UW Web design guidelines

University Public Relations offers support for Web design, development, and content to help colleges, departments, and programs adopt UW’s integrated marketing concepts and basic Web page design. The following information is intended for Web site developers.

A standard for design, development, navigation, and support provides flexibility for colleges, departments, and programs while incorporating the university’s integrated marketing concept, adopted fall 2001, as an effort to enhance student recruitment, improve public perception about the institution, and increase fundraising.

Web Page Design Elements

The basic Web page design was developed for use on college, department, and program home pages. Basic elements include the UW global navigation bar, banner graphic area, site navigation bar, content area, and sidebar for contact information and other links.

The supported template layout uses a Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) to control the layout, text and colors on the page. This format promotes adherence to Web standards and Web accessibility guidelines. View the site template diagram
 

Typography Recommendations

Publications body copy and subheads are set in Garamond and Futura Lt., respectively, but UW Web design requires use of a default font.

Verdana is the default font designated in the cascading style sheet for body text, subheads, and display heads.

AuBauer Text Initials must be used for the university lettertype.

Bell Gothic should be used for the elements of key messages that run across the gradient pattern background – displayed in lower case.

Weiss is used specifically for New Thinking and other text elements on the title banner, display heads, pull quotes, and special effects.

Futura Lt. is used in the banner design for listing college, department or unit.

NOTE: Bell Gothic, Weiss and Futura Lt. are available for downloads here in PC and Mac versions.

Banners and Title Graphics

Several banner and title graphic background designs are available for viewing and downloading at: www.uwyo.edu/publicrelations/resources/templates

In addition, access special designs for Web sites by contacting the Web support staff or by going to: www.uwyo.edu/publicrelations/viscomm

Graphic Design and Writing Style Guidelines

University Web sites shall follow guidelines in UW’s Graphic Standards Manual when using institutional graphics. The Writing Style Manual provides standards for university writing style and consistency for news, publications, and Web sites. These manuals are available through the following Web sites:
www.uwyo.edu/publicrelations/resources
www.uwyo.edu/pubrel/publications/documents/graphicstandards/ (PDF)  

Selected images of the UW-Laramie campus or other university sites throughout Wyoming, facilities, faculty, staff, and students are available through the UW Publications Service photo collection. Colleges, departments, and programs that use faculty, staff, students, or other individuals for images on Web sites must obtain a model release. The release form is available at: www.uwyo.edu/publicrelations/resources/documents/modelrelease (doc)

UW Photo Service (www.uwyo.edu/publicrelations/photo) provides photographic support for the institution. Colleges, departments, and programs that use other photographers must obtain first-use or restricted-use photo releases:
www.uwyo.edu/publicrelations/resources/firstuse.pdf
www.uwyo.edu/publicrelations/resources/restricted (doc)

Minimal Content Guidelines

Minimal content guidelines for college, department, and program home Web pages are offered to ensure site visitors get the basic information and useful navigation tools they need. Each college, department, or program is encouraged to have its own permanent e-mail address (an individual’s address may change). Phone number, postal address, and e-mail address should be listed on the home page for contact purposes. Key marketing messages should be the focus of the home page. Colleges, departments, and programs should link to the equal opportunity clause (www.uwyo.edu/uw/disclaimer) on their home pages.

College Home Page Content

1. Name of college
2. Listing/links of departments and programs
3. Link to dean’s office and college administrative staff contact information
4. Link to college advising/request for information

Department and Program Home Page Content

1. Name of department
2. Name of college
3. Global UW Navigation bar including lettertype identifying University of Wyoming
4. Information about the department or program, with links to specific topics. Keep copy short; break up or bullet information whenever possible
5. Link to listing of department head or program director, faculty, and staff with phone number and e-mail addresses
6. Link to college home page

General Recommendations

1. Contact the University Public Relations Web support staff early in design and development planning.
2. Text should be consistent and accurate (see UW Writing Style Manual DOC).
3. Graphics must meet Web requirements for size and loading time. An incorrectly formatted graphic can cause a page to download slowly.
4. Web sites should strive to meet Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility design standards. The recommended UW Web templates follow these standards. For information, visit: www.webaim.org
5. Use the general UW Web site (www.uwyo.edu) when publicizing Web sites on the uwadmnweb or uwacadweb servers (use www.uwyo.edu/publicrelations instead of uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/publicrelations).
6. To simplify URLs, name home pages “default” or “index.” Browsers automatically recognize those pages without needing to type them in the URL (use www.uwyo.edu/publicrelations instead of www.uwyo.edu/publicrelations/index.asp).