YSM Branding: Graphic Design & Templates

The Office of Communications manages and oversees the branding and visual identity for Yale School of Medicine and Yale Medicine both in print and online. In this section, we provide information about brand guidelines as well as logos, templates, and stationery.

Visual Identity

YSM Wordmark

In October 2008, Yale University introduced a new logo for use on letterhead and business cards, in official Yale publications and websites, and in other instances where it is appropriate to communicate a strong connection to the university. The logo is the word “Yale” set in a modified version of the Yale typeface, as shown.

The medical school has a common interest in reinforcing Yale’s reputation for institutional excellence, to which all parts of the university contribute and from which we all benefit. We have a shared investment in looking “like Yale.”

Along with the Yale logo, an extension system was developed for use by the professional schools and other academic and administrative units within the university in 2008. The medical school’s Office of Communications has worked with the Office of the University Printer and with Yale Printing & Publishing Services (YPPS) to create a graphic system that meets the needs of everyone within the school.

This wordmark—the Yale logo, followed by the words SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, typeset as shown—replaces previous iterations of the medical school’s graphic identity and should be used on all print and electronic materials that we create.

To recognize the importance of our heritage as a school, we have retained the Yale School of Medicine shield for use in branding, print, and Web materials only when the intended audiences will recognize it. When used, it should be set apart from the wordmark, or used in place of the wordmark as the only method of branding in some instances. The shield should be rendered in full color whenever possible. Any use of the shield should be approved by the Office of Communications.

All information about logos and shields can be accessed at the Wordmark, Shield, Logos & Graphic Identities for YSM guideline. For Yale Medicine branding guidelines, visit the Yale Medicine Clinical Care Resources.

Yale University Visual Identity

While the professional schools at Yale, including Yale School of Medicine, have proudly worked to build distinct branded visual identities, they are based on Yale University’s overarching visual identity. Yale’s visual identity is the guiding force behind YSM’s brand guidelines.

The university’s visual identity hinges on employing core identity elements: the Yale wordmark system, the Yale font, and the Yale color palette. The visual identity also depends on excellent design work that is simple and highlights the connection to Yale.

Download the YSM Shield & Wordmarks

Download the YSM wordmark and shield as print or web appropriate files below. Requests for other file formats or colors may be directed to the Office of Communication’s Multimedia Team at ysm.multimedia@yale.edu.

Review the policy for use of the YSM shield here.

JPEG Files:

JPG files should primarily be used online and should not be enlarged, as they’ll lose quality very quickly and start to appear blurry. This is caused by their use of lossy compression, which discards some data to reduce file size. JPG files do not support transparent backgrounds.

PNG Files:

PNG files use lossless compression, meaning that they are better quality than JPGs, with sharper lines and text. PNG files support transparent backgrounds, so, for example, a white PNG logo file can be placed on a Yale blue background.

EPS Files:

EPS files are vector files, meaning that they can be scaled infinitely without losing quality and are therefore preferred by designers, printers, and other outside vendors. EPS files may not open in their native format, however they can generally be downloaded and inserted/placed into a Word doc, etc., even if the EPS file itself cannot be opened. EPS files have transparent backgrounds, so, for example, a white EPS logo file can be placed on a Yale blue background.

Multimedia Files:

Multimedia files are optimized for use online or in video files.

Individual Logos

At the same time the university rolled out the wordmark system, in 2008, it also put a moratorium on the development of new logos—because standardizing the brand system throughout the university enhances the image of all individual units, and that continuing to develop logos waters down this effort.

Yale School of Medicine supports the effort of ‘no new logos’ unless a demonstrated need is shown by a unit and it meets stringent parameters as well as approval from the Dean. Departments and sections are not eligible for logos. Any logos developed need to be approved by the Office of Communications and/or the Dean and must adhere to Yale brand standards.

The parameters include the following:

Celebrations of a defined period, with the logo discontinued after that time period.
Commercial entities that need to differentiate themselves from Yale.
New collaborations equally owned by Yale and outside organization(s).
Organizations that demonstrate that without custom-branded materials they are unable to compete with their peers, recruit new patients, or raise research funds.

If a unit is not approved for a logo, there is still an option to creating design treatments and templated materials that can help to create a unique feel for their their materials. Contact the Office of Communication’s Multimedia Team at ysm.multimedia@yale.edu.

PowerPoint Templates

All PowerPoint presentations produced by YSM entities will have a consistent look, including the YSM wordmark. The PowerPoint template, available for general YSM community use, comes in two aspect ratios: Standard (4:3) and Widescreen (16:9). Please direct any questions to laura.maturo@yale.edu.

Yale School of Medicine Powerpoint Template Downloads

Yale School of Medicine & Yale New Haven Health System Co-Branded Powerpoint Template Downloads (for Enterprise use only)

Email Signature Guidelines

With digital communications such as email, we have little control over how it appears to the recipient. To format your email signature to comply with Yale School of Medicine branding, we ask that email signatures stay as simple as possible, following these guidelines:

Font:
Use one of these fonts for your email message and your email signature. They are widely accessible.
- Arial or Helvetica
- Times New Roman
Color:
Your email message and signature should be black type (for accessibility/legibility).
Type Size:
Your email signature should be all in one type size. Your message text size is the same or slightly larger than your signature text size.
Graphics:
Do not use graphics or logos in your email signature. Email clients display them differently, display them as broken or security risks, or they come across as attachments. Forwarded messages with embedded graphics become messy and difficult to read.
Layout:
Bold your name, and set your name and titles apart from the rest of the signature with a line break.
Limited Information:
Include your name, title, and only one or two ways that you prefer to be contacted. Do not include your email address and do not include contact information for ways that are difficult to reach you. If email is your preferred way to be contacted, your signature will be just your name, titles, and organization. Include a website url if you prefer.

A properly formatted Yale School of Medicine email signature should follow one of these templates:

Stripped-down	Basic staff email signature sample:	Example if multiple positions crossing institutions:
Firstname I. Lastname Title(s) at YSM Yale School of Medicine Department Name medicine.yale.edu/department	Firstname I. Lastname Title(s) at YSM Yale School of Medicine Department Name Street Address New Haven, CT 06511 Phone 203 785-XXXX medicine.yale.edu/department	Firstname I. Lastname, MD Title(s) at YSM Yale School of Medicine Department Name Street Address New Haven, CT 06511 Title at one Institution Institution Name Street Address New Haven, CT 06511 Title at second Institution Institution Name Street Address New Haven, CT 06511 Phone 203 785-XXXX Fax 203 785-XXXX Cell 203 785-XXXX medicine.yale.edu/department

Printed Materials

Printed materials representing Yale School of Medicine (YSM) should include the school’s wordmark or shield (if deemed appropriate) to brand the materials. These identifiers communicate the association of the parts with the whole, linking departments, programs, centers, and administrative offices with the school and the university. The wordmark or shield are used to ‘stamp’ the materials with the Yale brand—they do not need to be the primary branding, but simply an identifying mark. Any materials produced need approval from the brand manager—or be originated from the Office of Communications.

Most printed materials have a look of their own—even a brand of their own—to set them apart and to appeal to their audience. Branding such materials with a wordmark is a way to provide a touchstone or visual reminder that these communications emanate from YSM. Yale is supporting the production of these materials—its branding needn’t take over—it’s more of an endorsement of the materials by Yale. Therefore, placement of the wordmark is flexible; suggested size and location include small on the inside cover or back cover of a multipage publication. On smaller items, such as postcards, it may be determined that affiliation with YSM is demonstrated through use of fonts, colors, and department/unit name that include the word ‘Yale,’ and therefore do not need to include the wordmark—although every effort must be made to do so.

Questions on placement may be directed to the Office of Communication’s Multimedia Team at ysm.multimedia@yale.edu.

Stationery

In this section you will find information and samples that can help to guide you in ordering stationery materials. Yale Printing & Publishing Services(YPPS) handles all orders of stationery, including business cards, envelopes, and both printed and electronic letterhead.

Business Cards

All Yale business cards are printed on official, white, Yale card stock, which is available exclusively through Yale Printing & Publishing Services.

The business cards for Yale School of Medicine are preprinted with the school’s shield, in its proper colors, in the top left corner on the back of the card. You may opt to have the card printed on blank card stock, with no shield on the reverse.

For more information or to order envelopes, letterhead or business cards, visit https://ypps.yale.edu/ for contact information or to submit an on-line order.

Letterhead

Paper and Shield/Mark Usage

All Yale letterhead is printed on official, white, watermarked Yale stationery which is available exclusively through YPPS. A digital version of your letterhead is also available through YPPS formatted as Word document templates.

The letterhead for Yale School of Medicine is preprinted with the school’s shield, in its proper colors, in the bottom right corner. Letterhead is available with full color shield (shown, and preferred), an all blue shield, or no shield.

For more information or to order envelopes, letterhead or business cards, visit ypps.yale.edu.

Learn More

Letterhead Samples

Virtual Backgrounds

Professional, Yale-themed virtual backgrounds are available to download and use with Zoom and other video conferencing platforms:

NOTE: Make sure that the “Mirror my video” setting is turned off for virtual backgrounds to work properly.

Co-branding

Co-branding is most common between Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale Medicine, and Yale School of Medicine. Co-branding is best used administratively, and when your communication is meant for the public. It should reflect the expectations of its audience.

Any decision to co-brand needs approval from the Office of Communications and/or the Dean. Co-branded logo lockups can be provided after this approval.