Graphic Guidelines

IntroThe Aurora Public School district adopted a new official logo in 2007.

The figure is multi-color to represent diversity in our district and balances a globe to represent how APS is a world-class organization that embraces globalization so our graduates can be competitive in a dynamic world; the mountains in the background represent Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region.

Graphic GuidelinesAPS’ ability to carry out its mission can be helped or hindered by the perceptions of people in its community. Those perceptions are impacted, in part, by the district’s visual representation (the appearance of its print, video and online materials). A cohesive graphic style conveys a sense of identity and personality, creating greater recognition and understanding.

By applying simple guidelines, stylistic decisions may be made quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively.

Consistent application of the guidelines outlined below will enhance APS’ visibility, image and reputation.

Stretched(unacceptable)

Compressed (unacceptable)

Official Logo

An official APS logo is prominently displayed on all official APS communications including, but not limited to print media, t-shirts and other specialty items, business forms, audio/visual, media banners, display signage, advertising, uniforms, vehicles, and websites. The official logo appears in blue, black or in reverse (white on contrasting dark background).

Description of the Official LogoThe official APS logo pictured below is made up of two parts, the symbol and the wordmark.

The symbol is the figure holding the world with the mountains in the background. The wordmark is the name ‘Aurora Public Schools’ on three separate lines.

This graphic identifier reflects the district’s spirit and philosophy – that promotes immediate identification by the public. The symbol should appear with the wordmark and not be redrawn or modified. High resolution logos for print are available at http://www.apsnet/did/PAGES/logos.html. Web versions of the logo are available at https://sites.google.com/a/aurorak12.org/apsnet/communication/logos.

How to Use the Official Logo Consistency, good visibility, and legibility are key elements to ensure proper use. Reproduce the logo with the exact spatial relationships shown above and resize proportionately. To ensure visibility, provide adequate spacing between the logo and other elements.

Resize ProportionatelyTo resize the logo in Microsoft applications, click on the image and drag from a corner rather than the sides, top or bottom.

Correct Incorrect

Other Organization Logos

Logos of outside organizations may appear in the same size and visual plan as the APS logo to indicate partnerships or joint sponsorship.

Primary Identification Elements

The official APS logo appears on primary identification elements. To maintain consistency, a standard format has been adopted by the district. Text appears in black ink in a district-approved typeface. The logo may appear in either pantone reflex blue, black or in reverse (white on contrasting dark background).

Other logos, graphics, or artwork are permitted with prior approval. Primary identification elements include:

Business cards Mailing labels Letterhead (printed and electronic) Envelopes Mail panels on self-mailing publications Fax forms Building signage

Business CardsBusiness cards may be purchased from Print Services.

John SmithTitle

Division of Human Resources1085 Peoria St.Auora, CO 80011

Phone: 303-344-8060FAX: 303-326-1940e-mail: jasmith@aps.k12.co.usweb: www.aps.k12.co.us

Printed Letterhead Letter margins are right = 0.5”, left = 2.5”, top at least 0.5” and bottom at least 0.5”. Letterhead may be purchased from Print Services.

The vertical format is the district standard.NOTE: A horizontal version is available for special instances where it is not feasible to use the standard format.

aurorak12.org

Electronic Letterhead An electronic template is available from Print Services.

EnvelopesEnvelopes are available in a variety of sizes and may be purchased from Print Services.

Mail Panels on Self-Mailing PublicationsMany publications may be printed with a mailing panel on the back.

Fax Cover SheetsAn electronic template is available from Print Services. (insert example)

aurorak12.org

District Signage

Building IdentificationDistrict signage is administered by the Assistant Director of Maintenance and Operations at ext. 28671. Official building signage is available from the APS sign shop.

Vehicle IdentificationThe official logo is displayed on the front doors of APS vehicles in pantone reflex blue. Moldings, radical contours, and side mirrors should be avoided. The name of the individual department, school or driver may be added below the logo.

Miscellaneous

Site-Specific Forms and PublicationsDepartment forms do not need to display the official district logo. Any forms or other documents designated for use outside the department or site should include the official district logo.

NewslettersOther logos are acceptable on newsletters with the official district logo also appearing on the document.

Audio/Visual MediaAll television spots, films, videos, slide shows, and software produced by or on behalf of APS entities will display the official district logo.

Banners and DisplaysAll exhibits and displays produced by or on behalf of district entities should display the official district logo.

AdvertisingAll advertising produced by or on behalf of Aurora Public Schools entities should display the official district logo.

Color Usage

The official colors for APS is pantone reflex blue and pantone black. Below are color samples for reference and comparison.

Reflex Blue samples Black samples

The RGB value for this color can be created as follows (R=0, G=32, B=159). To get to RGB values in Microsoft applications, click on Format, Font, Font Color and then select the appropriate values.

TemplatesCommonly used templates for memos, letters, presentations, reports and slide shows are available at http://printservices.aurorak12.org/.

A listing of current board of education members is commonly used on districtwide publications such as graduation materials, calendars, and instruction materials. For an up-to-date list of board members and titles, please visit http://printservices.aurorak12.org/.

Back Page InformationThe district standard for back page information on various documents (commencement programs, handbooks, etc.) should include the Board of Education and district logo. Below is an example of an appropriate back page for a district document.

Amber Drevon, PresidentDan Jorgensen, Ph.D., Vice President

Monica Colbert, SecretaryBarbara Yamrick, TreasurerEric D. Nelson, Director

JulieMarie A. Shepherd Macklin, Ph.D., DirectorCathy Wildman, Director

Typographic Standards

This section identifies typography used by APS. The recommended display font for use in print materials is Century Gothic. The recommended serif complementary fonts are Times (or Times New Roman) family, and Garamond family.

Typefaces that complement the logo should be used for supplementary copy, such as body text in publications, address blocks, signage, and advertisements.

Examples shown are 12 point.

Garamond RegularABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZAbcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1234567890

Garamond ItalicABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZAbcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1234567890

Garamond BoldABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZAbcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1234567890

Century Gothic RegularABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZAbcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1234567890

Century Gothic ItalicABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZAbcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1234567890

Century Gothic BoldABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZAbcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1234567890

Times RegularABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZAbcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1234567890

Times ItalicABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZAbcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1234567890

Times BoldABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZAbcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1234567890

For more information contact Print Services at ext. 28282.

Web Guidelines

Web page content presents an image of APS to the world, and therefore official APS pages undergo the same careful preparation given to any other official APS publication.

Directory InformationDirectory information of staff may be included without permission.

Accessibility and Usability- Official district websites use industry-standard

technologies and accessibility guidelines defined by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

- Materials are developed using the principles of electronic etiquette (“netiquette”). For more information, visit http://www.albion.com/netiquette.

Search Engine FunctionalityTo enhance functionality with search engines and to promote district identification, official APS web pages include meaningful, unique <title></title> tags that include the text “Aurora Public Schools”. Example: “<title>Division of Finance – Aurora Public Schools</title>”.

Miscellaneous- Links to commercial sites are strongly discouraged,

with the exception of educational resources for use by students and staff.

- Materials should be carefully checked for proper grammar and spelling.

- Materials should be updated and maintained in a timely manner.

For more information contact the APS District Web Manager at ext. 28439.

District Name and Logo- Web versions of the district logo are available at

https://sites.google.com/a/aurorak12.org/apsnet/communication/logos

- The official logo is prominent in the design of all official APS web pages preferably in the top-left corner.

APS Color Palette- The official colors for all department websites are dark

blue (# 003366) and white (#ffffff ). - School sites may use their school colors.- Accent colors may be used in limited quantities.

APS Typography and Design Look- Body text is a sans-serif font (Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet

MS, etc.).- Page layout uses a clean, open style and may include

photos with clean edges.- Professional, photo-based clipart may be used to

enhance the page layout. The use of APS student and staff photos (with appropriate media releases) is encouraged.

Required LinksOfficial school and department web pages include links to the APS website (aurorak12.org), preferably through the use of the official logo as described above.

Contact InformationAll official school and department web pages include contact information. The contact may be a specific individual, a generic contact, or a link to a page of contacts for the department or site. The contact(s) includes an e-mail address(s) and/or a telephone number(s).

Use of Copyrighted MaterialsWritten permission should be obtained for the use of copyrighted materials, with the clear understanding on the part of the copyright holder that these materials will be used on the web. This applies to the use of text, logos, photographs, drawings, video clips, sound clips, or other copyrighted materials.

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