The Division of Corporate Affairs at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) hosted a webinar pertaining to the recently revised DUT Brand Guidelines on 6 August 2021, via MS Teams.
Giving a better understanding to the DUT community of the process that needs to be followed when using the DUT logo and how to ensure brand consistency, was Ms Noluthando Mchunu, Interim Manager from the Design Studio.
She relayed that the Vice-Chancellor and principal at DUT, Professor Thandwa Mthembu had instructed the DUT to change all old logos on all platforms in 2019 and thus encourage the DUT community to revise their email signatures, documents and templates to reflect the bilingual logo.
Mchunu spoke on the purpose of the DUT Brand Guide and more on the rules and usage applications of the DUT’s corporate identity.
“Within this brand manual, you will find all possible executions of the DUT logo, including specifications on the correct colour, size, and format usage. You will also find information on how to use the logo with its visual semantics and how these are applied to a range of marketing and promotional material. We encourage you to make use of these guidelines whenever working with the DUT brand to ensure that the logo is reproduced accurately and consistently and in keeping with compliancy of the DUT brand and corporate identity,” she said.
She explained on DUT’s brand position, vision, the logo and variations. Mchunu indicated that the ENVISION2030 logo represents DUT’s brand values and guiding principles that drive the DUT brand’s internal culture and external engagement.
“ENVISION2030 holds core guiding principles and values of how the University should be when representing the DUT brand and how the University should fulfil on its intent of improving lives and livelihoods. These principles and values act as pillars that assist in promoting the brand’s vision and tie in directly to the University’s brand’s purpose. The ENVISION2030 logo has been designed to complement the DUT logo and should be used in conjunction with the DUT logo on all corporate and marketing elements,” she said.
Mchunu spoke on the faculty logos, the placement of DUT logos, DUT logo patterns and colour usage. She relayed that to access the Brand Guidelines, it is available on the DUT Staff Portal, or one can type in Brand Identity Guidelines and the link will become available.
Giving a more depth understanding on the rules and permission for branding and DUT logo use was Ms Vasantha Govender, Manager: Marketing, Public Relations and Events.
She indicated that in terms of the DUT logo types usage guideline, it provides the DUT’s requirements regarding the use of the DUT logo and all branding features of the DUT logo.
“The DUT logo, sub-brands, event logos etc. are the sole and exclusive property of DUT. Your use of any word mark and or logo implies acceptance of and agreement with the terms of the brand guideline. Any use of the DUT logo and its variants outside the DUT Brand guidelines is not permitted. An appeal is made to all users to kindly comply with the Brand guideline,” she said.
Govender spoke on the rules for using the DUT Logo, stressing that permission is granted to the DUT community to use the DUT logo, brand marks and logos only under terms and conditions.
“DUT’s logo is for internal use only. The DUT logo is not available for use in commercial sales and individual fundraising. This is strictly prohibited unless otherwise expressed in writing by an authorised office at DUT. The DUT logo or any sub-brand may be used in any way that suggests that DUT is affiliated with a particular organization unless pre-approval is given by the DUT. The DUT logo may not be used in any way that mischaracterises any relationship between the DUT, you and an external agency or organisation. Also, vendors may not use the DUT logo to advertise DUT to any of its members or clients and promotional material without DUT’s written permission and which must be requested in writing,” she said.
She also explained that the DUT logo is a distinctive, designed graphic artwork, owned by DUT.
“The DUT logo may not be used or displayed in a manner that is false or misleading, or in any manner that violates any law, regulations or public policy,” she said.
Govender said that as the need to address future branding concerns arises, the DUT may cancel, modify or change the terms of this usage guideline.
She stressed that for further enquiries on the DUT logo, usage and guidelines, attendees are welcome to contact her on govenderv@dut.ac.za.
Pictured: A snapshot of the ENVISION2030 logo.
Waheeda Peters
