Signage

Signage

 

Signage creates a cohesive and welcoming experience for anyone visiting our campus or off-campus locations. These spaces should feel connected to our brand, present information clearly and consistently and make navigating safe and easy. The design and placement of any signage on campus requires review by the University Sign Committee to ensure that it functions efficiently while minimizing visual clutter and maximizing brand consistency and affinity.

University Sign Committee

The University Sign Committee (USC) includes members from University Marketing & Brand Management (MBM), Facilities Management (FM), and Planning, Development & Construction (PD&C). Sign proposals must be reviewed and approved by the University Sign Committee to ensure safety, visual impact and brand consistency meet University standards.

The committee is available for early consultation on sign development to ensure there are no underlying issues from a brand, placement or construction standpoint, and to connect you with other committees such as Public Art based on your proposal. If you are planning a signage project, you can contact the committee by emailing Janice Simcoe.

Exterior Signage

Exterior sign design must follow brand guidelines for logo use, typography and color.  For detailed Exterior Signage Guidelines email brand@arizona.edu.

Exterior signage submissions must be approved by the USC prior to sign fabrication and include the following information:

  • Plan showing the proposed location and height and width of the sign(s)
  • Proposed materials for the signage and any plans for lighting
  • Sign(s) design proposal with measurements
  • Production specifications
  • Target date for installation and, if temporary signage, when the sign(s) will be removed

All signage projects must be funded by the college or department submitting the proposal.

Exterior signage submissions that are not standard approved templates (see Building Signage) can be emailed to Janice Simcoe. Please allow 10 business days for review.

Types of Exterior Signage:

Primary Building Entry Signs (free standing and located at the major public entrance to the facility) and Secondary Building Signs (at secondary entrances and off-campus buildings) are standard approved templates designed and created by Facilities Management Sign Shop. To request a sign for your building, fill out a request form or email FM-Signshop@distribution.arizona.edu

Proposals for any permanent signage to be affixed to a campus building must be approved by the USC. Please follow the submission instructions under Exterior Signage above to provide the details of your proposal.

Off-campus signage must include an official ‘Block A’ logo as provided by Marketing & Brand Management and be reproduced with the official colors of the logo. Multiple ‘Block A’ logos should not appear on the same face of a building exterior. If you need to access an official logo, please contact your Designated Marketing Lead.  If signage is proposed for a leased building, please reach out to Janice Simcoe for consultation with the USC.

As of November 2024, we have reached maximum capacity for historic and educational permanent signs on campus.  The Sign Committee will not be reviewing any new proposals at this time.  If there are any changes in capacity, the information will be updated here.

 

If you are developing signage that will use an existing outdoor space, the space plan must be submitted to Planning, Design & Construction via this form.

Temporary signage is reviewed by the USC to ensure a balance of signage on campus and consistency of design and execution. These are meant to be time-limited placements and, depending on the purpose and type of signage, viewable from a few days to a year as long as the signs are in excellent condition.

Temporary Signage Placements

1. Street Pole Banners (both on campus and on city of Tucson streets surrounding campus)

Locations: University Marketing & Brand Management has a list of all banners and available spaces. Before planning for street pole banners email Janice Simcoe for planning assistance. Submit street pole banner designs and proposed plans must be reviewed by the USC.

Examples of UArizona street pole banners

Banners must be made of durable materials, double-stitched pole pockets with supporting grommet and designs need to take into consideration the location, sign hardware, and vertical orientation and narrow width. Design copy should be limited and bold enough to see from the sidewalk or street. Visuals should also be bold enough to see clearly from driving or walking distance depending on the location. For details on street pole banner fabrication specs, email brand@arizona.edu.

City of Tucson street pole banners require permission from the city to be posted. Contact Luis Rocha, Director of Facilities Management Operations to assist with city approvals.

Facilities Management will provide banner maintenance which will require filling out a request form and providing an S# to cover all costs.

Hardware: All hardware necessary for hanging banners must be funded by the college or department. Facilities Management can assist with ordering the hardware based on the design and location.

Street pole banners should be replaced or taken down within a year to 18 months, depending on the condition of the banner and the effects of weather and the environment. Faded or tattered banners must be replaced or removed at the discretion of the USC.

2. Construction Fence Banners

These banners are used to cover building construction and engage walking traffic in the final exterior and interior design. Fencing can be very extensive in size and banners need to be flexible to meet the changing configurations of the contractor. Prolonged exposure to the elements can fade these banners over a period of time, so they should be checked and replaced as needed during the construction phase. “Wonder” and University-branded panels are available to integrate into construction fences as needed. Email brand@arizona.edu for more information.
 

Example of exterior construction signage

 

3. Building Banners

Banners that will be affixed to an on or off-campus building must be approved by the USC and Building Management. You must consider the proposed location, size, weight, method of attachment and exposure to the elements when designing these banners. The USC is available to consult in advance of developing a banner project, please email Janice Simcoe to schedule time for a consult.

4. Upcycling Banners

Banners that are no longer in use can potentially be upcycled. Email brand@arizona.edu for information.

Event Signage

Event and wayfinding signage design should follow the brand guidelines for use of logos, color and typography. Details on wayfinding an information signage for events can be found at Events. Photography and video release signage is available for your event, details on this signage can be found at Rights & Releases.

Exterior Signage Fabrication

The Facilities Management Sign Shop can assist with fabrication of signage for building exteriors. If the fabrication of signage is outside their capabilities they will provide vendor options to consider.

Leased space off campus has specific requirements and options, and PD&C will advise on the specifics for signage placement and installation. You may be beholden to the architectural firm for renovations and new construction, and PD&C will work with you within those contractural obligations.

Murals and Public Art

Public Art may include, but is not limited to: murals, sculptures, photography, drawings, film, prints, electronic media and mixed media. For details on Public Art submissions please download the Public Art Procedures and Policy. 

All requests should be given to the Chair of the PAAC in writing at least four months prior to the proposed installation date. The chair of the Public Art Advisory Committee is Olivia Miller at millero@arizona.edu.

Interior Signage

Standards for interior signage have been adopted to be used in all facilities that are state-owned or University-operated. These standards support the University brand, provide continuity throughout all campuses and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines.

The categories, design options, and actual product materials and design features have been chosen by University Marketing & Brand Management and Facilities Management Sign Shop for aesthetic, economic and maintenance reasons.

The majority of interior signage used by all University facilities will fall under four categories: Permanent, Temporary, Standard and Directional. For complete details on interior signage types, and the use of official University logos, fonts, color palettes and materials, please email brand@arizona.edu.

To request interior signage development and installation, contact Facilities Management Sign Shop or fill out this form (NetID required).

Land Acknowledgment Signs

Signs that feature the university Land Acknowledgment are available to install at major building entry points. These acrylic and vinyl signs are 18” x 24” and are installed by the Sign Shop. Consult with your building manager on placement and order using the Sign Service Request on the Sign Shop page (NetID required).

Land Acknowledgment Posters

Two poster sizes (11” x 17” and 8-½” x 11”) of the Land Acknowledgment are available to download from the Digital Asset Library along with the guidelines for placement of posters in any office area.

Posters can be professionally printed at Fast Copy. Under Products & Services click “Send us a file” and attach the PDF of the poster size(s) you need. It’s best to batch poster orders if possible.