We have collected some of the most common mistakes made on submitted items to serve as a checklist for departments to conduct before submitting items for review.
Spell Check
Always review to ensure there are no misspelled words.
Divisional Attribution
This includes official wordmark(s), departmental icon plus words, or a URL that ends in “sl.ua.edu” on promo items where space is limited.
Color Contrast
Check to make sure the color contrast is within required limits; the color contract checker is a helpful tool!
UA Branding
Never use orange, and don’t use houndstooth without permission.
SL Writing Best Practices
- Correct: John England Jr. Hall
(Incorrect: England Hall or John England Hall) - Correct: Student Center, UA Student Center, UASC when space is limited
(Incorrect: the Ferguson Center, the Ferg) - Correct: Ferguson Theater, Theater at the UA Student Center or Ferguson Theater at the UA Student Center
(Incorrect: Ferg Theater, Student Center Theater, UASC Theater) - Correct: Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium
(Incorrect: Bryant-Denny, Bryant-Denny Stadium)
Time Formatting
- Correct: a.m. / p.m.
(Incorrect: am/pm) - Eliminate “:00.”
Correct: 7 p.m.
(Incorrect: 7:00 p.m. or 7:00pm) - Only list “a.m.” and “p.m.” once.
Correct: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; 7-9 p.m.
(Incorrect: 7 p.m.-9 p.m.)
Trademark and Registered Symbols
Many phrases and words require trademark ™ and registered ® symbols (See UA Branding or the licensed verbiage below)
Elephant Graphics
There is an approved elephant graphic, but others may be acceptable if the trunk is pointed up.
Spacing and Proportions
- Ensure proper spacing between words and graphic elements.
- Never distort or stretch wordmarks, logos, identifiers or graphics.
URL Check
- Don’t use “https” or “http” on designs. Just include the link after the http/s.
- Never use URLs that end in “sa.ua.edu.” Instead, use the URL that ends in “sl.ua.edu.”
Licensed Verbiage
Use these lists as a reference for which phrases and words require trademark ™ or registered ® symbols. For a full list of trademark requirements and logo limitations, review the Alabama logos guide on rolltide.com.
Requires Registered ® symbol
- The University of Alabama®
- Alabama ® (as a reference for UA)
- Bama ®
- Crimson Tide ®
- Roll Tide ®
- Iron Bowl ®
- Where Legends Are Made ®
Requires TrademarkTM symbol
- UA TM
- Rammer Jammer TM
- Denny Chimes TM
- Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium TM
- Coleman Coliseum TM
- Big Al TM
- Crimson and White TM
- Tide TM
- A-Day TM
- RTR TM
Item-Specific Guidelines
- Digital signage: For divisional attribution, you may use your wordmark, your departmental icon + words or include “UA Student Life” spelled out on the design (if you need access to your official wordmarks or departmental icons, please reach out to your communications liaison).
- Social media: Not required for submission, and we recommend not using wordmarks on social, but please check for misspelled words and follow brand guidelines, best practices and accessibility requirements.
- Print flyers that stay internal to campus: An official wordmark is required. The Script A version of your wordmark is sufficient only if it is for on-campus use.
- Magazines/brochures/flyers that may be used with external audiences: The UAS System wordmark and your official department wordmark that includes UA and Student Life are required.
- Promo items: If there isn’t room for the wordmark or “UA Student Life” spelled out, then you can use the url that includes “sl.ua.edu” at the end to satisfy divisional attribution requirements.
- Buttons/small promo items: If there isn’t room for the Script A or official wordmark or “UA Student Life” spelled out, then you can use the url that includes “sl.ua.edu” at the end to satisfy divisional attribution requirements. Trademark and registered R symbols may be required if they are legible for registered phrases or words.