SlideShare a Scribd company logo
CREATING
COMMUNICATIONS
THAT CONNECT:
WHAT’S YOUR
STRATEGY?
Principal
Moth Design
mothdesign.net
Tammy Dayton
Principal
43,000 Feet
43000feet.com
Dave Demerjian
Six Steps to Successful
Communications:
1. Research and Planning
2. Strategy and Positioning
3. Discovery and User Research
4. Brand Definition
5. Visualization and Articulation
6. Ensuring Consistency
Step 1:
Get the Ball Rolling
Research and Planning
Communications audit
Catalog and review your existing materials and/or modes of outreach.
Budget & resources
Establish financial and staffing needs.
Develop a wish list
Prioritize the most essential components.
Creative partners
CPS can help you assess whether you would benefit from working with an
outside firm. They can assist with defining the scope of your project,
preparing an RFP, and helping you select from a set of proven creative
partners.
Step 1: Research & Planning
Step 2:
Understanding the
Landscape
Strategy & Positioning
Being part of the MIT brand
MIT brings with it prestige, universal name recognition, and strong
brand equity.
But being linked to such a strong brand comes with expectations
and limitations.
Benchmark yourself against peers
Identify organizations similar to yours.
What do they look like and how do they talk about themselves?
Where do you fit in?
Step 2: Understanding the Landscape
Step 3:
Know Your Audience
Discovery & Audience Research
Good ol’ fashioned conversation
Conduct interviews, roundtables, and online surveys.
Experiential research
Watch customers interact with your organization at conferences,
meetings, and events.
Pay attention to how you are interacting with different audiences. What
are you saying and how are you saying it?
Personas
Develop user profiles that help you understand what motivates and
inspires each of your audiences.
Step 3: Discovery & Audience Research
Step 4:
Building a Rock-Solid
Foundation
Brand Definition
FIRST THINGS FIRST:
WHAT IS A BRAND,
ANYWAY?
Step 4: Brand Definition
Your brand is your promise to your customer. It tells them
what they can expect from your products and services, and it
differentiates your offering. Your brand is derived from who
you are, who you want to be, and how you are perceived.
A winning brand is:
Simple
Clear
and
concise
Memorable
Authentic
and
honest
Step 4: Brand Definition
Four signs you may have a branding problem
Your target audience doesn’t understand
what you do.
You lack a consistent visual identity.
You ask three employees how they describe your
organization and they say three different things.
You have trouble answering the question
“Why do we exist and what makes us special?”
1
2
3
4
Step 4: Brand Definition
Brand pillars
Three to five attributes that define your organization’s strengths
and value.
These are internal statements that ensure your communications
are unified and consistent.
Step 4: Brand Definition
Introduction
MIT SLOAN STUDENT LIFE OFFICE
Brand pillar #1: Here for everyone
The Student Life Office serves as a resource for MIT Sloan graduate and undergraduate students. It is a
“first-stop” able to direct students to the resources they need, and is committed to respecting Sloan’s
different student constituencies while celebrating the commonalities that make them part of a single
community.
Brand pillar #2: Supporting an integrated, collaborative culture
The Student Life Office is guided by a belief that unique learning occurs when diverse students and
groups are given opportunities to interact in authentic, meaningful ways. SLO activities provide a
platform for connection, leadership development, and learning outside the classroom, and foster a
collaborative culture shaped by the contribution of the students who are part of it.
Brand pillar #3: A supportive resource, a trusted voice
Because each member of the SLO staff is professional and trusted, the office has a unique opportunity
to convey consistent messages about Sloan’s values and culture. The Student Life Office is one of the
few at the School that reaches every student, and as such is well positioned to convey messages that
define cultural norms, expectations, and the uniqueness of the Sloan experience.
Step 4: Brand Definition
Brand personality
Messaging
Tone and voice: Develop language that captures your strengths and value, and be
sure to use it consistently across all communications.
Audience segmentation: While brand pillars should resonate with everyone who
interacts with your organizations, different audiences may need distinct messages.
Visual elements
Logo or logotype: Create logo that works in print, on screen, and in small-scale
placements.
Visual identity: Develop a visual system that includes color palette, typographic
palette, photography, illustration styles, and related design guidelines.
Step 4: Brand Definition
Introduction
BEFORE AFTER
Creating Communications That Connect
Step 5:
Time to Get Creative
Visualization and Articulation
Craft a plan
Go back to your initial communications wish list and see which pieces are
still relevant.
Reassess resources and timeline to develop a game plan for creating and
rolling out communications.
Step 5: Visualization and Articulation
Step 5: Visualization and Articulation
Create a content outline
Develop schematics / wireframes
Establish look-and-feel and voice
Solidify content requirements & word counts
Develop design drafts
Vet with stakeholders
Plan for photography
Prepare for production
Case Study:
The Sustainability Initiative
at MIT Sloan
IS&T Flexible grid: device width breakpoints
The flexible layout is only one piece of a responsive website. Flexible images/media and Media queries (CSS3 specification) are necessary for layouts to function properly.
320px
Phones
portrait
orientation
480px
Phones
landscape
orientation
600px
Small tablet
portrait
orientation
768px
iPad
portrait
orientation
MAX layout width
- text column size reduced
- design elements reduce in width
- navigation reduces in width
- images reduce size if necessary
- grid changes for portrait width
- some block elements
shuffle for portrait width
- design elements reduce in width
- navigation reduces in width
- images reduce size if necessary
- new navigation orientation
- grid changes for small
device width
- some block elements
shuffle for mobile
device users
- text column sizes reduced
- design elements reduce in width
- images reduce size if necessary
1200px
px
widescreen laptops and large monitors
1024px
iPad
landscape
orientation
Small laptop/netbook
prepared by Moth Design 9.19.2011
See All
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
Morbi leo risus, porta ac consectetur ac dolor Learn more
Lorem ipsum sit
vulputate
Porta mollis ligula
sit amet
Malesuada risus
ligula
Venenatis
vulputate dolor
Process Dolor Sit Amet
Lorem Ipsum Dolor Sit
Curabitur blandit tempus porttitor. Vivamus sagittis
lacus vel augue laoreet rutrum auctor. Read more
Vivamus sagittis lacus vel
augue laoreet rutrum auctor.
Etiam porta sem malesuada
magna mollis euismod.Parturient Malesuada Egestas
Etiam porta sem malesuada magna mollis
euismod.Maecenas sed diam . Read more
0.0 Homepage: Alternating image & descriptive content
NOTES:
Primary branding and messaging
See page 1 for details
Carousel: Project and individual profile
See page 2 for details
Descriptions with links
Process shown (content type is flexible)
Short descriptive text with site entry points
Chart / graphic with short descriptions
Process shown (content type is flexible)
Can work combined with or separately from #3
Carousel: Images with captions
Research news shown (content type is flexible)
Row of large text entry points
Descriptive text with button links
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3 4
MIT
Sloan
Logo
MIT SLOAN BRANDING
TOPICS About Events Contact
ACADEMIC
EXPERIENCES
RESEARCH
& PRACTICE
PARTNER
WITH US
MIT Sloan
Sustainability
MIT Sloan Sustainability
Wireframes / April 1, 2013
Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in,
egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula
porta felis euismod semper.
Dolor Tristique Tellus Tortor
Tortor Commodo Quam
Academic Experiences
Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper.
MIT
Sloan
Logo
MIT SLOAN BRANDING
TOPICS About Events Contact
ACADEMIC
EXPERIENCES
RESEARCH
& PRACTICE
PARTNER
WITH US
MIT Sloan
Sustainability
Courses Sustainability Certificate Profiles Careers Student Groups Get Involved
Our goal is to train innovators
lorem sit amet
Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula, eget lacinia
odio sem nec elit. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris
condimentum nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus. Integer
posuere erat a ante venenatis dapibus posuere Curabitur blandit tempus
porttitor. Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper.
Aenean lacinia bibendum nulla sed consectetur. Curabitur
blandit tempus porttitor. Sed posuere consectetur est at
lobortis. Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit
amet non magna. Donec ullamcorper nulla non metus.
Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient
montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Integer posuere erat a ante
venenatis dapibus posuere velit aliquet.dolor id nibh
ultricies vehicula ut id elit. Maecenas sed diam eget risus
varius blandit sit amet non magna. Etiam porta sem
malesuada magna mollis euismod.
Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula, eget lacinia
odio sem nec elit. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris
condimentum nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus. Integer
posuere erat a ante venenatis dapibus posuere Curabitur blandit tempus
porttitor. Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. Morbi leo risus,
porta ac consectetur ac, vestibulum at eros. Lea
Sustainability Certificate
Read more at lorem
Courses sit amet
All Courses
Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in,
egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula
Action Learning
Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in,
egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula
Executive Education
Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in,
egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula
Sed posuere
consectetur est at
Nullam quis risus eget urna mollis ornare
vel eu leo. Maecenas sed diam eget risus
varius blandit sit amet non magna.
Topic lorem Topic dolor
Location amet
PROFILE
Sed posuere
consectetur est at
Nullam quis risus eget urna mollis ornare
vel eu leo. Maecenas sed diam eget risus
varius blandit sit amet non magna.
Topic lorem Topic dolor
Location amet
PROFILE
Sed posuere
consectetur est at
Nullam quis risus eget urna mollis ornare
vel eu leo. Maecenas sed diam eget risus
varius blandit sit amet non magna.
Topic lorem Topic dolor
Location amet
PROFILE
Read more at lorem
About sit amet
TOPICS
ACADEMIC
EXPERIENCES
RESEARCH
& PRACTICE
PARTNER
WITH US
About Events Contact
MIT Sloan
Sustainability
Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam.
Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper.
Dolor Tristique Tellus Tortor
Tortor Commodo Quam
Academic Experiences
Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper.
MIT
Sloan
Logo
MIT SLOAN BRANDING
Courses Sustainability Certificate Profiles Careers Student Groups Get Involved
Our goal is to train innovators
lorem sit amet
Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula, eget lacinia odio
sem nec elit. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris
condimentum nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus. Integer posuere erat
a ante venenatis dapibus posuere Curabitur blandit tempus porttitor. Vestibulum
id ligula porta felis euismod semper.
Aenean lacinia bibendum nulla sed consectetur. Curabitur blandit tempus
porttitor. Sed posuere consectetur est at lobortis. Maecenas sed diam eget risus
varius blandit sit amet non magna. Donec ullamcorper nulla non metus.
Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus
mus. Integer posuere erat a ante venenatis dapibus posuere velit aliquet.dolor id
nibh ultricies vehicula ut id elit. Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit
amet non magna. Etiam porta sem malesuada magna mollis euismod.
Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula, eget lacinia odio
sem nec elit. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris
condimentum nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus. Integer posuere erat
a ante venenatis dapibus posuere Curabitur blandit tempus porttitor. Vestibulum
id ligula porta felis euismod semper. Morbi leo risus, porta ac consectetur ac,
Sustainability Certificate
Read more at lorem
Courses sit amet
All Courses
Cras justo odio, dapibus ac
facilisis in, egestas eget quam.
Vestibulum id ligula
Executive Education
Cras justo odio, dapibus ac
facilisis in, egestas eget quam.
Vestibulum id ligula
Action Learning
Cras justo odio, dapibus ac
facilisis in, egestas eget quam.
Vestibulum id ligula
Tablet Portrait 569-768px
768px shown1200px shown
1.0 Academic Experiences 1.0 Academic Experiences
Tablet Landscape/Desktop 769–1200px
MIT Sloan
Sustainability
About Events Contact
ACADEMIC
EXPERIENCES
RESEARCH
& PRACTICE
PARTNER
WITH US
TOPICS
Our goal is to train
innovators lorem sit
Duis mollis, est non commodo
luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula, eget
lacinia odio sem nec elit. Fusce
dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo
Courses
Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus,
nisi erat porttitor ligulabus, tellus ac
Sustainability Certificate
Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus,
nisi erat porttitor ligulabus, tellus ac
Profiles
Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus,
nisi erat porttitor ligulabus, tellus ac
Careers
Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus,
nisi erat porttitor ligulabus, tellus ac
Student Groups
Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus,
nisi erat porttitor ligulabus, tellus ac
Get Involved
Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus,
nisi erat porttitor ligulabus, tellus ac
Dolor Tristique Tellus
Tortor
Aenean lacinia bibendum nulla sed
consectetur. Curabitur blandit
tempus porttitor. Sed posuere
consectetur est at lobortis. Maece-
nas sed diam eget risus varius
blandit sit amet non magna. Donec
ullamcorper nulla non metus.
Cum sociis natoque penatibus et
magnis dis parturient montes,
nascetur ridiculus mus. Integer
posuere erat a ante venenatis
dapibus posuere velit aliquet.dolor
id nibh ultricies vehicula ut id elit.
Maecenas sed diam eget risus
varius blandit sit amet non magna.
Etiam porta sem malesuada magna
mollis euismod.
All Courses
Cras justo odio, dapibus ac
facilisis in, egestas eget quam.
Vestibulum id ligula
Action Learning
Cras justo odio, dapibus ac
facilisis in, egestas eget quam.
Vestibulum id ligula
Executive Education
Cras justo odio, dapibus ac
facilisis in, egestas eget quam.
Vestibulum id ligula
Tortor Commodo Quam
Duis mollis, est non commodo
luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula, eget
lacinia odio sem nec elit. Fusce
dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo,
tortor mauris condimentum nibh, ut
fermentum massa justo sit amet
risus. Integer posuere erat a ante
venenatis dapibus posuere Curabi-
tur blandit tempus porttitor. Vestibu-
lum id ligula porta felis euismod
semper. Morbi leo risus, porta ac
consectetur ac, vestibulum at eros.
Lea
Sed posuere
consectetur est at
Nullam quis risus eget urna mollis ornare
vel eu leo. Maecenas sed diam eget risus
varius blandit sit amet non magna.
Topic lorem Topic dolor
Location amet
PROFILE
Sed posuere
consectetur est at
Nullam quis risus eget urna mollis ornare
vel eu leo. Maecenas sed diam eget risus
varius blandit sit amet non magna.
Topic lorem Topic dolor
Location amet
PROFILE
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES
Courses
Academic Experiences
Research & Practice
Partner With Us
Topics
About
Events
Contact
© 2013 MIT Sloan Sustainability
Profiles Careers
Sustainability
Certificate
Get Involved
Student
Groups
MIT
Sloan
Logo
Sed posuere
consectetur est at
Nullam quis risus eget urna mollis ornare
vel eu leo. Maecenas sed diam eget risus
varius blandit sit amet non magna.
Topic lorem Topic dolor
Location amet
PROFILE
PART ONE
PART TWO
PART THREE
CONTINUED
a
CONTINUED
a
a
Creating Communications That Connect
Creating Communications That Connect
Creating Communications That Connect
Creating Communications That Connect
Case Study:
Massachusetts College of
Liberal Arts
MCLA VIEWBOOK CONTENT OUTLINE
First Draft
15 May 2012
One of the ideas that keeps coming back to us as we flesh out this outline is the idea of impact.
During our meetings you talked quite a bit about high impact learning in the context of
academics, but in reality it touches every part of the MCLA experience, from classes and
internships, to relishing the outdoors and local galleries, to dorm life and student clubs. This is
an idea we would like to explore as an overarching theme for the piece. It would be reflected in
headlines, messaging, etc.
[Front cover]
MCLA
Headline TBD
[IFC and page 1]
Headline TBD
• Letter from President Grant – In addition to talking about MCLA, this is an opportunity for
us to do some thought leadership messaging around the value of a liberal arts education
(selling the category as well as the product).
[Pages 2 and 3]
Academics: Headline TBD
• Introductory copy – Brief intro to MCLA’s academic programs. This is another place where
we work in messaging about the value and transferable skills of a liberal arts education.
• List of majors – Do we want to include the concentrations? I’d vote no, but please weigh in.
Also mention honors program.
• Other non-undergraduate options – include brief mention of professional education and
eMBA programs. MCLA: are there others?
• SIDEBAR: Chart your course – One way to contextualize the MCLA academic experience
is to show how students progress through their program. We are thinking about the idea of
having a current student or recent graduate list one class they took each semester over the
course of their four years that they feel shaped their education. This type of timeline would
show the depth and breadth of your curriculum and the variety of areas your students can
explore.
STUDENT LIFEFEATURE
PHOTO
MAJORS
MINORS
ADMISSIONS
08 10 11090706
PROFILE 1 PROFILE 2
PROFILE 1 PROFILE 2CENTER FOLD
04 0502 03IFC
INTRO
01
12 17
FEATURE
PHOTO
ACADEMICSFEATURE
PHOTO
Creating Communications That Connect
Creating Communications That Connect
Creating Communications That Connect
Step 6:
Keep Everyone in Line
Ensuring consistency
Step 6: Ensuring consistency
Brand Police
Identify the “Brand Police” within your organization who will
ensure that communications stay on brand consistently.
The head of communications or marketing typically serves this
role.
Educate your people to ensure they understand the brand, its
value, and how it should be used.
Common Pitfalls
Be proactive, not reactive. Develop a communications calendar that maps to
your needs and objectives and allocates resources so that you are not
scrambling.
Garnering buy-in can often be one of the most challenging components of a
project, so get input early.
Good writing and design go hand in hand. Build a team that can work
collaboratively.
Don’t underestimate the time and resources that in-house writing, design, and/or
project management will add to your regular responsibilities.
THANK YOU

More Related Content

PPT
Linkedin Training Basic
PPTX
How To Make LinkedIn a Marketing Machine
PPT
LinkedIn Basics 101 Updated 1-10-2013
PPT
(1) LinkedIn 101
PPTX
Linkedin 101 ppt
PPTX
LinkedIn for Students
PDF
Ferrer alfred sm&m_pb1_october
PDF
LinkedIn training presentation
Linkedin Training Basic
How To Make LinkedIn a Marketing Machine
LinkedIn Basics 101 Updated 1-10-2013
(1) LinkedIn 101
Linkedin 101 ppt
LinkedIn for Students
Ferrer alfred sm&m_pb1_october
LinkedIn training presentation

What's hot (20)

PPTX
Developing your personal and business brand
PPTX
LinkedIn Career and Personal Development
PPT
LinkedIn Career Services Webinar Presentation Slides
PPTX
GLIM Chennai Social Media Marketing Linkedin
PPTX
GLIM Chennai Social Media Marketing Group20 linked in
PDF
LinkedIn 101: Basics and Advanced
PPT
LinkedIn Sample Presentation Slides
PPTX
GLIM Chennai Social Media Marketing Group20 Linkedin
PPTX
LinkedIn B2B Lead Generation Strategies
PPTX
LinkedIn for Graduates, develop your career
PPT
The low down on LinkedIn
PPTX
LinkedIn 201 Guide
PPT
LinkedIn Training and Best Practices - Sharrard, McGee & Co. CPA Firm
PDF
LinkedIn Essentials
PPT
Beginner's Guide to LinkedIn.pptx
PPT
The Low Down on LinkedIn - making it work for Real Estate Agents
PPTX
Winning Work Online
PDF
How to be a Rockstar Recruiter
PPTX
LinkedIn Presentation for ACBSP Region 4
PPTX
LinkedIn For Business Development In 2018
Developing your personal and business brand
LinkedIn Career and Personal Development
LinkedIn Career Services Webinar Presentation Slides
GLIM Chennai Social Media Marketing Linkedin
GLIM Chennai Social Media Marketing Group20 linked in
LinkedIn 101: Basics and Advanced
LinkedIn Sample Presentation Slides
GLIM Chennai Social Media Marketing Group20 Linkedin
LinkedIn B2B Lead Generation Strategies
LinkedIn for Graduates, develop your career
The low down on LinkedIn
LinkedIn 201 Guide
LinkedIn Training and Best Practices - Sharrard, McGee & Co. CPA Firm
LinkedIn Essentials
Beginner's Guide to LinkedIn.pptx
The Low Down on LinkedIn - making it work for Real Estate Agents
Winning Work Online
How to be a Rockstar Recruiter
LinkedIn Presentation for ACBSP Region 4
LinkedIn For Business Development In 2018
Ad

Viewers also liked (20)

PDF
Dojo Grids in XPages
PDF
Tema 3 Autonomía e promoción das relacións de igualdade
PDF
7 webinar-court
PPTX
TSI Entrepreneurship Program
PPTX
Fairtrade chocolate poem
PDF
Tempo June 2015
PPTX
Día de la paz iii
PPT
Respect your kids
PPTX
Final photos
PPTX
materials used in the UK
PPSX
Prayer sildeshow sonder intro show
PPTX
Phonetic and phonology
PDF
Zak Swain: Visual Resume
PPTX
Chelsie olson presentation_pacing
PPTX
Homework - printing methods
DOC
Résultats Coupe Lesdiguieres
PDF
Catalogo SUNCE
PPT
Sitka's Blue Lake Project - by Dean Orbison
PPT
Akupresssur 083872490010 Pelatihan Pijat Akupresur, Pelatihan Totok Wajah, Pe...
Dojo Grids in XPages
Tema 3 Autonomía e promoción das relacións de igualdade
7 webinar-court
TSI Entrepreneurship Program
Fairtrade chocolate poem
Tempo June 2015
Día de la paz iii
Respect your kids
Final photos
materials used in the UK
Prayer sildeshow sonder intro show
Phonetic and phonology
Zak Swain: Visual Resume
Chelsie olson presentation_pacing
Homework - printing methods
Résultats Coupe Lesdiguieres
Catalogo SUNCE
Sitka's Blue Lake Project - by Dean Orbison
Akupresssur 083872490010 Pelatihan Pijat Akupresur, Pelatihan Totok Wajah, Pe...
Ad

Similar to Creating Communications That Connect (20)

PDF
Pitch Perfect: How to Gain Internal Buy-In
PDF
Don't Design Websites. Design Web SYSTEMS! (UT Austin Drupal Users Group)
PDF
Don't Design Websites. Design Web SYSTEMS! (BADCamp 2011)
PDF
Branding & design for non-profits
PDF
Brand Strategy for the Real World. Making Your Brand Relevant to Key Audiences.
PDF
Building your brand – A practical guide for nonprofit organizations
PDF
2010 navigate-university branding-_rmit_case_study
PPTX
MIT Sloan Design Club Introduction Dec 2011
PPTX
Brand Storytelling
PDF
Mit sloan design club introduction dec 2011
PPTX
Branding in Higher Ed
PPTX
Branding in higher ed
PDF
Don't Design Websites. Design Web SYSTEMS! (DrupalCon London 2011)
PDF
Don't Design Websites. Design Web SYSTEMS! (DrupalCamp Stockholm 2011)
PPTX
MIT Sloan Design Club Introduction Dec 2011
PDF
What Is A Brand…And Why Does It Matter?
PDF
Don't Design Websites. Design Web SYSTEMS! (DrupalCon Chicago 2011)
PDF
Institutional Branding: Discover the Hidden Value of Your Existing Research B...
PDF
Communicating College Program Offerings: Brand Development Workshop
PDF
An honest interactive brand consultant
Pitch Perfect: How to Gain Internal Buy-In
Don't Design Websites. Design Web SYSTEMS! (UT Austin Drupal Users Group)
Don't Design Websites. Design Web SYSTEMS! (BADCamp 2011)
Branding & design for non-profits
Brand Strategy for the Real World. Making Your Brand Relevant to Key Audiences.
Building your brand – A practical guide for nonprofit organizations
2010 navigate-university branding-_rmit_case_study
MIT Sloan Design Club Introduction Dec 2011
Brand Storytelling
Mit sloan design club introduction dec 2011
Branding in Higher Ed
Branding in higher ed
Don't Design Websites. Design Web SYSTEMS! (DrupalCon London 2011)
Don't Design Websites. Design Web SYSTEMS! (DrupalCamp Stockholm 2011)
MIT Sloan Design Club Introduction Dec 2011
What Is A Brand…And Why Does It Matter?
Don't Design Websites. Design Web SYSTEMS! (DrupalCon Chicago 2011)
Institutional Branding: Discover the Hidden Value of Your Existing Research B...
Communicating College Program Offerings: Brand Development Workshop
An honest interactive brand consultant

More from MITCPS (8)

PDF
User Centered Design: A practical toolkit for making sites that work
PPT
Snapshot of Social Media Trends 2016
PPTX
Social media evolution in higher education
PPTX
Google Updates: Panda, Penguin and Hummingbird, Oh My!
PDF
You Should Click on This
PPT
YouTube Analytics
PDF
Options for Captioning Video at MIT
PDF
Flickr at MIT
User Centered Design: A practical toolkit for making sites that work
Snapshot of Social Media Trends 2016
Social media evolution in higher education
Google Updates: Panda, Penguin and Hummingbird, Oh My!
You Should Click on This
YouTube Analytics
Options for Captioning Video at MIT
Flickr at MIT

Recently uploaded (20)

PDF
TR - Agricultural Crops Production NC III.pdf
PDF
Abdominal Access Techniques with Prof. Dr. R K Mishra
PDF
RMMM.pdf make it easy to upload and study
PPTX
human mycosis Human fungal infections are called human mycosis..pptx
PDF
Sports Quiz easy sports quiz sports quiz
PDF
Classroom Observation Tools for Teachers
PPTX
Renaissance Architecture: A Journey from Faith to Humanism
PPTX
GDM (1) (1).pptx small presentation for students
PDF
ANTIBIOTICS.pptx.pdf………………… xxxxxxxxxxxxx
PPTX
Lesson notes of climatology university.
PDF
102 student loan defaulters named and shamed – Is someone you know on the list?
PPTX
Cell Structure & Organelles in detailed.
PDF
Black Hat USA 2025 - Micro ICS Summit - ICS/OT Threat Landscape
PPTX
Cell Types and Its function , kingdom of life
PDF
Supply Chain Operations Speaking Notes -ICLT Program
PDF
grade 11-chemistry_fetena_net_5883.pdf teacher guide for all student
PDF
2.FourierTransform-ShortQuestionswithAnswers.pdf
PPTX
IMMUNITY IMMUNITY refers to protection against infection, and the immune syst...
PPTX
Introduction_to_Human_Anatomy_and_Physiology_for_B.Pharm.pptx
PDF
Module 4: Burden of Disease Tutorial Slides S2 2025
TR - Agricultural Crops Production NC III.pdf
Abdominal Access Techniques with Prof. Dr. R K Mishra
RMMM.pdf make it easy to upload and study
human mycosis Human fungal infections are called human mycosis..pptx
Sports Quiz easy sports quiz sports quiz
Classroom Observation Tools for Teachers
Renaissance Architecture: A Journey from Faith to Humanism
GDM (1) (1).pptx small presentation for students
ANTIBIOTICS.pptx.pdf………………… xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lesson notes of climatology university.
102 student loan defaulters named and shamed – Is someone you know on the list?
Cell Structure & Organelles in detailed.
Black Hat USA 2025 - Micro ICS Summit - ICS/OT Threat Landscape
Cell Types and Its function , kingdom of life
Supply Chain Operations Speaking Notes -ICLT Program
grade 11-chemistry_fetena_net_5883.pdf teacher guide for all student
2.FourierTransform-ShortQuestionswithAnswers.pdf
IMMUNITY IMMUNITY refers to protection against infection, and the immune syst...
Introduction_to_Human_Anatomy_and_Physiology_for_B.Pharm.pptx
Module 4: Burden of Disease Tutorial Slides S2 2025

Creating Communications That Connect

  • 3. Six Steps to Successful Communications: 1. Research and Planning 2. Strategy and Positioning 3. Discovery and User Research 4. Brand Definition 5. Visualization and Articulation 6. Ensuring Consistency
  • 4. Step 1: Get the Ball Rolling Research and Planning
  • 5. Communications audit Catalog and review your existing materials and/or modes of outreach. Budget & resources Establish financial and staffing needs. Develop a wish list Prioritize the most essential components. Creative partners CPS can help you assess whether you would benefit from working with an outside firm. They can assist with defining the scope of your project, preparing an RFP, and helping you select from a set of proven creative partners. Step 1: Research & Planning
  • 7. Being part of the MIT brand MIT brings with it prestige, universal name recognition, and strong brand equity. But being linked to such a strong brand comes with expectations and limitations. Benchmark yourself against peers Identify organizations similar to yours. What do they look like and how do they talk about themselves? Where do you fit in? Step 2: Understanding the Landscape
  • 8. Step 3: Know Your Audience Discovery & Audience Research
  • 9. Good ol’ fashioned conversation Conduct interviews, roundtables, and online surveys. Experiential research Watch customers interact with your organization at conferences, meetings, and events. Pay attention to how you are interacting with different audiences. What are you saying and how are you saying it? Personas Develop user profiles that help you understand what motivates and inspires each of your audiences. Step 3: Discovery & Audience Research
  • 10. Step 4: Building a Rock-Solid Foundation Brand Definition
  • 11. FIRST THINGS FIRST: WHAT IS A BRAND, ANYWAY? Step 4: Brand Definition
  • 12. Your brand is your promise to your customer. It tells them what they can expect from your products and services, and it differentiates your offering. Your brand is derived from who you are, who you want to be, and how you are perceived. A winning brand is: Simple Clear and concise Memorable Authentic and honest Step 4: Brand Definition
  • 13. Four signs you may have a branding problem Your target audience doesn’t understand what you do. You lack a consistent visual identity. You ask three employees how they describe your organization and they say three different things. You have trouble answering the question “Why do we exist and what makes us special?” 1 2 3 4 Step 4: Brand Definition
  • 14. Brand pillars Three to five attributes that define your organization’s strengths and value. These are internal statements that ensure your communications are unified and consistent. Step 4: Brand Definition
  • 15. Introduction MIT SLOAN STUDENT LIFE OFFICE Brand pillar #1: Here for everyone The Student Life Office serves as a resource for MIT Sloan graduate and undergraduate students. It is a “first-stop” able to direct students to the resources they need, and is committed to respecting Sloan’s different student constituencies while celebrating the commonalities that make them part of a single community. Brand pillar #2: Supporting an integrated, collaborative culture The Student Life Office is guided by a belief that unique learning occurs when diverse students and groups are given opportunities to interact in authentic, meaningful ways. SLO activities provide a platform for connection, leadership development, and learning outside the classroom, and foster a collaborative culture shaped by the contribution of the students who are part of it. Brand pillar #3: A supportive resource, a trusted voice Because each member of the SLO staff is professional and trusted, the office has a unique opportunity to convey consistent messages about Sloan’s values and culture. The Student Life Office is one of the few at the School that reaches every student, and as such is well positioned to convey messages that define cultural norms, expectations, and the uniqueness of the Sloan experience. Step 4: Brand Definition
  • 16. Brand personality Messaging Tone and voice: Develop language that captures your strengths and value, and be sure to use it consistently across all communications. Audience segmentation: While brand pillars should resonate with everyone who interacts with your organizations, different audiences may need distinct messages. Visual elements Logo or logotype: Create logo that works in print, on screen, and in small-scale placements. Visual identity: Develop a visual system that includes color palette, typographic palette, photography, illustration styles, and related design guidelines. Step 4: Brand Definition
  • 19. Step 5: Time to Get Creative Visualization and Articulation
  • 20. Craft a plan Go back to your initial communications wish list and see which pieces are still relevant. Reassess resources and timeline to develop a game plan for creating and rolling out communications. Step 5: Visualization and Articulation
  • 21. Step 5: Visualization and Articulation Create a content outline Develop schematics / wireframes Establish look-and-feel and voice Solidify content requirements & word counts Develop design drafts Vet with stakeholders Plan for photography Prepare for production
  • 22. Case Study: The Sustainability Initiative at MIT Sloan
  • 23. IS&T Flexible grid: device width breakpoints The flexible layout is only one piece of a responsive website. Flexible images/media and Media queries (CSS3 specification) are necessary for layouts to function properly. 320px Phones portrait orientation 480px Phones landscape orientation 600px Small tablet portrait orientation 768px iPad portrait orientation MAX layout width - text column size reduced - design elements reduce in width - navigation reduces in width - images reduce size if necessary - grid changes for portrait width - some block elements shuffle for portrait width - design elements reduce in width - navigation reduces in width - images reduce size if necessary - new navigation orientation - grid changes for small device width - some block elements shuffle for mobile device users - text column sizes reduced - design elements reduce in width - images reduce size if necessary 1200px px widescreen laptops and large monitors 1024px iPad landscape orientation Small laptop/netbook prepared by Moth Design 9.19.2011
  • 24. See All Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet Morbi leo risus, porta ac consectetur ac dolor Learn more Lorem ipsum sit vulputate Porta mollis ligula sit amet Malesuada risus ligula Venenatis vulputate dolor Process Dolor Sit Amet Lorem Ipsum Dolor Sit Curabitur blandit tempus porttitor. Vivamus sagittis lacus vel augue laoreet rutrum auctor. Read more Vivamus sagittis lacus vel augue laoreet rutrum auctor. Etiam porta sem malesuada magna mollis euismod.Parturient Malesuada Egestas Etiam porta sem malesuada magna mollis euismod.Maecenas sed diam . Read more 0.0 Homepage: Alternating image & descriptive content NOTES: Primary branding and messaging See page 1 for details Carousel: Project and individual profile See page 2 for details Descriptions with links Process shown (content type is flexible) Short descriptive text with site entry points Chart / graphic with short descriptions Process shown (content type is flexible) Can work combined with or separately from #3 Carousel: Images with captions Research news shown (content type is flexible) Row of large text entry points Descriptive text with button links 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 MIT Sloan Logo MIT SLOAN BRANDING TOPICS About Events Contact ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES RESEARCH & PRACTICE PARTNER WITH US MIT Sloan Sustainability MIT Sloan Sustainability Wireframes / April 1, 2013
  • 25. Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. Dolor Tristique Tellus Tortor Tortor Commodo Quam Academic Experiences Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. MIT Sloan Logo MIT SLOAN BRANDING TOPICS About Events Contact ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES RESEARCH & PRACTICE PARTNER WITH US MIT Sloan Sustainability Courses Sustainability Certificate Profiles Careers Student Groups Get Involved Our goal is to train innovators lorem sit amet Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula, eget lacinia odio sem nec elit. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris condimentum nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus. Integer posuere erat a ante venenatis dapibus posuere Curabitur blandit tempus porttitor. Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. Aenean lacinia bibendum nulla sed consectetur. Curabitur blandit tempus porttitor. Sed posuere consectetur est at lobortis. Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna. Donec ullamcorper nulla non metus. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Integer posuere erat a ante venenatis dapibus posuere velit aliquet.dolor id nibh ultricies vehicula ut id elit. Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna. Etiam porta sem malesuada magna mollis euismod. Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula, eget lacinia odio sem nec elit. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris condimentum nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus. Integer posuere erat a ante venenatis dapibus posuere Curabitur blandit tempus porttitor. Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. Morbi leo risus, porta ac consectetur ac, vestibulum at eros. Lea Sustainability Certificate Read more at lorem Courses sit amet All Courses Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula Action Learning Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula Executive Education Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula Sed posuere consectetur est at Nullam quis risus eget urna mollis ornare vel eu leo. Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna. Topic lorem Topic dolor Location amet PROFILE Sed posuere consectetur est at Nullam quis risus eget urna mollis ornare vel eu leo. Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna. Topic lorem Topic dolor Location amet PROFILE Sed posuere consectetur est at Nullam quis risus eget urna mollis ornare vel eu leo. Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna. Topic lorem Topic dolor Location amet PROFILE Read more at lorem About sit amet TOPICS ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES RESEARCH & PRACTICE PARTNER WITH US About Events Contact MIT Sloan Sustainability Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. Dolor Tristique Tellus Tortor Tortor Commodo Quam Academic Experiences Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. MIT Sloan Logo MIT SLOAN BRANDING Courses Sustainability Certificate Profiles Careers Student Groups Get Involved Our goal is to train innovators lorem sit amet Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula, eget lacinia odio sem nec elit. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris condimentum nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus. Integer posuere erat a ante venenatis dapibus posuere Curabitur blandit tempus porttitor. Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. Aenean lacinia bibendum nulla sed consectetur. Curabitur blandit tempus porttitor. Sed posuere consectetur est at lobortis. Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna. Donec ullamcorper nulla non metus. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Integer posuere erat a ante venenatis dapibus posuere velit aliquet.dolor id nibh ultricies vehicula ut id elit. Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna. Etiam porta sem malesuada magna mollis euismod. Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula, eget lacinia odio sem nec elit. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris condimentum nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus. Integer posuere erat a ante venenatis dapibus posuere Curabitur blandit tempus porttitor. Vestibulum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. Morbi leo risus, porta ac consectetur ac, Sustainability Certificate Read more at lorem Courses sit amet All Courses Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula Executive Education Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula Action Learning Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula Tablet Portrait 569-768px 768px shown1200px shown 1.0 Academic Experiences 1.0 Academic Experiences Tablet Landscape/Desktop 769–1200px
  • 26. MIT Sloan Sustainability About Events Contact ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES RESEARCH & PRACTICE PARTNER WITH US TOPICS Our goal is to train innovators lorem sit Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula, eget lacinia odio sem nec elit. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo Courses Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligulabus, tellus ac Sustainability Certificate Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligulabus, tellus ac Profiles Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligulabus, tellus ac Careers Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligulabus, tellus ac Student Groups Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligulabus, tellus ac Get Involved Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligulabus, tellus ac Dolor Tristique Tellus Tortor Aenean lacinia bibendum nulla sed consectetur. Curabitur blandit tempus porttitor. Sed posuere consectetur est at lobortis. Maece- nas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna. Donec ullamcorper nulla non metus. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Integer posuere erat a ante venenatis dapibus posuere velit aliquet.dolor id nibh ultricies vehicula ut id elit. Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna. Etiam porta sem malesuada magna mollis euismod. All Courses Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula Action Learning Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula Executive Education Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam. Vestibulum id ligula Tortor Commodo Quam Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula, eget lacinia odio sem nec elit. Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris condimentum nibh, ut fermentum massa justo sit amet risus. Integer posuere erat a ante venenatis dapibus posuere Curabi- tur blandit tempus porttitor. Vestibu- lum id ligula porta felis euismod semper. Morbi leo risus, porta ac consectetur ac, vestibulum at eros. Lea Sed posuere consectetur est at Nullam quis risus eget urna mollis ornare vel eu leo. Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna. Topic lorem Topic dolor Location amet PROFILE Sed posuere consectetur est at Nullam quis risus eget urna mollis ornare vel eu leo. Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna. Topic lorem Topic dolor Location amet PROFILE ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES Courses Academic Experiences Research & Practice Partner With Us Topics About Events Contact © 2013 MIT Sloan Sustainability Profiles Careers Sustainability Certificate Get Involved Student Groups MIT Sloan Logo Sed posuere consectetur est at Nullam quis risus eget urna mollis ornare vel eu leo. Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna. Topic lorem Topic dolor Location amet PROFILE PART ONE PART TWO PART THREE CONTINUED a CONTINUED a a
  • 32. MCLA VIEWBOOK CONTENT OUTLINE First Draft 15 May 2012 One of the ideas that keeps coming back to us as we flesh out this outline is the idea of impact. During our meetings you talked quite a bit about high impact learning in the context of academics, but in reality it touches every part of the MCLA experience, from classes and internships, to relishing the outdoors and local galleries, to dorm life and student clubs. This is an idea we would like to explore as an overarching theme for the piece. It would be reflected in headlines, messaging, etc. [Front cover] MCLA Headline TBD [IFC and page 1] Headline TBD • Letter from President Grant – In addition to talking about MCLA, this is an opportunity for us to do some thought leadership messaging around the value of a liberal arts education (selling the category as well as the product). [Pages 2 and 3] Academics: Headline TBD • Introductory copy – Brief intro to MCLA’s academic programs. This is another place where we work in messaging about the value and transferable skills of a liberal arts education. • List of majors – Do we want to include the concentrations? I’d vote no, but please weigh in. Also mention honors program. • Other non-undergraduate options – include brief mention of professional education and eMBA programs. MCLA: are there others? • SIDEBAR: Chart your course – One way to contextualize the MCLA academic experience is to show how students progress through their program. We are thinking about the idea of having a current student or recent graduate list one class they took each semester over the course of their four years that they feel shaped their education. This type of timeline would show the depth and breadth of your curriculum and the variety of areas your students can explore.
  • 33. STUDENT LIFEFEATURE PHOTO MAJORS MINORS ADMISSIONS 08 10 11090706 PROFILE 1 PROFILE 2 PROFILE 1 PROFILE 2CENTER FOLD 04 0502 03IFC INTRO 01 12 17 FEATURE PHOTO ACADEMICSFEATURE PHOTO
  • 37. Step 6: Keep Everyone in Line Ensuring consistency
  • 38. Step 6: Ensuring consistency Brand Police Identify the “Brand Police” within your organization who will ensure that communications stay on brand consistently. The head of communications or marketing typically serves this role. Educate your people to ensure they understand the brand, its value, and how it should be used.
  • 39. Common Pitfalls Be proactive, not reactive. Develop a communications calendar that maps to your needs and objectives and allocates resources so that you are not scrambling. Garnering buy-in can often be one of the most challenging components of a project, so get input early. Good writing and design go hand in hand. Build a team that can work collaboratively. Don’t underestimate the time and resources that in-house writing, design, and/or project management will add to your regular responsibilities.