Traditional brands are far from the only organizations seeking to project a cohesive, impactful image. Universities and colleges have also understood that a unique brand experience is an important part of their identity and mission.
After all, it’s no coincidence that college life has a well-established and ever-evolving visual language that includes collegiate graphic prints, college typography, and (as we will see later) window wraps and creative window graphics for college.
Higher Education as a Product
In many ways, universities and colleges sell a product. Needless to say, education is a product like no other, so these institutions face unique challenges when it comes to promoting their values and differentiating themselves from their competitors.
To begin with, the communication strategies adopted by these institutions must be in line with the importance accorded to higher education. This means that the message has to be enthusiastic without being bombastic; intelligent without becoming excessively cerebral; and elegant but compelling at the same time.
A New Challenge
While this was already a daunting balancing act, the COVID-19 pandemic has added a whole new layer of complexity to the marketing efforts of colleges and universities.
The dimension of this challenge becomes obvious when we consider that higher education is in large part an experience. A bustling campus life, an engaged student body, and alumni organizations that take pride in their alma mater are some of the best calling cards of an exceptional college or university.
But what to do when all these forms of social interaction are restricted or reduced due to exceptional circumstances? Enter large format printing and Print Service Providers (PSPs).
From cutout letters, vinyl wall graphics, and large scale vinyl letters to jumbo prints, custom vinyl wall lettering, and panel letters, the world of large format printing is a veritable treasure trove of resources that universities and colleges can leverage to create an immersive branding environment.
A Distinctive Brand Experience
One of our most recent projects at CR&A Custom demonstrates how institutions of higher education are turning to visual communication as a tool that allows them to keep offering a distinctive brand experience even in a challenging global landscape.
The purpose of this specific project was twofold. On the one hand, it aims to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Claremont McKenna College, founded in 1946, and one of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges.
On the other hand, the graphics serve as the visual kick-off to a new academic year still fraught with hurdles but also imbued with a sense of hope and renewal.
Vinyl street pole banners placed throughout the campus display prominently a “75” in white on a maroon-yellow background with accents in orange. The number is followed by a slogan so that it reads “75 years of responsible leadership.” Also included are the name of the college and the years “1946-2021.”
A large perforated vinyl window graphic bearing a white “75” was placed on the glass structure known as “the Kube” or “the Living Room,” a spectacular study room surrounded by a shallow reflecting pool. A similar window graphic was placed on the college’s dining hall.
It’s worth mentioning that skillful installation is critical to the success of this type of large self adhesive graphics. Since they are visible from both sides of the glass, the application must be impeccable to ensure there are no imperfections. Thanks to the know-how of our team of installers, this exterior window graphic offers a crisp, clean image that delivers the intended impact.
Finally, the project also features a floor graphic that establishes a unique interplay with the iconic fountains located in one of the college’s most heavily trafficked plazas. To create this effect, a vinyl stencil with a “75” and “1946-2021” was used to apply a hydrophobic coating on the floor.
The numbers are virtually unnoticeable when the floor is dry, but when the water from the fountain falls on that section, the hydrophobic coating repels the liquid, revealing the underlying design.
With varying strategies, these graphics converge toward a single goal: providing students and faculty with a unique brand experience that highlights the set of values, principles, and traditions that make their college an outstanding institution.
CR&A Custom: Your Best Option in Large Format Printing
Looking for a dependable, innovative Print Service Provider? CR&A Custom is a large format printing company based in Los Angeles with clients all over the United States and abroad. Our high-quality visual products set our clients apart and take their business to new heights.
Contact us today by email (info@cracustom.com), telephone (213-749-4440), or social media (Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn) for a free estimate or to learn more about our full range of large format printing solutions: building wraps, wall graphics, window decals and graphics, vehicle wraps, exterior window graphics, and more.
By CR&A Custom Inc September 10, 2021
