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Identity

Brand Position

How do we ensure what Clemson has to say resonates with our key audiences?

Students run with large orange and white Clemson flags.

Identity

Brand Position

How do we ensure what Clemson has to say resonates with our key audiences?

Brand Expression

The brand expression of Clemson University depends greatly on the audience that is experiencing it and the subject matter that is being communicated. Many very different but true-to-Clemson attributes can be demonstrated through our brand expression to best resonate with our audience. This is why we approach all our brand elements and systems as existing on a set of spectrums. 

Any use of Clemson’s branding should fit into one or more of our brand spectrums. Because our people, places and the work we do are truly special, Clemson’s brand communication should not feel like a generic catchall. Instead, we look for ways that brand expression can lean into the attributes that make Clemson unique.

In our Fiercely Forward brand portal, communicators and marketers will find guidance in a more detailed brand kit that includes the following resources:

  • Brand voice and tone
  • Personas
  • Audience matrixes
  • Brand voice spectrums
  • Sample brand creative

Brand Spectrums

The brand expression of Clemson University depends greatly on the audience that is experiencing it and the subject matter that is being communicated. Many very different but true-to-Clemson attributes can be demonstrated through our brand expression to best resonate with our audience. This is why we approach all of our brand elements and systems as existing on a set of spectrums.

Any use of Clemson’s branding should fit into one or more of our brand spectrums. Because our people, places and the work we do are truly special, Clemson’s brand communication should not feel like a generic catchall. Instead, we look for ways that brand expression can lean into the attributes that make Clemson unique. Because at Clemson, we are:

Below is an arrow showing a range of associative feelings of local and global conveyed through related subjects such as Editorial Approach, Photography, Research, Infographics.
LOCAL
GLOBAL

LOCAL

A two-sided arrow indicating the spectrum between local and global.

GLOBAL

ASSOCIATIONS: Editorial Approach, Photography, Research, Infographics

Below is an arrow showing a range of associative feelings of traditional and modern conveyed through related subjects such as Campus Architecture, Programming, Culture, Typography, Illustration
TRADITIONAL
MODERN

TRADITIONAL

A two-sided arrow indicating the spectrum between traditional and modern.

MODERN

ASSOCIATIONS: Campus Architecture, Programming, Culture, Typography, Illustration

Below is an arrow showing a range of associative feelings of Spirited and Studious conveyed through related subjects such as Tone of Voice, Color, Brand Personality, Photography.
SPIRITED
STUDIOUS

SPIRITED

A two-sided arrow indicating the spectrum between spirited and studious.

STUDIOUS

ASSOCIATIONS: Tone of Voice, Color, Brand Personality, Photography

Below is an arrow showing a range of associative feelings of Expressive and Technical conveyed through related subjects such as Iconography, Illustration, Editorial Approach.
EXPRESSIVE
TECHNICAL

EXPRESSIVE

A two-sided arrow indicating the spectrum between expressive and technical.

TECHNICAL

ASSOCIATIONS: Iconography, Illustration, Editorial Approach

Takeaway:

Brand spectrums function as a thought device to help communicators and creators consider how their creative executions align with the overall brand identity of Clemson and where opportunities exist to lean into authentic creative directions that will resonate with their audiences.