first church brand guide (version 1)

Brand Guidelines version 1

introduction

First conGreGational cHurcH, united cHurcH oF cHrist, coluMBus, oHio

“First Congregational UCC is a special community of faith. At First Church, we do our best to live into our open and affirming statement. We welcome people no matter who they are or where they are on life’s journey.“ - rev. timothy ahrens

contents logo Graphic logo uses & variation Font & copy Graphic Material imagery our online voice our online appearance e-mail communication Wearable Branding *reference Material

By referencing this Brand Guide we can effectively portray our church’s mission through graphic means. our goal is to transition into these guidelines to create a cohesive and memorable experience via our print and web media.

Have questions? Contact the First Congregational Church’s Media Team - [email protected]

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67-910

11-1213-16

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loGo GrapHic

the rose Window logo is intended to be used on its own and with the logotype. When possible using the logo in the designated red color is suggested. if color is not an option, black or 80% gray is acceptable.

When possible, allow breathing room around the logo approximately the width of the outermost shapes (see right).

red color specspantone 1805ccMYK 15, 93, 95, 4rGB 202, 54, 44

GraY color specspantone BlacK 7c cMYK 0, 0, 0, 80rGB 88, 89, 91

*For decorative, graphic purposes any shade of gray is acceptable, the above is the design suggestion.

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loGo uses and variations

rose loGo (leFt) Fcc+ucc stacKed - color

rose loGo (leFt) Fcc+ucc stacKed - BlacK+WHite

*tHe aBove uses are suitaBle For print or WeB. it is suGGested tHat WeB instances alWaYs use color.

siZinG note - WHen usinG tHe loGo it is never to Be siZe disproportionatelY. WHen siZinG in GrapHic proGraMs, Hold doWn tHe sHiFt KeY WHile siZinG to ensure proportionate cHanGe.

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tHese instances oF tHe loGo + loGotYpe are For tHose occasions WHen tHe HoriZontal version oF tHe loGo + loGotYpe Will not suFFice. please note tHat tHe WeB onlY stacKed loGotYpe is onlY For tHose instances WHere a sQuare loGo is needed But tHe naMe oF tHe cHurcH is preFerred over tHe rose WindoW.

print+WeB variation 1 print +WeB variation 2

vertical loGotYpe WitH rose WindoW

vertical loGotYpe stacKed loGotYpe

WeB onlY

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tHese instances are For use WHere tHe loGo MaY incur interruption Because oF print or WeB liMitations. tHe ucc Medallion inclusion is For events WHere tHe Focus on tHe ucc. tHe rose WindoW instance Will Most coMMonlY Be used on print Material WHere tHere is FoldinG, staplinG or BindinG.

print + WeB variation 3

print+WeB variation 4

HoriZontal loGotYpe (coluMBus) WitH rose WindoW

HoriZontal loGotYpe (coluMBus) WitH ucc Medallion loGo

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Fonts and copY

priMarY Font (print + WeB)

secondarY Font (print)

secondarY Font (WeB)

arial font should be used whenever possible. this is a universally available font for both Macs and pcs. size for body copy should be a minimum of 12pt font. When needed 11pt is acceptable. Body copy for print material (unless large scale print) should be no larger than 14pt font.

Body copy should be upper + lower case, while headers and important information should be uppercase.

Garamound font should be used only when needed. the main use for this font will be sunday service Bulletins. When it is not an inconvenience documents should be converted from Garamound to arial font.

Myriad may be used when creating graphics for the www.first-church.org website. This font may provide more opportunities for dynamic text in cramped areas.

note: in body copy the use of hyphenation should be avoided. sporadic use of italic, bold and underlined font should also be avoided.

arial

Garmound

Myriad

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GrapHic Materials

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

444 East Broad StreetColumbus, Ohio 43215-3885

standard letterHead (letter siZe paper) MailinG laBels For envelopes

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GrapHic Materialsuse oF loGo WitH coMMission loGo in place (print)

option 1 option 2

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GrapHic Materials

poster eXaMple (cHristian education) tri-Fold BrocHure eXaMple (Missions coMMission)

The Art and Music Funds available at First Church provide support for the church’s music and art programming, and provides flower arrangements to display for worship services or at special church events. Annual contributions are made from the funs to active church committees. Funds to active church committees. Funds in this area also provide sponsorship musc education, choral activities and seasonal events. Want to support the art and music

ministry? Presented here are ways that you can strengthen our cultural and spiritual programming:

Music is an integral part of worship at First Church and an opportunity for all to lift their voices in praise of God. The music program includes choirs for adults and children, singing and ringing handbells. Congregational hymn singing is inspired by the accompaniment of our two accompaniment of our two magnificent pipe organs. The congregational concerts and other special programs extend an invitation to the greater Columbus community to be nourished by the gift of music in First Church’s majestic space.

1) Make a tax-deductible donation

2) Grow your investment tax-free, and then direct a contribution in your name to Art and Music Funds.

3) Host a fundraiser

4) Leave a legacy gift in your estate plan.

Building RelationshipsBuilding Faith

Fullfilling Our PurposeBoth Today and Tomorrow

The Art and Music Ministry

The First Congregational ChurchUnited Church of Christ444 East Broad StreetColumbus, Ohio 43215-3885www.first-church.orgPhone: 614.228.1741

You can support the Art and Music Ministry by contributing to one of the following funds:

Martin/MjacNevin Organ Maintenance

Jackie Owen Memorial Music Fund

Bernard Music Fund

Flower Fund

Music and Arts Heritage FundMusic and Arts Heritage Fund

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iMaGerY

WHat tYpes oF iMaGes sHould We use?

When choosing images for your materials, look for images that embody a warm, inviting feeling. smiling faces, diversity, energy and spontaneity are all crucial for projecting the right brand appearance for First congregational church. Because we celebrate inclusion and equality, imagery should have a three out of four ratio for people to objects. so if you have four images on a page, three should be portraits of members and one should be of the church. While we want to present the characteristics of the members, we want visitors to remember what our church looks like, so they can recall the entire experience. images should be clear, artistic and well lit. if you feel your image may need retouched - please e-mail it to [email protected] and someone will help you adjust the image.

tHinGs to avoid: We should always minimize the use of clip art. Graphic real estate is often minimal and clip art is generic. rather than use clip art dig up old pictures you might have, or ask members and staff for their help in obtaining images.

iMportant note: images of children under the age of 18 should never include their names. if their name is on a name tag in a pic-ture, the First Church Media team can help edit the image (e-mail image to [email protected]).

eXaMples oF appropriate iMaGerY

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considerationconsider both strategic and practical issues when using social networking the church. Who the site is aimed at, what kind of information will be published, who will update the page, what kind of style will be used and so on.

personait is desirable to have a consistent voice, despite the multiple users who might be producing content for a departmental social networking site. to help maintain consistency:• Speak in first person plural (We are holding an event tomorrow. Feel free to contact us.)• Try to use active, rather than passive, words• Try to maintain a semi-casual tone, without using slang or jargon

proMotionthere are a few simple steps that can be taken to promote social networking sites in a subtle but effective way.• All e-mails sent from the church should include a hyperlink to the social networking site(s). The hyperlink should be included in the email signature.• Any mailings could highlight the church’s presence in the social networking sites.• Presentations should include details of the social networking sites in a ‘how to contact us’ section.• The church’s webpage should have shortcut icons which lead directly to the social networking sites.• Following an event, encourage participants to view photos/video clips on the church’s social networking sites.

Monitor + ManaGechecking for new queries or responses could be done a few times a day. in general, social networking site users don’t expect an instant reply but queries should be acknowledged in a timely manner to maintain user’s confidence. Typical response time should be within 24 hours of the inquiry. • Responses to queries should give a short answer to an exact question posed, with a link to relevant information on the church’s website.• Avoid giving the impression that questions are foolish, or that info should have been easily found elsewhere.• Make appropriate arrangements when people responsible for replying to the queries are on holiday.• Publish your moderation policy.

our online voice

tHe voice oF our conGreGation on tHe WeB

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otHer KeY iteMsconsider an update strategy• Decide what information will be shared through the social networking sites. Is it used to promote future events, help with general communications or member applications?• When will the site be updated (before, during, after an event)?• Create a timetable for all events which should be included in the social networking updates.• Use helpful tools like www.hootsuite.com to keep posts organized.• Updates should not breach e-safety; the use of names should be omitted. Under no circumstance should names of minors be used, unless cleared by their parent(s)/guardian(s).• Any major updates made to the website should be announced via social networks• Reminder of an up and coming event or a registering deadline.• Photos from events• New videos (Vimeo account)• Forum/discussion questions that are posed to the current followers.

our online voice (continued)

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our online appearance

WWW.First-cHurcH.orG

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WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FIRSTCHURCHCBUS

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WWW.TWITTER.COM/FIRSTCHURCHCBUS

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HTTP://VIMEO.COM/USER10413553 USERNAME: FIRSTCHURCHCBUS

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e-Mail coMMunication

staFF e-Mail siGnatures (eXaMple)

e-Mail Blasts

all staFF siGnatures sHould FolloW tHis ForMat

utiliZinG e-Mail desiGn and orGaniZational tools

using tools like www.mailchimp.com and www.signupgenius.com the First church Media team and staff will be able to provide members with well designed and trustworthy e-mails and event notifications.

Mail chimp should be used for newsletters and updates.signup Genius should be used to invite and register members and friends to events at the church.

TIM AHRENSsenior MinisterFirst congregational church ucc614.228.1741 x 13444 e Broad street | columbus, oH 43215www.first-church.orgfacebooktwitter

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WearaBle BrandinG

First conGreGational cHurcH “Gear” FroM WWW.sKreened.coM

parish life and church Growth have decided to use skreened, a columbus based print company, to produce a variety of wearable branded items. These items are purchased through the First Congregational Church’s store on Skreened.com - the church will profit $5.00 for the purchase of each item. customers can opt to ship their items at a cost or pick up at the store with no additional charge.(The above items are examples of possibilities, not final products.)

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WearaBle BrandinG

First conGreGational cHurcH naMe taGs

Full color and BlacK + WHite options

coMMissioned Minister naMe taGs

commissioned ministers may have name tags engraved via vermont trophy & engraving above are acceptable layouts.size: 3x1.5

staff, deacons, commissioners and other lay leaders may have their title added to the bottom of their name tag.size: 3x2

cori rowleyparish life commissioner

cori rowleyparish life commissioner

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reFerence Material

doWnloadaBle reFerence Material

iMaGes

Brand Guide developMent

this document along with other reference material can be downloaded in pdF format on First congregational church’s issuu page.www.issuu.com/firstchurchcbus

Images can be pulled from www.first-church.org for your print/web use. Additional images will be loaded on reference page which is TBD.

this brand guide was created on March 19th, 2012 (version 1) by cori rowley of Yellowood design studio.Contact [email protected] or [email protected] if you find a need for revision of the brand guidelines.

first church brand guide (version 1)

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