The Necessity of a Strong Brand
A strong brand communicates the core of an organization to the outside world. Think of the George Mason brand as the DNA that makes us perfectly unique from other universities. Our core values and beliefs make up the foundation of the brand. From this platform we raise four pillars that form the framework for the rest of our brand.
How to Navigate the Brand Guidelines
The George Mason University Brand Guide establishes the standards for how the university is represented across all communications. They ensure consistency, clarity, and alignment with George Mason’s identity, positioning, and strategic priorities.
All university communications—across academic, administrative, and marketing contexts—are expected to follow these guidelines.
Always follow documented brand guidelines rather than existing examples, as materials in circulation may not reflect current standards or may have been created under different brand requirements.
Foundations of the Brand
Get familiar with George Mason’s key messages and marks.
Writing in the Brand
Learn how to write in the George Mason style to create clear, effective content.
Designing Materials
Create content that fits with the George Mason brand.
Brand Resources
Editorial Style
George Mason University follows The Chicago Manual of Style for basic editorial style and Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary for spelling and word hyphenation.
- The Chicago Manual of Style (to access, you must be logged into George Mason’s VPN or using a computer on a George Mason campus)
- For style specific to the university, refer to George Mason’s Editorial Style Guide.
Brand Toolkit
Everything staff need to work in the brand, in one place. Access downloadable templates, complete brand training, consult reference guides and tipsheets, and browse FAQs for quick answers.