Design Guidelines
You may notice the templates look different than the current campus home page design. The revised design is an evolution based on feedback which was incorporated from campus units and end users to address requests for:
- a smaller header footprint,
- a more lightweight color scheme,
- more flexibility to incorporate secondary branding and accommodate each department's unique needs, while maintaining the integrity of the overall UC San Diego brand.
Sample Home Page Layout
The following shows what a sample home page could look like using the Web Templates.
Header Strip (Required)
- The header strip is a required element on each site.
- It will include the Web site name on the left side and the UC San Diego logo and message platform on the right side.
- Clicking the “Site Name” will take the user back to that Web site’s home page.
- Clicking the “UC San Diego logo” will take the user back to the UC San Diego home page.
In order to maintain a consistent appearance across campus Web sites, please do not include logos or taglines in the Site or Academic Unit name area.
We ask that units make every effort possible to use the blue header included in the templates. There is an alternative option, which is a white header with the Site or Academic Unit name and logo text in a dark color. Please contact the Campus Web Office for information about this alternative.
Footer (Required)
The footer should be present on all pages within the Web site and look the same across each page.
- “Terms & Conditions” will link to the UC San Diego terms.
- Feedback should link to the mechanism Web site owners use to solicit feedback from end users.
Optional Site-Wide Elements
Though optional, the following elements are available and recommended to enhance brand consistency.
Global Site Navigation
The following global navigation should be persistent across the Web site.
Sub-Navigation
A consistent style for sub-navigation is also provided. The sub-navigation should be included on the left side of the site and be in the same location throughout.
Graphic
A graphic can be included above the sub-navigation to reinforce secondary branding.
Search
The search strip includes a drop-down selection for the following searches:
- "This Site” will search the Web site the user is currently on.
- “All UCSD Sites” will search across the entire UCSD domain.
- “Faculty/Staff” will search the Faculty & Staff people directory.
- “Students” will search the Student people directory.
Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs (illustrated below) are a navigation aid used in Web design. They give users a way to keep track of their location within the site and are included in the revised design.
