Social Media Avatar Policy for CAS Accounts

Purpose

This policy outlines the process and considerations for developing social media avatars that represent departments and programs across the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Delaware. The goal is to create recognizable, professional, and engaging avatars that align with the university's communications and marketing standards while fostering a sense of community.

Key Guidelines

1. Recognizability:

• Avatars must be easily identifiable, even at small sizes typically viewed on mobile devices.
• Images should be clear and uncluttered, ensuring visibility and legibility.

2. Brand Representation:

• The avatar should positively reflect the university's brand image and values as all avatars will include the UD monogram.
• It must align with the overall theme of the department or college’s page, whether academic (e.g., Fashion, Art History, ELI) or institutional.

3. Inclusion of People:

• Whenever possible, avatars should feature human elements (e.g., faces or silhouettes) to enhance relatability and foster trust among audiences. Research shows that people respond better to human-centered imagery than logos alone.

4. Consistency Across Platforms:

• The avatar design must maintain consistency across all social media platforms to strengthen brand recognition.
• Departments should avoid frequent changes to their avatars, as this can confuse followers.

5. Size Optimization:

• Images should be optimized for small dimensions ensuring clarity without losing important details.

6. Collaboration with Communications Office:

• All avatar designs must be reviewed and approved by the Office of Communications and Marketing to ensure adherence to branding guidelines.

Process

1. Initial Consultation:

• Departments will collaborate with the communications team to discuss branding goals, audience preferences, and thematic elements.

2. Design Options:

• The team will provide several avatar options tailored to the department’s identity while adhering to university branding standards.

3. Feedback and Approval:

• Departments will review the proposed designs, provide feedback, and finalize the selection in coordination with the communications office.

4. Implementation:

• Once approved, avatars will be uploaded across all relevant social media accounts.

Additional Considerations

• Community Building: Avatars should evoke a sense of belonging representing the community within the university.
• Professionalism: Designs should strike a balance between creativity and professionalism, avoiding overly casual or complex imagery.
• Alignment with Headers/Cover Images: Avatars should complement header images or cover photos for a cohesive visual identity.

By adhering to this policy, colleges across the university can effectively leverage social media avatars as tools for branding, engagement, and community building.