Developing Rocky Vista University’s First Official Brand Guide:
A Case Study

Challenge
When I joined Rocky Vista University (RVU), the brand lacked a cohesive identity. Only a few guidelines existed, such as clear space guidelines and a Primary Color Palette of blue and gold, and they were inconsistently applied across campuses. This created fragmented messaging and visual presentation, diluting the University’s professional image.

Process
I led the creation of RVU’s first comprehensive Brand Guidebook, overseeing the entire project from concept to execution, and eventually to completion. My role included:

• Auditing and refining existing guidelines, then building out full standards for typography, color palettes, logo usage, voice and tone, and collateral design.
• Writing all copy and designing every layout, ensuring the guide was both user-friendly and visually aligned with RVU’s brand personality.
• Partnering with Fixafire Photography to develop a professional photo bank that authentically represents RVU’s students, faculty, and staff. I worked with the Marketing team to coordinate schedules, events, and participants across all three campuses (Colorado, Utah, and Montana) to capture a comprehensive set of assets.

Outcome
The final Brand Guidebook established a unified, professional framework for RVU’s communications. It has become the cornerstone resource for faculty and staff, empowering them to confidently represent the University with consistency and impact across all marketing channels. In addition, I have led multiple brand training sessions, including workshops for the Marketing team and a University-wide training, to ensure adoption and confidence in applying the new standards.