Brand Fundamentals

What is a Brand?

A brand is a promise we make to the world – it’s the story we tell about who we are and what we do. We make this promise with every communication that we put out, whether it’s an email, a press release, a web page or a video. More importantly, each communication is part of a larger whole. What we convey as independent schools, departments, organizations and entities shapes the perception of UC Irvine in general. We each must honor this responsibility.

The goal of these brand guideline is to help all of us who communicate about the university make the same promise, tell the same story and speak with the same voice. In this way, we can create a consistent narrative no matter how people hear from us.

Core Idea

Illuminating the Differences that Make a Difference.

Illuminating

  • Making brighter
  • Advancing to a higher intellectual level
  • Highlighting, promote or exalting discoveries

Differences

  • New ways of thinking
  • Imagination & creativity
  • Confident in pioneering
  • Breaking through traditional boundaries
  • Open to new ideas; not copying our way to the top

Make a Difference

  • Contribute
  • Impact public
  • Provide innovative ideas that improve society

(The core idea is NOT a tag-line. A tag-line is an external, communicative line that powerfully expresses the value proposition inherent in the core idea.)

Positioning Statement

At UC Irvine, we believe in embracing the differences that make a difference. From the beginning, we have understood the power of independent thought, from which true brilliance shines. We foster new modes of inquiry that break traditional boundaries. We nurture new ways of thinking. And we achieve results that are expansive, exponential and paradigm-changing.

Whether it’s a life-saving discovery, life-enhancing creation or compassionate care, each of our accomplishments starts with unique contributions of intellect, imagination and creativity from those with the resolve and courage to pursue a new idea. Through UCI, it is made real.

Here we believe that the creation of difference-makers comes from a university that goes beyond classroom academics to improve lives. We provide access to real-world expertise and hands-on learning to produce real-world impact. Located in the heart of Orange County, UCI is a vibrant center of intellectual and creative activity, deeply connected to and influenced by its community.

Known for our excellence in academics and research, UCI currently ranks among the top 10 public universities. From the 16 fully accredited schools and programs to the winning Anteater athletic teams, the brightest and most passionate are making their distinctive mark through UCI.

We enthusiastically embrace the bold, the one-of-a-kind, the independent mind. Those who see things differently. Who know differently. Who do differently. Those with the ability to shine brighter.

Brand Pillars

Our brand pillars are those inherent capabilities that distinguish us. They are the truths about our brand. Importantly, they illuminate how UC Irvine stands above and apart from others.

Pioneering spirit

Trailblazers who boldly create new fields of inquiry, enterprise or knowledge

Learning for real-world impact

Driven to positively affect the lives of people

Fiercely dedicated

Courageous, compassionate, optimistic and resolute in pursuit of discovery

Embracing innovative thinkers

Infinitely curious, distinctive in thought and welcoming of the unique, the unpredictable

Who is UC Irvine?

This is the broadest description of your core audiences. It clarifies the types of individuals you champion – those who are a part of, and contribute to, the university.

Fiercely dedicated individuals driven to make a difference in the world

Personality Attributes

These define the character of our brand. The following attributes guide the brand’s look, feel and voice. They must support the positioning, readily apply to creative execution, contribute to a distinct impression and aptly describe the organization.

Pioneering

The first or among the earliest in any field of inquiry, enterprise or endeavor

Inclusive

Welcoming and respecting each other’s differences

Audacious

Courageous, daring, fearless; optimistic, resolute

Infinitely Curious

Distinctive in thought, unique in approach to discovery

Engaged

Embracing our community, locally and worldwide; committed to serving the public good

Compassionate

Feeling or showing empathy and concern for others