark: PANTONE® 200C | CMYK 3 100 70 12, RGB 186 12 47, HEX/HTML BA0C2F
• Gold UM wordmark: PANTONE® 872C | CMYK 47 49 69 19
• Black UM wordmark: CMYK 3 100 70 12, RGB 186 12 47, HEX/HTML BA0C2F
• The University of Malta ceremonial crest is a digital reproduction of the painting of the University’s ceremonial crest created in 1923.
• The crest is reproduced using PANTONE® 872C and PANTONE® 200C or their CMYK equivalent.
• Two variations of the crest exist: an ornate crest is to be used when it appears larger than 30mm; a simpler crest should be used when reproduced at a size smaller than 30mm.
• Use of the UM ceremonial crest is reserved exclusively for the following: letterhead of the Office of the Rector; marketing material for events organised by/for the Office of the Rector; graduation ceremonies; graduate certificates awarded during the graduation ceremonies; Honoris Causa ceremonies; Gateway building (GW) entrance window.
• PANTONE® 872C CMYK O 25 56 51; PANTONE® 200C; CMYK 3 100 70 12
• When using the ornate crest at a minimum size with the UM line word mark, the size of the wordmark should be 8mm (based on the height of the letter U). Both are to be resized by the same percentage
• When using the simple crest at a minimum size with the UM line word mark, the size of the wordmark should be 5mm (based on the height of the letter U). Both are to be resized by the same percentage
• The ceremonial crest can be placed top-left or centre-left aligned within a layout. Any other alignment is not permitted
• When the crest is placed at the top-left, the wordmark is to be placed either at the opposite corner, centre-right aligned with the centre of the crest, OR at the bottom-left corner, left-aligned like the crest
• When the crest is centre-left aligned, the word mark should be placed at the bottom-left corner.
• As illustrated in the examples on this page, a detail of the outline of the ceremonial crest can be utilised for graduation ceremonies/Honoris Causa material. The detail should appear in PANTONE® 872C, or its CMYK equivalent. It is used only when the UM word mark is positioned at the bottom-left corner. The print material for graduations/Honoris Causa should have very similar design layouts, including the covers which need to be in two-colour Pantone where, if the event dates are not printed during the same run, CMYK black can be used for the dates. This ceremonial crest detail cannot be used for any other item apart from graduation/ Honoris Causa and Rectorate material.
• Primary colours of the stylised UM design icon are PANTONE® Black C or 872C including the UM wordmark in Pantone 200C, and their CMYK equivalents. Pantone® 872C should be used only on white backgrounds, while the black version can be used on white and very light­coloured plain backgrounds. The UM word mark should always appear in red when using the gold or black versions of the UM design icon. The background should not interfere with clarity or readability of the UM design icon. This is the preferred usage of the UM design icon.
• All the colours in the UM colour palette (see p.38) can be used for the UM part of the design icon and the two lines beneath. However in this case the UM word mark is only permitted in two colours: white and black.
• Colours on the darker end of the palette are used in conjunction with the black version of the UM logo word mark and can be applied on white or light-coloured plain backgrounds.
• Colours on the lighter end of the palette are used in conjunction with the white version of the UM logo word mark and can be applied on black or dark-coloured plain backgrounds.
• No kind of pattern or embellishment should be placed behind the design icon, neither on top nor within the clear space outlined on the previous page. The UM design icon cannot be filled in or made opaque, neither edited in any other way except for resizing down to minimum size limit.
• The UM logo word mark and the two lines can only be only removed when the UM logo is used in the same instant as the UM design icon (e.g. the prospectus). The rest of the above guidelines apply to such instances as well.
• Pantone® 200C, P200, CMYK 31007012, RGB 186 12 47, HEX/HTML BAOC2F
• Pantone® PROCESS BLACK C, CMYK 0 0 0 100, RGB 000, HEX/HTML 000000
• Pantone® 872C, CMYK 0 25 56 51, RGB 133 113 77, HEX/HTML 85714D
• The official colour palette can be used by all faculties, institutes, centres and schools falling under UM, including Degree+, which also has colour c3 as its own brand colour.
• All branded items for offices and other entities excluding Degree+ must use the official UM red and not the other colours.
• Colour combinations and pairings: c9 c11, c4, c10, c17, c6, c8, c2, c7, c19, c4, c17, c2, c16, c15, c14, c3 c24, c22, c15
• Photography is key to portraying the culture, diversity and vibrant campus life of the University of Malta. Malta and, to this end, the way in which a subject is photographed must reflect the spirit of the brand.
• All models should be given a consent form to sign prior to participating in a photoshoot. You can request soft copies of the consent forms by sending an email to info@um.edu.mt.
• During photoshoots conducted in specialised/hazardous environments such as laboratories and testing rooms, the photographer must ensure that all models wear the safety/recommended clothing and use the equipment correctly, under professional supervision if required.
• Photos should be composed of mainly a warm palette wherever possible, although in some environments such as scientific laboratories, it is understandable that the photo will have a colder colour composition.
• Make the most of natural light and try planning the photoshoots when good weather is expected: plenty of natural light, warm sunlight rays, light shadows and play of light give a lively warmth to the picture.
• Photos should look or be as natural as possible: - the staging should not look obvious on camera - the models should not look straight into the camera - poses should be relaxed and natural, not artificial and uncomfortable - the expressions need to look sincere and spontaneous - the photo editing should be minimal - wherever possible, a diverse group of models should participate in the photoshoot to represent: different nationalities, ages, racial ethnicities, religions, dis/abilities, weight, height and generic outward appearance.
• Sunglasses (not glasses) are allowed if the model is alone, if all models have sunglasses, or if the models are not speaking or interacting with each other. The option of not wearing sunglasses is preferred.
• Heavy or very shiny jewellery is not allowed during photoshoots. Tattoos (unless they have negative connotations) and piercings are welcome.
• Clothing should be unbranded where possible (or the photo taken in a way that the brand can be easily edited out of the image). No harsh/violent/ insulting/racial language or any kind of imagery with negative connotations on clothing is permitted during photoshoots.
• Photos are to be taken in very high resolution (300dpi) and in a large format (4000px height [portrait] or width [landscape] minimum) in order to be suitable for large-scale printing such as pull-ups and billboards.
• Text can be added to the photos and must be in Lato or Cera Pro®. Any text should appear on the left-hand side of the photograph. Photographers should ideally be informed of this in advance so as to plan the photographs accordingly. If this is not possible and the photo does not have a very light/dark area to the left, text can be added by: - applying a shape from the list inspired by the rubble walls (refer to p. 30) at an opacity not greater than 70% in one of the brand colours (as displayed on p. 38) and applying the text, left-aligned in black (K100) or in one of the colours of the brand belonging to the dark palette, depending on what best suits the colour composition of the image. OR - inserting a light flare to enhance the image (refer to p. 43) and applying the text, left-aligned in black (K100_ or in one of the colours of the brand belonging to the dark palette, depending on what best suits the colour composition of the image.
• Ideally each scene should be photographed both horizontally and vertically in order to cater for different possible uses. An equally good number of both horizontal and vertical photos should be available by the end of each photoshoot.
• Any clutter or rubbish should be removed and the area should be clean. Check if the surrounding objects/environment are in a good, adequate state (no peeling paint, broken chairs, paper/dirt on walls etc.).
• Green areas, scenery backdrop and minimal environments are preferred over buildings and busy areas. Keep monuments and strange structures out of the photography as much as possible. Guide the attention through appropriate positioning of the models in the current environment.
• The subject need not be in the middle of the image; you can stick to the rule of thirds. However we believe correct representation comes in different forms. (See photographic examples below).
• The UM brand is evolving into a much more fluid, organic and youthful entity, and this allows freedom in using different angles when taking a photograph - the more unusual and expressive, the more interesting the photo. Generic photography rules still apply and angles should be appropriate, also taking the kind of clothing and the models’ pose into consideration. Some examples below show the kind of photos that resonate with our brand.
• The subject can be fully integrated in the photo, partly or even omitted from the photo, especially in cases where the image needs to represent a taught subject, a skillset, material/tools being used or the surrounding environment, or even other subjects in the room, rather than the subject closest to the lens. A close-up photo of the model to capture that split-of-a-second emotion or a macro of an object are also viable, interesting options, as long as they are taken professionally.
• When focusing on a subject the background subjects need to be blurred out according to distance.
• Emphasis on a particular subject can be created with a play of light. As long as the photo has balance in lighting and is not too dark or blinding it is correct. Natural light is always preferred to artificial light, however it also depends on the weather and whether the photo is taken inside or outside.
• Creating contrasts in colours through lighting or just choosing an interesting angle for contrast between light and shadow are also viable options. Lighting in photographs should not be harsh, high-key or unbalanced.
• University of Malta logo for copyright: The UM logo need not appear on the photos if they are used in a UM publication or documents with the UM logo. In third party publications, social media usage, any online uploads and any other channel where the UM logo does not appear at the same instance as the photo, the UM logo should be added left-aligned at the top- or bottom-left corner in white or black (K 100) at a minimum of 30% opacity and a maximum of 70% opacity in order to ensure legibility while not attracting attention away from the photo.
• Keep editing to a minimum. The efforts taken to keep photos as natural as possible - especially when it comes to lighting - are easily erased through too much editing. Put a lot of thought into capturing the subject, so editing will always be a minor issue and fidelity to the original is maintained as much as possible.
• Remove any kind of visible branding on clothing, bags and any other item.
• Photo filter: always needs to be applied: Image > Adjustments > Photo Filter… > Warming Filter (85) > Set at 25%
• Light flare: optional: Sometimes a light flare adds character to a photo or that missing spark. It can also serve as a light-enough area if text needs to be inserted. There are three different light flares available. To insert: 1. Open the photo you need to edit on PS 2. Choose the light flare you deem most appropriate 3. Place light flare on photo. Ctrl/Command - T to Transform Light Flare 4. Resize, rotate and position as necessary 5. Change the light flare layer to Screen 6. You’re done!
• Colour-correction: keep in mind the warm palette when colour-correcting your photos. Apply colour-correction after the Warming filter in A.
• Other colour: sepia or black and white are two other accepted formats of photography, however the touch of warm colour should be applied either through sunlight or by adding a light flare. Use of plain black and white is not permitted.
• The models should not be posing in a fake, acted-out manner; the photos need to be as natural as possible
• Photos cannot be captured with models looking or smiling at the camera
• The models should be engaged in conversation or actively doing something, not just staring around aimlessly
• Photos which are not in line with the guidelines stipulated on the previous pages should not be chosen
• Any photo or image which has the traits of the photos below cannot be used for UM purposes

Iconography

• Typicons                         WHERE SHOULD THEY BE USED? • On any material designed with the UM brand, where it is possible to replace words such as Tel. and Email with the above icons to refer to contact details.

Layout And Composition

• The concept has Maltese cultural roots, originating from the idea of the rubble wall, which is a very common sight in Malta. It consists of irregular, organic shapes which the designer is not tied to use as is, but can mold into the layout in order to create flow and also consistency without the design appearing repetitive. Even if using the same shape as a starting point, the designer can build or extract designs which differ from one another yet clearly correlate with each other. This approach is completely different from the old design methodology, which mostly consisted of block upon block of colour or information.
• The alignment of all text including titles, headers and sub-headers should be left-aligned. Exceptions include the sender details on official letterheads and any third party logos which can be placed either at bottom-left or bottom-right corners. The Balance Ragged Lines setting for paragraphs in Adobe InDesign is recommended.
• Headers must be in Cera PRO©, Bold, black at 60% tint.
• Sub-headers must be in Lato, Bold, black.
• Body or main text must be in Lato, Heavy, black.
• Contact details must be in Lato, Bold, black with the relevant Typicons icon in front.
• In cases where Cera PRO© and Lato are not available and Calibri has to be used, the headers should be in Bold between 16 and 18 point size and the sub-headers also in Bold between 13 and 15 point size. The main text should be in Calibri Regular between 8 and 11 point. All text should be in black. Contact icons should be converted into words.
• Whenever possible all documents should be passed through the Design section of the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office for approval of the format and other design aspects.
• All marketing material such as brochures, flyers, leaflets etc. should be created by the Design section of the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office to ensure consistency and full adherence to the UM brand.
• For more detailed guidelines regarding several marketing items such as brochures, flyers and posters, refer to Section 3 (p.49).
• Brochures are available in A4, AS and A6, and may consist of four or more pages. They follow a similar layout to those shown in the examples on the right.
• Only one colour chosen from the official UM palette for the whole brochure is allowed. Each F/I/C/S may choose to stick to one colour for all of its brochures or may vary the colours.
• On the cover, the name of the faculty, department and course are displayed together with a main image which represents the subject matter of the brochure. A very short 3-6 word quote or header may be added.
• The inside layout of the brochure will change according to the information and images provided.
• The information should be provided as a Word document in proper format showing titles and sections as required, while the images should be sent separately as high resolution (at least 2MB), large-format JPEGs. Images can also be obtained from shutterstock.com.
• Testimonials, infographics and quotes can also be included in the brochure.
• The back cover should feature a compulsory short paragraph about the University, and below it another short paragraph about the F/1/C/S or department. Relevant contact information and address/es should be placed at the bottom.
• In the case of a course or event being held in conjunction with another entity, the University paragraph should be removed to be replaced with a short description about the third party in question.
• All brochures must be designed and approved by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office.
• Flyers are available in AS and A6 and can be printed either on one or both sides. They must follow the brand guidelines in terms of design and logo placement.
• Logo or sub-brand logo should be placed on the top-left corner on the front.
• Only one colour (and its tints) chosen from the official UM palette should be used for any one flyer. Each F/1/C/S may choose to use the same colour for all of its flyers or may vary the colours.
• A main image which represents the subject matter of the flyer should be placed on the front.
• The title should be in Cera PRO in the colour chosen for the flyer, while the body text should be in Lato.
• The information should be provided as a Word document in proper format showing titles and sections as required while the images should be sent separately as high resolution (at least 2MB), large-format JPEGs. Images can also be obtained from shutterstock.com.
• Testimonials, infographics and quotes should be placed on the back of the flyer.
• Changes to the layout may be permitted to accommodate the amount of text and imagery provided. However the design elements must follow the organic style of the brand.
• In the case of a course or event held in conjunction with another entity, the third party logos should be featured on the back of the flyer, evenly spaced at the bottom. On a one-sided flyer, they should be placed evenly spaced at the bottom.
• All flyers should be designed and approved by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office.
• Posters can be designed for digital screens installed around campus and for print. They are ideal for advertising courses and events. The examples below show a typical layout.
• The logo or sub-brand logo should beplaced at the top-left corner.
• Up to two colours from the official UM colour palette can be chosen together with a main image.
• The title should be in Cera PRO in the darkest colour chosen for the screen, while the body text should be in Lato.
• The information should be provided as a Word document in proper format showing titles and sections as required while the images must be sent separately in high resolution, large-format (at least 2MB) JPEGs. Images can also be obtained from shutterstock.com.
• Changes to the layout may be permitted to accommodate the amount of text and imagery provided, however the design elements should follow the organic style of the brand.
• In the case of a course or event held in conjunction with another entity, the third party should feature at the bottom-left corner of the text. It should be aligned with the logo and evenly spaced, leaving enough room for the main image.
• All digital and print posters must be approved by the Marketing, Communications and Alumni Office prior to circulation and are also uploaded on the screen by the Office.
• Event programmes are designed according to the format shown on the right.
• The preferred size for comfortable reading is is A4. If opting for an AS format, the names of speakers cannot be included unless it is a short or two-sided programme.
• Having an image on the front is optional.
• The general or sub-brand UM logo should be placed on the left and third part logos can be placed to the right of the UM logo or at the bottom starting from the left corner.
• Invitations can be left open for the guests’ names to be added later, or they may be printed in advance.
• The standard size of UM invitations is 210x100mm. The height can vary to accommodate more information.
• The generic or sub-brand UM logo is placed on the left; third party logos appear to the right of the UM logo starting from the right corner.
• No images can be inserted.
• All programmes and invites must follow the official University template as illustrated on this page.

Videographic Style

• Video projects being produced for the purposes of promoting the University of Malta (UM), must observe to the UM brand. The following guidelines are to be consulted before production begins, and should be adhered to throughout the entire production process.
• The Marketing, Communications and Alumni Office provides filming and editing services for the production of short marketing videos on behalf of the University of Malta. Examples include: • The promotion of research projects • The promotion of courses • Generic promotional videos for a faculty/ institute/centre/school • Events coverage
• Video project requests are to be made via the official UM Marketing Materials Request Form accessed through: um.edu.mt/marketingmaterialrequests
• The entire process of producing a video is divided into four stages: • planning and pre-production • production • post-production • approval and distribution
• The Marketing, Communications and Alumni Office can provide assistance and support in the production of these videos. Whether filming and editing is undertaken by this Office or outsourced, an initial meeting must be set up to discuss the best way forward. This will also allow the interested party to make sure that the visual style of the finished product is in line with the University’s brand guidelines
• The main aim of video-based promotional material is primarily to serve as a teaser, whereby the content is presented in a dynamic and engaging way without any excess information
• Most videos are uploaded online via the University of Malta YouTube channel and social media platforms
• To this effect, it is important to note that attractive visuals, conciseness and a clear message are key to a successful video
• It is also imperative that all involved parties (such as, in the case of a collaboration between Faculties or different departments) agree beforehand about the content of the video and the primary message behind it
• The focus of particular promotional videos should centre on human aspects, and experiences. People’s thoughts and perspectives supersede all other technical content or details.
• All video content must be recorded in High Definition (Full HD)/1080p or higher (such as 2K or 4K), and at a frame rate of 24 or 25fps. (Footage recorded at 50 or 60fps is to be used only in special circumstances)
• When recording subjects for interviews, the rule of thirds should apply. Correctly centering subjects in the middle of the frame is also acceptable
• Allow enough headroom (the space between the top part of the frame and the person’s head)
• Good composition will give the video a more professional look and will enhance the overall experience of the viewer
• Other practical rules, such as no distracting backgrounds and steady shots, apply.
• When filming outdoors, make sure there are no harsh shadows or bright reflections on the subject’s face or any other areas within the frame
• Avoid filming in low light conditions, especially when indoors.
• If filming takes place indoors, make use of natural light by recording beside a window, or utilise other light sources to improve the picture quality
• Choose your angles wisely. Avoid filming your subjects against bright light sources – move the camera or the subjects accordingly if necessary
• Sound is an essential part of video production. Audio quality is sometimes more important than the visuals themselves, and the proper steps must be taken to ensure that any interviews or voice-over clips are recorded with clarity.
• Avoid noisy environments or large indoor spaces with a strong echo.
• Videos should be entirely monolingual (English or Maltese) whenever possible.
• When marketing for international students English is the preferred choice.
• Except in special circumstances (such as a talk or non-promotional video), the total duration of each feature should not exceed two minutes.
• Promotional videos should contain a mixture of interviews (such as testimonials) and visual material (referred to as cutaways) that clearly demonstrate the subject/s being discussed
• For videos promoting a department, course, etc., at least 1 student (past or current) should be included to help boost the experiential aspect
• A maximum of three speakers is considered the most convenient number of interviews to be featured in a video
• Participants must speak clearly and preferably not be camera-shy.
• Smartphones are a good tool for capturing clips. A smartphone must be held in the horizontal position when recording video clips. Footage should not be recorded with a vertically-held smartphone.
• Appropriate dress code should be adhered to. If filming is taking place in laboratories or other specialized venues, ensure that the required clothing and/or safety equipment is worn
• Consent formswill be given to staff and students appearing in the video. These forms need to be filled and signed by all individuals (both background and main subjects).
• Careful preparation during the planning and production stages will ensure a smoother editing process
• Story is at the heart of any good production, and is essential in making sure that the final product is well­received by the target audience
• The YouTube Audio Library provides a range of free music and sound effects
• Make sure that music tracks or other sound effects are copyright-free, or that appropriate credit is given where due
• Raw footage filmed by the Marketing, Communications and Alumni Office can be handed over to the relevant entity to oversee the editing stage, as long as the final video follows the University’s brand guidelines
• Appropriate URL links and contact information must be provided towards the end of the video
• All University-related videos must conclude with the correct UM logo on a plain white background.
• All videos, whether produced in-house or outsourced, need to be passed on to the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Relations Office for approval before publication
• Videos promoting courses will also need to be passed on to the Registrar for approval
• Once uploaded online, the video can be shared by utilising the URL link or embedded on a page by using the embed code provided by YouTube or other social media platforms
• No further changes can be made to the video once it has been approved and uploaded.

Corporate Email

• To guarantee uniformity in our communication, personal signatures on all um.edu.mt email accounts should conform to a standard template. The signature is meant to briefly give information about an employee’s role at the University.
• The default font for Google Accounts, Arial (Sans Serif) should be used in email communication.
• Email signature template Name Credentials Designation 1 Designation 2 Faculty/Institute/Centre/School/Office name Room, Building Tel: +356 2340 3864
• To access your email signature template send an email to info@um.edu.mt. You will receive an email with a ready-made template that you can copy and paste into the Signature box (which can be found by accessing the GMail settings panel) and edit with your details.
• Arial (Sans Serif) Size: Normal, Bold Arial (Sans Serif) Size: Small, Regular Arial (Sans Serif) Size: Small, Bold Arial (Sans Serif) Size: Small, up to 3 designations Arial (Sans Serif) Size: Small, up to 3 lines Prefix: Arial (Sans Serif) Small, Regular Remaining digits: Arial (Sans Serif) Small, Bold
• 15mm, 0.75 point, 50% black
• 15x15px, RGB 300dpi, with active links
• 170x60px, RGB 150dpi, linking to um.edu.mt

Stationery

• A complete set of stationery items has been designed using the UM brand for consistent communication, including new envelopes, letterheads, business cards, With Compliments slips and invitations. All stationery must follow the templates designed by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office.
• All official UM stationery is designed by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office and hard copies are produced by the Printing Unit at the University.
• Letterheads, envelopes, business cards and With Compliments slips can be ordered directly from the Printing Unit of the University via printing-unit@um.edu.mt.
• For the design of letterheads, rubberstamps and invitations, send an email to info@um.edu.mt and request a sample.
• A list of the branded envelope sizes available for order
• All the details displayed on the sample business card above are compulsory, except for the academic details and the personal mobile number, A maximum of two designations with their respective faculties, departments, offices and units is allowed, Only the information content can be edited, Business cards can only be printed on one side in Pantone 200C.
• All letterheads must follow the samples shown above, Any third party or sub-entity logos can be added at the bottom­right corner: in this case only, the red line at the bottom should be removed, Only the UM generic logo is used on letterheads and all information is compulsory, The information layout for F/I/C/S and offices or other entities differs, Direct webpage URLs are limited to the F/I/C/S and offices in the following format: www.um.edu.mt/location Pages whose URLs are longer than one directory should be inserted as www.um.edu.mt.
• For departments within F/I/C/S, the direct link to the respective F/I/C/S webpage should be listed (as the above example for the department withint the Faculty of Engineering shows).
• Letterheads are also available as an editable Word file for digital correspondence (request access at info@um.edu.mt) while hard copies must be printed by the University Printing Unit to ensure consistency,
• There are three rectangular UM rubber stamp sizes in total, of differing heights according to the number of lines. Rubber stamps must always be rectangular in shape -no other sizes or shapes are permitted.
• The UM logo’s height must be 12mm, remaining unchanged in all sizes.
• A clear space of 5mm should be left between the logo and the entity name.
• Entity names are to appear in uppercase, Cera PRO® Bold, 8.5pt on 10pt line spacing. Names are to be left-aligned with the edge of the logo and written in the same line format as the sub-brand logos.
• Rubber stamps must only use black ink.
• Send an email to info@um.edu.mt requesting a rubber stamp template to know what details are required. Please specify whether you need a F/1/C/S, office, entity or department stamp or a personalised rubber stamp (refer to next page) when sending the email request.
• Notepads are available in A4 and AS size, and can be printed either in colour or in black and white. When printing in black and white the black version of the logo or sub-brand logos should be used. The red CMYK version must be used when printing in colour.
• Notepads can either be lined or plain and third party logos can also be inserted starting at the bottom-right corner, as the example below shows.
• The details to the right of the logo should be left-aligned, in Cera PRO font and should consist of the address, telephone number/s, email and link. They should follow the same format as the letterheads (please refer to p. 53). The format of the notepads cannot be changed or printed in any other manner.
• Send an email to info@um.edu.mt requesting your notepads and specifying which details are required. Please specify the kind of notepad you need according to these guidelines.
• Diaries are available in AS and A6. The AS format comes in two options: one day per page or one week per view, while the A6 uses the format of one week per view. The cover is dark red as per supplier and the logo together with the link are printed in gold leaf on the front. The relevant year is printed on the spine. The font Cera PRO is used throughout.
• The Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office order the diaries each year. Send an email to info@um.edu.mt to request your diaries. This is subject to availabilty.
• The corporate pen is white with printing in UM red, CMYK. No other colours for pens are permitted. The UM word mark is used due to size limitations -the logo and sub-brand logos cannot be used in this case.
• Pens and pencils for F/1/C/S are white and must be printed as specified on the right. The University URL and the name of F/1/C/S are in Cera PRO Medium. The size of the UM word mark and URL needs to be the same on all pens and the size of the UM word mark needs to be the same on all pencils.
• Due to space limitations, pens and/or pencils for departments are not permitted, neither is the placement of third party logos or any other graphics other than those specified on this page.
• You can order the design of your pens and pencils by sending an email to the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office at info@ um.edu.mt including the F/I/C/S you are listed under.
• The design of the corporate folder follows the style of the organic shapes which illustrate our brand (p.30). The size shown below is the most commonly used, however the same folder design can be customised for smaller or bigger folders, following standard A paper sizes. This is available for all offices, entities and F/1/C/S, and should be used for any official UM event or purpose. If you have a specific request or query send an email to info@um.edu.mt for more information.
• Name tags are important for UM official events, classes and conferences abroad. Labels are to be used for UM stock, class apparatus, exhibitions and stands. Logo size and position on labels and name tags should remain as is. Contact info@um.edu.mt for more information.
• All name tags issued for University staff and students for official UM events must follow the layout on the right. Third party logos are optional.
• All labels issued for University staff and students must follow the layouts below; if no third party logos are present, the smaller label at 75x50mm must be used. All items belonging to University must be labelled to increase security and consistency.

Rubber Stamps

• There are three rectangular UM rubber stamp sizes in total, of differing heights according to the number of lines. Rubber stamps must always be rectangular in shape -no other sizes or shapes are permitted.
• The UM logo’s height must be 12mm, remaining unchanged in all sizes.
• A clear space of 5mm should be left between the logo and the entity name.
• Entity names are to appear in uppercase, Cera PRO® Bold, 8.5pt on 10pt line spacing. Names are to be left-aligned with the edge of the logo and written in the same line format as the sub-brand logos.
• Rubber stamps must only use black ink.
• Send an email to info@um.edu.mt requesting a rubber stamp template to know what details are required. Please specify whether you need a F/1/C/S, office, entity or department stamp or a personalised rubber stamp (refer to next page) when sending the email request.
• Rubber stamps can also be personalised, including the full name, up to three designations, department or office name and faculty name where relevant. The height measurement must be between 27 and 32mm, depending on the amount of information. The format and information hierarchy cannot be changed and academic credentials must not be added due to space and printing size limitations.

Notepads

• Notepads are available in A4 and AS size, and can be printed either in colour or in black and white. When printing in black and white the black version of the logo or sub-brand logos should be used. The red CMYK version must be used when printing in colour.
• Notepads can either be lined or plain and third party logos can also be inserted starting at the bottom-right corner, as the example below shows.
• The details to the right of the logo should be left-aligned, in Cera PRO font and should consist of the address, telephone number/s, email and link. They should follow the same format as the letterheads (please refer to p. 53). The format of the notepads cannot be changed or printed in any other manner.
• How to order notepads Send an email to info@um.edu.mt requesting your notepads and specifying which details are required. Please specify the kind of notepad you need according to these guidelines.

University Diaries

• Diaries are available in AS and A6. The AS format comes in two options: one day per page or one week per view, while the A6 uses the format of one week per view. The cover is dark red as per supplier and the logo together with the link are printed in gold leaf on the front. The relevant year is printed on the spine. The font Cera PRO is used throughout.
• The Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office order the diaries each year. Send an email to info@um.edu.mt to request your diaries. This is subject to availabilty.

Corporate Pens And Pencils

• The corporate pen is white with printing in UM red, CMYK. No other colours for pens are permitted. The UM word mark is used due to size limitations -the logo and sub-brand logos cannot be used in this case.
• Pens and pencils for F/1/C/S are white and must be printed as specified on the right. The University URL and the name of F/1/C/S are in Cera PRO Medium. The size of the UM word mark and URL needs to be the same on all pens and the size of the UM word mark needs to be the same on all pencils.
• Due to space limitations, pens and/or pencils for departments are not permitted, neither is the placement of third party logos or any other graphics other than those specified on this page.
• You can order the design of your pens and pencils by sending an email to the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office at info@ um.edu.mt including the F/I/C/S you are listed under.

Corporate Folders And Folder Design

• The design of the corporate folder follows the style of the organic shapes which illustrate our brand (p.30). The size shown below is the most commonly used, however the same folder design can be customised for smaller or bigger folders, following standard A paper sizes. This is available for all offices, entities and F/1/C/S, and should be used for any official UM event or purpose. If you have a specific request or query send an email to info@um.edu.mt for more information.

Name Tags And Labels

• Name tags are important for UM official events, classes and conferences abroad. Labels are to be used for UM stock, class apparatus, exhibitions and stands. Logo size and position on labels and name tags should remain as is. Contact info@um.edu.mt for more information.
• All name tags issued for University staff and students for official UM events must follow the layout on the right. Third party logos are optional.
• All labels issued for University staff and students must follow the layouts below; if no third party logos are present, the smaller label at 75x50mm must be used. All items belonging to University must be labelled to increase security and consistency.
• Layout of a name tag L-Universita 15mm ta’ Malta Third party 60mm Cera PRO Bold, 14pt Prof. John Smith logo 1 15x13mm Cera PRO Medium, 10pt Designation 1 Cera PRO Regular, 10pt Faculty/Office Department Third party logo 2 15x13mm 80mm
• Layout of a generic label L-Universita 15mm ta’ Malta 50mm Cera PRO Bold, 12pt Main info Other information line 1 Cera PRO Other information line 2 Medium, 8pt Other information line 3 75mm
• Layout of a label with third party logos L-Universita 15mm ta’ Malta Third party logo 1 15x15mm 50mm Cera PRO Bold, 12pt Main info Third party logo 2 Cera PRO Other information line 1 15x15mm Medium, 9pt Other information line 2 100mm

Academic Calendar Planner And Newsletters

• The layout of the academic calendar planner must be as shown on the right and is available in sizes A3 and A4. This is updated every year by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office and can be sent directly to your inbox. Request your PDF copy by sending an email to info@um.edu.mt.
• Create your newsletter You can request the editable designed template of a newsletter by sending an email to the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office at info@um.edu.mt. Your email should include the F/I/C/S you are listed under to allow for the template to be customised with the relevant sub-brand. Fonts for the newsletter must be either Lato or Calibri and no underlining, hyphenation, highlighting or use of other colours other than those of the brand palette are allowed. The newsletter must be approved by the Office prior to circulation.

Brochures

• Brochures are available in A4, AS and A6, and may consist of four or more pages. They follow a similar layout to those shown in the examples on the right.
• Only one colour chosen from the official UM palette for the whole brochure is allowed. Each F/I/C/S may choose to stick to one colour for all of its brochures or may vary the colours.
• On the cover, the name of the faculty, department and course are displayed together with a main image which represents the subject matter of the brochure. A very short 3-6 word quote or header may be added.
• The inside layout of the brochure will change according to the information and images provided.
• The information should be provided as a Word document in proper format showing titles and sections as required, while the images should be sent separately as high resolution (at least 2MB), large-format JPEGs. Images can also be obtained from shutterstock.com.
• Testimonials, infographics and quotes can also be included in the brochure.
• The back cover should feature a compulsory short paragraph about the University, and below it another short paragraph about the F/1/C/S or department. Relevant contact information and address/es should be placed at the bottom.
• In the case of a course or event being held in conjunction with another entity, the University paragraph should be removed to be replaced with a short description about the third party in question.
• All brochures must be designed and approved by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office.

Flyers

• Flyers are available in AS and A6 and can be printed either on one or both sides. They must follow the brand guidelines in terms of design and logo placement.
• Logo or sub-brand logo should be placed on the top-left corner on the front.
• Only one colour (and its tints) chosen from the official UM palette should be used for any one flyer. Each F/1/C/S may choose to use the same colour for all of its flyers or may vary the colours
• A main image which represents the subject matter of the flyer should be placed on the front.
• The title should be in Cera PRO in the colour chosen for the flyer, while the body text should be in Lato.
• The information should be provided as a Word document in proper format showing titles and sections as required while the images should be sent separately as high resolution (at least 2MB), large-format JPEGs. Images can also be obtained from shutterstock.com.
• Testimonials, infographics and quotes should be placed on the back of the flyer.
• Changes to the layout may be permitted to accommodate the amount of text and imagery provided. However the design elements must follow the organic style of the brand.
• In the case of a course or event held in conjunction with another entity, the third party logos should be featured on the back of the flyer, evenly spaced at the bottom. On a one-sided flyer, they should be placed evenly spaced at the bottom.
• All flyers should be designed and approved by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office.

Digital And Print Posters

• Posters can be designed for digital screens installed around campus and for print. They are ideal for advertising courses and events. The examples below show a typical layout.
• • The logo or sub-brand logo should beplaced at the top-left corner.
• • Up to two colours from the official UM colour palette can be chosen together with a main image.
• • The title should be in Cera PRO in the darkest colour chosen for the screen, while the body text should be in Lato.
• • The information should be provided as a Word document in proper format showing titles and sections as required while the images must be sent separately in high resolution, large-format (at least 2MB) JPEGs. Images can also be obtained from shutterstock.com.
• • Changes to the layout may be permitted to accommodate the amount of text and imagery provided, however the design elements should follow the organic style of the brand.
• • In the case of a course or event held in conjunction with another entity, the third party should feature at the bottom-left corner of the text. It should be aligned with the logo and evenly spaced, leaving enough room for the main image.
• An editable template with guidelines is available and you can request it by sending an email to info@um.edu.mt
• All digital and print posters must be approved by the Marketing, Communications and Alumni Office prior to circulation and are also uploaded on the screen by the Office.

Event Programmes And Invitations

• Event programmes are designed according to the format shown on the right.
• • The preferred size for comfortable reading is is A4. If opting for an AS format, the names of speakers cannot be included unless it is a short or two-sided programme.
• • Having an image on the front is optional.
• The general or sub-brand UM logo should be placed on the left and third part logos can be placed to the right of the UM logo or at the bottom starting from the left corner.
• Invitations can be left open for the guests’ names to be added later, or they may be printed in advance.
• • The standard size of UM invitations is 210x100mm. The height can vary to accommodate more information.
• • The generic or sub-brand UM logo is placed on the left; third party logos appear to the right of the UM logo starting from the right corner.
• No images can be inserted.
• Event programmes and invitations are designed by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni office. Submit your request through um.edu.mt/ marketingmaterialrequests. We would require a Word document containing all the information to be displayed on the programme or invitations and any images at high-resolution (at least 2MB) JPEGs. All programmes and invites must follow the official University template as illustrated on this page.

Pull Ups

• Pull-ups can be utilised for advertising courses and events, as a branding stand placed in front of offices or sections within a building, as exhibition information or introductory panels and also as brand presence at conferences. Pull-up designs must follow the guidelines below:
• The standard size of a UM pull up is 2000x850mm.
• The University general logo or sub-brand logo must always feature on the top-left corner of the pull-up. In the case of offices, the name of the office should be placed at the top-right corner opposite the logo as shown on the first example on the right.
• In the case of pull-ups with F/1/C/S sub-brand logos (excluding departments), third party logos can be placed at the top-right corner, aligned with the sub-brand logo.
• In the case of pull-ups for offices or other entities of UM or with a sub-brand logo which includes the department, third party logos must be placed at the bottom, under the contact details and evenly spaced.
• Up to 2 colours from the official UM palette can be used. All the text on the pull-up must be in Cera PRO; the main header can be in black or in the darkest colour chosen for the pull-up.
• All pull-ups should be designed and approved by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office.
• The content should be sent as a Word document and the images sent separately as very high resolution (300dpi), large-format (at least 10MB) JPEGs.
• As shown in the examples on the right, the layout is flexible enough to accommodate different amounts of information.
• Not all elements have a fixed position; contact details can be moved beneath the information and the image can be placed at the bottom or at the top of the pull-up.
• Testimonials and quotes can be inserted in a pull-up. Keeping text to the essential minimum is recommended.
• Information hierarchy must follow as per the examples shown on the right.
• All pull-ups should be designed and approved by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office. ubmit your request through um.edu.mt/marketingmaterialrequests You can also ask for images to be downloaded from www.shutterstock.com if you do not have access to very high-resolution, large-format images.

University Merchandise

• The size of bookmarks should be 60x175mm, printed on 300gsm satin or semi-gloss paper.
• Bookmarks must be printed in full colour, and whenever possible on both sides.
• The front must always feature the logo, centred at the top. Only the F/1/C/S sub-brand logos and generic logo can be used; sub-brand logos, including those of departments, are not permitted. The use of a main image is recommended, but remains optional.
• The layout should follow the UM brand style. Any bookmark design must be approved by the Marketing, Communcations& Alumni Office prior to printing.
• The model of mug used for merchandising can be ordered through MUHC.
• A template is available for the mug artwork and design must be supplied and approved by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office.
• The front of the mug should always feature the UM stylised icon in any colour from the official UM palette and should be applied according to the stylised UM icon guidelines (refer to p. 26).
• Mugs can also be personalised by adding the name of a F/1/C/S or department, or by including one’s full name and designation. Such designed should follow the layout and style shown below.
• Personalised details are to be printed on the back of the mug in black ink only.
• Lapel pins are available for staff to be worn as part of the work uniform and also on special UM occasions such as graduation ceremonies. Lapel pins featuring the former University logo or ceremonial crest should not be worn.
• All University lanyards must be white and printing on the lanyards must be in the official UM red. The official UM lanyards have the generic UM logo printed on them at intervals, separated by the homepage address link um.edu.mt. The F/1/C/S lanyards feature the generic UM logo separated by the name of the F/1/C/S. Department names cannot be listed on lanyards due to space limitations. Any other colour or design for lanyards is not permitted and all designs must be approved by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office.
• Only the types of flags shown on the right are permitted in conjunction with UM branding and the guidelines below.
• Official UM flags should always be white with the logo printed in official UM red.
• The large flag can only be used to feature the official UM logo.
• Sub-brand logos, including department names, may be used on the long vertical flags.
• Flags must be designed and approved by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office.
• Tote bags must be either black or white and if possible made of recycled cotton.
• The front should feature the UM stylised icon in one of the colours of the official UM colour palette and according to the UM stylised icon guidelines (refer to p. 26).
• Printing on the back of the tote bag is optional. The back may feature the name of the F/1/C/S and the department where applicable.
• If the bag is a supplementary merchandise item for an event being held in conjuction with another entity, the third party logo can also be placed on the back of the bag.
• Tote bags must be designed and approved by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office.
• Apart from the merchandise items described in this section of the University brand manual, other merchandise is also available for ordering from the MUHC, some of which is standardised and pre-designed. This includes: graduation and student merchandise such as - hoodies - t-shirts - caps - sports bags - string bags - frames - soft toys; corporate merchandise and gifts including - USB sticks - CD/DVD Covers - glasses cloth - scarves - ties - branded silk ribbon for tying up corporate UM gifts or embellishment.
• For further information regarding the design and ordering of merchandise send an email to info@um.edu.mt and info@muhc.edu.mt with your request.

Lapel Pins And Lanyards

• Lapel pins are available for staff to be worn as part of the work uniform and also on special UM occasions such as graduation ceremonies. Lapel pins featuring the former University logo or ceremonial crest should not be worn.
• All University lanyards must be white and printing on the lanyards must be in the official UM red. The official UM lanyards have the generic UM logo printed on them at intervals, separated by the homepage address link um.edu.mt. The F/1/C/S lanyards feature the generic UM logo separated by the name of the F/1/C/S. Department names cannot be listed on lanyards due to space limitations. Any other colour or design for lanyards is not permitted and all designs must be approved by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office.

Flags

• Only the types of flags shown on the right are permitted in conjunction with UM branding and the guidelines below.
• Official UM flags should always be white with the logo printed in official UM red.
• The large flag can only be used to feature the official UM logo.
• Sub-brand logos, including department names, may be used on the long vertical flags.
• Flags must be designed and approved by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office.

Tote Bags

• The University of Malta can also offer branded tote bags for students and staff alike. The design for tote bags must follow the guidelines below, as shown in the examples on the right.
• Tote bags must be either black or white and if possible made of recycled cotton.
• The front should feature the UM stylised icon in one of the colours of the official UM colour palette and according to the UM stylised icon guidelines (refer to p. 26).
• Printing on the back of the tote bag is optional. The back may feature the name of the F/1/C/S and the department where applicable.
• If the bag is a supplementary merchandise item for an event being held in conjuction with another entity, the third party logo can also be placed on the back of the bag.
• Tote bags must be designed and approved by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office.

Campus Map And Signage Design

• The Campus map gives the lay out of the whole Msida campus including all open spaces, car parks, meeting points, facilities and entities outside of campus which also form part of University.
• University signage is based on the numbering of the campus map which is updated by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office.
• Any changes to office names or locations must be forwarded to the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office by sending an email to info@um.edu.mt.
• The University’s exterior signage follows one particular style and the same use of materials to ensure consistency across campus.
• The signs are designed in two colours: 80% black (K) and PANTONE 200C. The logo does not feature on the signs as they are already located on campus. The UM wordmark on wall signs is featured at the bottom.
• The only exceptions to these design details include the following: • the main entrance sign of the University of Malta Junior College • the main entrance sign of the Gozo Campus • the Argotti Resource Centre sign • the Cottonera Resource Centre sign.
• All signage is produced and approved by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office. Any alternative signage will not be permitted and will be removed immediately.
• Currently a wayfinding project covering the University Msida campus is ongoing; kindly contact info@um.edu.mt to get the signage of your Faculty, Institute, Centre or School designed or if your office wall plaque needs to be updated.
• The University’s interior signage uses the same style and material as the exterior signage to ensure consistency across campus.
• The signs are designed in two colours: 80% black (K) and PANTONE 200C, except for wall room plaques which are printed in-house and follow a different design. Neither the logo nor the wordmark feature on these signs.
• A wayfinding project for the University’s Msida Campus is currently ongoing. Kindly contact info@um.edu.mt to have the signage in your faculty, institute, centre or school updated, or if your office wall plaque needs to be changed.

Exterior Signage

• The University’s exterior signage follows one particular style and the same use of materials to ensure consistency across campus.
• The signs are designed in two colours: 80% black (K) and PANTONE 200C. The logo does not feature on the signs as they are already located on campus. The UM wordmark on wall signs is featured at the bottom.
• The only exceptions to these design details include the following: • the main entrance sign of the University of Malta Junior College • the main entrance sign of the Gozo Campus • the Argotti Resource Centre sign • the Cottonera Resource Centre sign.
• All signage is produced and approved by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office. Any alternative signage will not be permitted and will be removed immediately.
• Ongoing signage revamp Currently a wayfinding project covering the University Msida campus is ongoing; kindly contact info@um.edu.mt to get the signage of your Faculty, Institute, Centre or School designed or if your office wall plaque needs to be updated.

Interior Signage

• The University’s interior signage uses the same style and material as the exterior signage to ensure consistency across campus.
• The signs are designed in two colours: 80% black (K) and PANTONE 200C, except for wall room plaques which are printed in-house and follow a different design. Neither the logo nor the wordmark feature on these signs.
• All signage is produced and approved by the Marketing, Communications & Alumni Office. Any alternative signage will not be permitted and will be removed immediately.
• A wayfinding project for the University’s Msida Campus is currently ongoing. Kindly contact info@um.edu.mt to have the signage in your faculty, institute, centre or school updated, or if your office wall plaque needs to be changed.

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