Marketing and Public Relations
The Office of Marketing and Public Relations supports and promotes the programs and services of KCC. The staff provides:
- Design assistance
- Production management services
- Copywriting
- Editing
- Publicity assistance (i.e. posters, press releases, postcards, brochures, catalogs)
- Website and social networking consultation
One of our responsibilities is to create an appropriate, consistent and coordinated image of the college to our external and internal markets. To achieve this goal, the marketing staff works with every department at KCC as well as community partners. Together, we complete more than 1,000 projects per year, including publications, videos, social media, the website and advertising.
The guidelines and information on these pages are intended to make the process of getting our message out as smooth as possible.
College typefaces for documents
Even though our computer word processing programs provide the college with a variety of fonts, Times New Roman should be selected for use as body copy when using college letterhead. Arial is a complementary typeface with a wide variety of styles that can be used for headings, photo captions, tables, etc.
Letterhead
Letters to students, prospective students and constituents should always be formatted as a letter and printed on college letterhead paper. Do not put a document on letterhead unless it is a letter.
Other identities / sub-brands
Individual departments and offices are not permitted to develop their own logo. However, most times there is opportunity for an identity within the college brand and logo standards. Please contact a marketing representative to discuss your needs.
Logos
The KCC identity also includes logos. Review logo usage policy before downloading logos.
PowerPoint templates
Templates are available for download. Their use is not mandatory, but they do help campus communicators create professional presentations that consistently represent KCC to internal and external audiences.
Before you begin using KCC logos, read the logo use policy to ensure you use the logo correctly. Be careful not to alter the logo in any way–college funds may not be used for designs that do not comply with the logo use policy.
KCC Logos, KCC Seal & Cavaliers Logos
Questions and information
If you have questions about downloading and using a logo, please contact the Office of Marketing and Public Relations at eschmidt@kcc.edu or phone 815-802-8275.
For further information about the use of the river graphic element, word mark or logo mark, contact the director of marketing and public relations at 815-802-8256.
Before you begin using KCC logos, read this to ensure you use the logo correctly. Be careful not to alter the logo in any way–college funds may not be used for designs that do not comply with the logo use policy.
Creative Logic
The creative logic for the logo design explains what the graphic elements of the logo mean. The creative logic is rarely used in publications or applications of the logo. However, if people ask what the logo represents, the creative logic provides the information necessary to explain it.
The letters in our logo design represent Kankakee Community College. Beyond this obvious symbolism, the letters identify the college as “KCC” to the community and to students. The college’s constituent groups commonly refer to the college as KCC, and the letters reinforce this identity. Referring to the college as KCC also gives a sense of inclusion to district residents who reside in areas beyond Kankakee.
The font selection breathes life into the letters, giving the letters a sense of forward motion. The forward motion represents how the college strides toward the future and reinforces our mission: Enhancing quality of life through learning.
The two curved lines are stylized to represent river waves. One wave represents the Kankakee River, which is easily identified by our constituents as a feature of the Riverfront Campus. The second wave represents the Iroquois River that joins the Kankakee River east of the campus. The waves combine to represent the unity of the KCC district, showing that the college serves residents of both Kankakee and Iroquois counties. The KCC service area also includes small areas of Grundy and Livingston counties.
Elements of the Logo
- Element 1: The letters of the college name, including the typeface of the design, are referred to as the word mark.
- Element 2: The river graphic, or picture part of the design
- Element 3: The words and graphic, when used together, are referred to as the logo mark.
Each element can be used as a standalone element to represent the college; however, there are guidelines for when and how each can be used. The word mark, river graphic element and logo mark are collectively called the KCC graphic identity.
Except when it is in the body of a message, the Kankakee Community College formal name must always appear in the type face Eurostyle. When used in combination with the river graphic, the logo mark (words and graphic) must be used. When address information is written, it must be preceded by the full name: Kankakee Community College.
The Colors
Colors are an important vehicle to build recognition for a logo, word mark, and logo mark. For example, companies like Coca-Cola® and Home Depot® use specific colors to represent their logos. As a further example, Coca-Cola often is represented in red and black, or in all black, but never in purple or green.
Allowable colors for the KCC logo are:
- KCC red - Pantone: PMS 1945; RGB: R=168 G=12 B=53; hex #C60C46
- KCC blue - Pantone: PMS 540; RGB: R=0 G=51 B=91: hex #003768.
The logo should be all black when PMS 1945 and PMS 540 are not available. It is preferred that the two colors are used.
Solid Color
The KCC river graphic element, word mark and logo mark always must be printed in a solid color, and a “screen” is used with PMS 540 blue only. Screening is the process of printing something as a grayscale or a percentage of a solid color. The river graphic element, word mark or logo mark are not to be used as an outline. Finally, a rainbow or multiple colors in the river graphic, word mark, or logo mark or other effects are not to be used in any way other than in their original form.
Reverse Printing
Sometimes the river graphic element, word mark, or logo mark appear as part of a dark background. For example, the logo may be used on a navy blue T-shirt or on paper where the background is black or navy blue. In cases like these, the one-color version of the logo mark, river graphic element or word mark may be reproduced in white.
For use of any other colors for the river graphic element, word mark, or logo mark, approval must be obtained from the KCC Office of Marketing and Public Relations.
Sizing the Elements
Minimum Size
The logo should not be used at a size smaller than 1/4” (0.25) in height, measuring from top of the letter to the baseline of the graphic. The river graphic element may be used in any size to highlight a photo, informational element, headline, or subhead or as a design element.
Safe Area
To allow for maximum legibility, a safe area must be preserved around the logo. Set all elements, such as typography and photographs, away from the logo at a distance equal to one-half of the height of the symbol. Contact the Office of Marketing and Public Relations to discuss specific designs.
1/4" (not scale)
KCC logo safe area
The safe area is one half the height of the symbol.
Do not stretch the logo.
Do not add words or other elements to the logo.
Do not embed the logo within text, such as in a letter.
Rights and Responsibilities
KCC has the right and responsibility to ensure that the river graphic element, the word mark and the logo mark are used consistently with the guidelines. The river graphic element, word mark and the logo should not be used in any way which is inconsistent with this policy. The Office of Marketing and Public Relations reserves the right for final approval of any KCC printed or web-based publication prior to it being published.
Violation of the Graphic Identity Policy
Using the river graphic element, word mark, or logo mark appropriately builds and strengthens the KCC identity. The following are examples of clear violations of the policy through misuse of the river graphic element, word mark or logo mark but are not all inclusive. Violations of the policy can result in loss of budget support, removal of the offending materials from public distribution or legal action in particular cases. Questions regarding the appropriate use of the river graphic element, word mark or logo mark should be directed to KCC’s Office of Marketing and Public Relations.
- The river graphic element, word mark, or logo mark should never be outlined, circled or distinguished from its background by anything other than its color.
- The river graphic element, word mark or logo mark should not be distorted, stretched or manipulated in any way so that the original proportions are changed.
- Do not add words or other elements to the logo.
- Words or other design elements should not be added to any aspects of the KCC graphic identities.
- The logo should not be used more than once on a page.
- The logo should never be recreated or reset.
- The logo should always be oriented horizontally, never vertically or diagonally.
- Earlier versions of the logo were discontinued in 2006 and should not be used.
Promotional items such as pens, magnets, hats, shirts, pins, or clips – also referred to as giveaways – are commonly used to support marketing, education and outreach efforts. They are often used for events and are considered an affordable method of promotion.
The Office of Marketing and Public Relations will coordinate the ordering process for all giveaway items to be used by KCC departments and special programs to ensure proper usage standards and consistency of the KCC logo and name of the college.
What You Provide
The Proposed Item
If you have a clear idea of what you want to order, that’s good. Even if you aren’t sure, that’s OK, too. Either way, work with Senior Administrative Specialist Stephanie Pizzoferrato, 815-802-8253, to select the best item for your need, and she will check vendors for pricing.
Completion Date
Generally, place requests at least four weeks ahead for repeat items and six to eight weeks ahead for new projects. This allows time for design, processing, approvals, design imprints and other communication.
Ideas for imprint
As with the item you are ordering, it is best to have an idea ahead of time. Work with Stephanie Pizzoferrato, 815-802-8253, to make sure the “look” of your promotional item is satisfactory. A graphic artist will create a design based on what you need. The design then can be approved or modified as needed.
Ordering and delivery
The requesting department should follow the Business Office requisition process for approval to pay for the item(s). Once the purchase order and design are approved, the items can be ordered.
KCC’s media production services provide printed materials for college faculty and departments. Turnaround times are:
- Tests - 1 business day.*
- Handouts - 2 business days.*
- Bound books or other large jobs - approx. 2 weeks
*When the volume of requests is high – beginning of semester, mid-term, and finals – turnaround times may be longer.
Eprint: electronic print requests
You may submit your request for print materials in person or through Eprint, KCC’s easy-to-use electronic printing request service, which allows faculty and staff to submit a printing request using a web browser.
Request an Eprint account through the KCC Helpdesk. Once your account is active and you know your login information, review the Submitting Print Requests via Eprint guide for details, including logging in, submitting a print order and special instructions for printing PowerPoint presentations. You can also contact Tyler Wheeler for training.
if you want training on on how use eprint email or call me to schedule a time to learn it
If you have questions, contact: Tyler Wheeler at 815-802-8284 or twheeler@kcc.edu
If you forget your password, or have trouble logging on, contact the Information Technology Services Help Desk at 815-802-8900 or helpdesk@kcc.edu.
Eprint turnaround times are the same as other print requests.
Contact
For more information, contact the director of marketing and public relations at 815-802-8256.
KCC uses social media to support the college in accomplishing its mission and achieving its goals and objectives.
We encourage feedback and comments from prospective students, current students, alumni, staff and the community. We are committed to maintaining these sites as safe and family-friendly forums for sharing information.
Courseware pages and individual or student group social media pages are not included in this policy. However, if an employee or student group at the college has a social media presence that could be affiliated with the college, they are encouraged to contact the Office of Marketing and Public Relations. Marketing can provide support, best practices and promotion.
Users of KCC’s social networks acknowledge that KCC and its designees shall have the right in their sole discretion to pre-screen, refuse, or remove any content that is available via the KCC websites and KCC social networking sites. Improper use may subject a student or staff member to disciplinary actions under the Code of Conduct found in the college catalog.
Because the technology that drives web communication changes rapidly, this policy may be adjusted to reflect new issues or for other reasons to support the college’s priorities.
Objective
KCC encourages the use of discussions, postings, photos and videos using social media including Facebook to enhance instruction; inform; build online communities; and share thoughts, ideas, and experiences. Constituencies may include, but are not limited to, current and prospective students, alumni, employees, donors and the community.
Responsible Parties
Marketing department staff are administrators for the college’s major social media sites including, but not limited to, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
To contribute information for the sites, forward your request to nschunke@kcc.edu.
Usage Guidelines
Users of KCC’s social media acknowledge that KCC may or may not pre-screen content, but that the marketing department and its designees shall have the right in their sole discretion to pre-screen, refuse or remove any content on KCC social media sites. Improper use may subject a student or employee to further disciplinary actions under the college’s Code of Conduct.
Please abide by the following guidelines when using social networking solutions, online tools and services related to KCC (such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube).
As a user, you agree not to:
Content Guidelines
All content must relate directly to college business, programs, and/or services. Content cannot promote individual opinions or causes not directly related to college purposes. Content should be short and written in active voice. The style and tone of content should be direct and audience oriented.
Photos and Videos
Photos and videos must relate directly to the college and/or student life and should not be used as a promotional tool for products or services outside the college.
All photos and videos must adhere to existing college policy as found in the support staff, administrators, and faculty handbooks and under the Code of Conduct which can be found in the college catalog.
Other
Existing policies governing student and employee behavior apply to the college’s social media sites. The college takes no responsibility for content developed by non-employees.
Because the social media sites are interactive, the marketing department monitors them closely and frequently.
Any questionable conduct should be reported to knugent@kcc.edu in the marketing department.