Gryphon Brand Guide
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Introduction
We have rich stories to tell. This guide helps us express them effectively.
Under the direction of U of G’s Communications & Marketing (C&M) deparment, these guidelines have been crafted for every member of the Gryphon community tasked with telling our story, from communicators, writers, creatives, designers and visionaries.
Our brand is more than a logo. Our brand is who we are and who we aspire to be. It is the feelings we inspire in others through the promises we make to our community. Each of us are storytellers, and each story is an opportunity to inspire current and future generations to become a Gryphon. Every moment we share with our community offers an opportunity to reinforce the sense of belonging that makes the Guelph Gryphons so unique.
So, let’s do this together, as a community, as Gryphons. We hope these insights empower you to harness your creativity and build towards our common purpose to Improve Life.
NOTE: Guelph Gryphon brand assets can only be used by the Department of Athletics. Unless your unit/initiative is directly managed by the Department of Athletics, you are not allowed to utilize Guelph Gryphon brand assets in any context. Occasional exceptions may be granted, but must receive explicit permission from brandguide@uoguelph.ca. All units/initiatives that are not managed by the Department of Athletics should refer to the University of Guelph Brand Guide.
We are Gryphons
The Gryphon is a legendary creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion, admired for its combination of strength, courage, and wisdom. These attributes and the dual nature of the Gryphon embody the qualities we value here at the Department of Athletics.
We exist to benefit and support both the physical and mental well-being of our community through activity and engagement.
We aim to lead innovative and impactful programs, services, and experiences in sport, fitness and recreation and to foster a culture of excellence, inclusion, health and safety.
Our athletics brand should always strive to inspire and reflect our commitment to the service of others.
Accessibility
AODA Guidelines
An important aspect of these brand guidelines is to ensure our branded materials are accessible to our diverse audiences.
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) addresses barriers to achieve widespread accessibility for all Ontarians. There are five main standards for which legislation has been applied:
Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presented to users in ways that they can perceive. For example, non-text elements must include alternative forms of consumption such as captions for video projects or alternative text for embedded images.
Operable: User interface components and navigation must be functional for users in ways they can operate. For example, time-based media must be able to be paused to accommodate the varying times needed for proper comprehension.
Understandable: Information and user interface operation must be understandable. For example, information should be clear and concise, while avoiding jargon or unexplained abbreviations.
Robust: Content must be robust enough so that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of users and types of assistive technologies. For example, published PDF documents should be easily read and navigated by screen readers.
For a more complete understanding of these guidelines, visit www.aoda.ca.
On campus, you can seek help through the Digital Accessibility Resource Centre (DARC) which provides multi-media accessibility support to members of the U of G community through a variety of help services. You can visit Digital Accessibility Help Services for more information about the services they provide.
Accessible Branding
While the impact of high-quality branding cannot be understated, it is also important to note that many of these brand guidelines are intended to address both brand and accessibility standards. Some guidelines may feel restrictive when viewed solely in the context of brand performance but are required to ensure optimal and equitable access to all members of our community.
Brand Governance
Oversight
U of G’s Communications & Marketing (C&M) department is responsible for the management and protection of the Gryphon brand, utilizing the standards established in these guidelines to ensure integrity and consistency across all branded materials. If you are tasked with using or representing the Gryphon brand in any way, you are expected to thoroughly understand these brand guidelines.
The Gryphon brand and visual identity can only be utilized by university approved affiliates. If you are not an approved affiliate with the University, you must receive explicit permission from athletics.brandguide@uoguelph.ca to utilize our brand assets or name within any context.
Violations
A brand violation can be identified in any print or digital materials that are intended to represent and/or communicate our brand. Any content that fails to align with the standards outlined in this guide is considered a violation. This applies to misuse of brand assets or any other action with the potential to undermine the strength and unity of our brand.
If a brand violation occurs, those responsible will assume all costs associated with correcting the issue. U of G’s Communications & Marketing (C&M) department will work in collaboration with the responsible party to help determine necessary corrective actions, including the removal and/or redesign of branded materials.
Brand Support
Support
U of G’s Communications & Marketing (C&M) department is always willing to collaborate on branded projects and can support your next project in a variety of ways.
Contact
Please direct any questions about these guidelines or requests for support to athletics.brandguide@uoguelph.ca.
