Democracy Prep Branding Guide

Brand Guidelines

IDENTITY

IDENTITY

The purpose of this guide is to clearly define Democracy Prep® Public Schools’ (DPPS’) brand for our stakeholders. This includes articulating our identity and the components needed to tell our story. This also includes detailed expectations for visual branding in the way we use imagery and how that applies to our digital presence. Our staff and affiliated vendors can use this guide as a resource for information about our brand. By ensuring strong, consistent branding across our network, we are better able to fulfill our mission.

Founded in 2005 and opening our school in 2006, Democracy set out to prove what is possible for public education in the States. Our flagship school, Democracy Prep® Charter Middle first opened its doors in August 2006. By 2009, DPCMS became the highest performing school in Central Harlem and was ranked the number one public middle school in New York City.

By proving that students, regardless of what ZIP code they are born into, can perform at high academic levels, we seek to transform not only the lives of the scholars at Democracy Prep® but also the expectation of what public schools can achieve.

The mission of Democracy Prep Public Schools is to educate responsible citizenscholars for success in the college of their choice and a life of active citizenship.

Key words are in bold throughout our mission for emphasis.

Work Hard. Go to College. Change the World!

CORE VALUES

Democracy Prep’s® core values define our organization’s culture. These ideals guide our work as a network at every level, and they are crucial to telling our story through our internal and external facing brand. «

« MATURITY « BRAVERY « INITIATIVE « GRIT

La misión de Democracy Prep Public Schools

es de educar a alumnos-ciudadanos responsables para el éxito en la universidad de su elección y una vida de ciudadanía activa.

Las palabras clave están en negrita a lo largo de nuestra misión para dar énfasis.

Atención al capital inicial

Trabajamos duro. Vamos a la universidad. ¡Cambiamos el mundo!

Período. Período. ¡Exclamación!

VALORES FUNDAMENTALES

Los valores de Democracy Prep® se definen la cultura de nuestra organización. Estas ideales nos guían a nuestro trabajo en cada nivel, y están cruciales en compartir nuestro narrativa por nuestro estilo interno y externo.

MISSION

Le mission de Democracy Prep Public Schools

est d’éduquer les élèves-civils responsables pour le succès dans l’université de leur choix et une vie de civisme actif.

Les mots clés sont en gras tout au long de notre mission.

DEVISE

Attention au capital initial

Travaillons dur. Nous allons à l’université. Changeons le monde!

VALEURS FONDAMENTALES

Les valeurs de Democracy Prep® définissent le culture de l’organisation. Ces idéaux guident notre travail dans toutes les niveaux et sont crucial dire notre histoire pour notre style interne et externe. « CONTROL

DE SOI RESPONSABILITÉ

TENET VALUES

I am welcome at Democracy Prep, regardless of my academic standing, behavioral standing, income or learning needs.

I study two hours of math and English every day, one hour each of science and social studies as well as arts and physical education.

I am a member of a warm and supportive school environment and my teachers use joy to help me learn.

I learn about civics and what it means to have a voice in my community.

I spend more time in school than my peers at traditional public schools which means I’ll get six more years of instructional time than other students.

My teachers use data to adjust instruction so that it meets my needs and advances my learning daily.

My teachers are some of the most talented and committed educators in the country.

I am a public school student which means core programming at my school is paid for with public dollars.

VALORES DE PRINCIPIO

Soy bienvenido a Democracy

Prep, a pesar de mi situación académica, de conducta, de ingresos o necesidades de aprendizaje.

Estudio dos horas de matemáticas e inglés todos los días, una hora de ciencas y estudios sociales cada una, así como artes ye educación física.

Soy miembro de un ambiente escolar cálido y de apoyo y mis maestros usan la alegría para ayudarme a aprender.

Aprendo sobre el civismo y lo que significa tener una voz en mi comunidad.

Paso más tiempo en la escuela que mis pares en escuelas públicas tradicionales lo que significa qu obtendré seis años más de tiempo de instrucción que los demás estudiantes.

Mis maestors son algunos de los educadores más talentosos y comprometidos en el país.

Mis maestros usan información para ajustar la enseñanza para que cumpla con mis necesidades y mejore todos los días de mi aprendizaje.

Soy un estudiante de escuela pública lo que significa que programación central se paga con dolares públicos.

VALEURS DE PRINCIPE

Je suis bienvenu à Democracy Prep, quels que soient mes résultats scolaires, mes comportements passés, mes revenus ou mes besoins éducatifs.

J’ai deux heures de mathématiques et d’anglais tous les jours, une heure de sciences et une heure d’études sociales, ainsi que des cours d’art et d’éducation physique.

Je fais parti d’un environnement scoilaire chaleureux et encourageeant, et mes enseignants m’aident à apprendre avec bonne humeur.

Je recois une éducation civique et j’apprends ce que veut signifie avoir une voix dans ma communauté.

Je passe plus de temps à l’école que les autres enfants de mon âge qui sont dans des écoles publiques traditionnelles. Je bénéficierai donc de six annés d’enseignement de plus que les autres élèves.

Mes enseignants font parti des éducateurs les plus compétents et les plus dévoués du pays.

Mes professeurs s’appuient sur des donnés pour adapter leur éducation afin qu’elle réponde à mes besoins et me permette de progresser au quotidien.

Je suis élève dans une école publique, ce qui signifie que les programmes de base est financé par des dollars publics.

TONE

Our story, mission, motto, and values shape the tone we use to message our brand. The words that best describe our tone are:

AUDIENCES

Our global target audiences include members within our network as well as their families and communities.

The words we use to describe our staff and scholars tell a story and it is crucial to our mission and brand that they tell an accurate story. In some cases, Democracy Prep® has chosen specific language to make sure that we represent our scholars and schools to the world in a way that is empowering.

those kids our [the communities’] scholars kids scholars

In many communities, the word ‘kid’ is used to identify livestock and is considered offensive when used to refer to people. Our scholars are the heartbeat of our network and we use language to be as inclusive as possible when referring to them.

no excuses high support or high expectations

Democracy Prep® proudly educates all scholars. Our model holds our scholars accountable for reaching their potential, but does so with consistent, timely and tailored support.

serve educate

We present the idea of all scholars having access to an extraordinary education as a deeply ordinary occurrence.

achievement gap opportunity gap

All scholars are capable of achievements. Accessability to opportunity is not always equitable, thus creating gaps which may cause limitations.

low-income students scholars who live in low-income areas

A scholar’s family income should not and does not define their identity. Referring to a low-income area is less accusatory.

BRAND COLORS

Our signature colors were selected to evoke a sense of school and city pride. Our yellow, remiscent of a school bus, NYC taxi cab and No. 2 pencil contrasts with our navy, a popular collegiate blue.

PMS 123

HEX #FFC627

RGB 255, 198, 39

CMYK 0, 23, 91, 0

RGB 0, 59, 112

CMYK 100, 78, 32, 21 20

PMS 541

HEX #003B70

ADDITIONAL COLORS

Our DREAM values and school mascots utilize additional colors to emphasize joy.

ACCENT COLORS

To heighten engagement, the following accent colors may be used within elementary schools, events, our arts program or as needed. These colors are used in addition to—not instead of—our signature yellow and navy.

PMS 389

HEX #CEDE00

RGB 206, 222, 0

CMYK 24, 0, 100, 0

PMS 347

HEX #009844

RGB 0, 152, 68

CMYK 96, 10, 100, 1

PMS 3272

HEX #00A79D

RGB 0,167, 157

CMYK 80, 10, 45, 0

PMS 1645

HEX #FF6B35

RGB 255, 107, 53

CMYK 0, 72, 82, 0

PMS 227

HEX #B00060

RGB 176, 0, 96

CMYK 28, 100, 36, 6

PMS 267

HEX #62259D

RGB 98, 37, 157

CMYK 76, 97, 0, 0

FONTS

Our primary font is Neutra Text. We use different weights of the Neutra Text Family.

PLEDGE

TO OUR FUTURE

I pledge allegiance to my future at Democracy Prep Public Schools.

and to the values for which it stands one team, under DREAM with citizenship and scholarship for all.

FONT APPLICATIONS

SLAB SERIFS

We use slab serifs to emit a collegiate feel. Sports World is our primary slab serif used in our DREAM values. We use additional slab serifs for headlines in various banners and graphics.

SAN SERIFS

While we prefer the use of the Neutra Text Family, sometimes an ulterior font is preferred or may be more accessible. Below are some acceptable san serif substitutions.

Sometimes more elegant messaging is needed for upcoming ceremonies or festivals. We use scripts that compliment Neutra and have strong readability.

Our iconic crest consists of an open book to signify education and reading, a flag to portray our values of civic engagement and mortar boards to celebrate our college driven scholars. To ensure the legibility of the logo, it should be surrounded by a minimum of clearspace. This isolates the logo from competing elements. Using the logo consistently helps to establish and reinforce recognition of the Democracy Prep® brand. Careful attention should always be paid to alignment, font weight, kerning and leading.

margin around = height of both lines

DEMOCRACY PREP

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

STACKED

margin around = height of top line

CREST CONSIDERATIONS

Using the logo consistently helps to establish and reinforce recognition of the Democracy Prep® brand.

PUse on white or gray background

Use on navy or gray background

Use on yellow background

Use on white, gray or yellow background

Use on dark gray or navy background

Use on gray or navy background

CREST CONSIDERATIONS

Our crest is iconic and should not lose its integrity through incorrect use. Please mind the following guidelines.

Never use navy on a dark background

Do not inverse colors by using dark on light

Do not deviate from our palette

Do not squeeze or distort crest

Do not stretch or distort crest

Do not change orientation

Do not reconfigure

Do not block crest with text or other elements

Do not use smaller than 0.35”

DEMOCRACY PREP PUBLIC SCHOOLS

SCHOOL APPLICATIONS

School names are applied to our DPPS logo format keeping fonts and font weights identical. Font size, leading and kerning become adjusted to maintain consistent alignment.

margin around is about the height of both lines

CHARTER MIDDLE DEMOCRACY PREP

margin around is about the height of top line

DEMOCRACY PREP CHARTER MIDDLE Work Hard. Go to College. Change the World!

HORIZONTAL

TURNAROUND CRESTS

We want to be sensitive to the identity and history of existing schools that we have the honor of turning around with Democracy Prep’s® unique model. To aknowledge the groundwork built at these schools, we customize our crest with an adaptation of the school’s original logo.

Bronx Prep was our first Turnaround school outside of Harlem in 2014

Bronx Preparatory

Char ter School

HARLEM DAY CHARTER SCHOOL

CREST VARIATIONS

For a flexible design or program specific look, we offer variations on our standard logo to emphasize appeal while keeping in line with our brand.

SWAG APPLICATIONS

The use of our logo on swag is a means of marketing. We get a return on the cost of production through exposure. When a scholar carries a bag or wears a t-shirt, eyes outside of our network see our brand. Therefore, all swag items must include either the school name or Democracy Prep as well as the crest. We prefer to create swag that matches our network colors. Neutral colors like grays are also acceptable for apparel and swag in order to make our logo stand out. We want products to draw attention to our brand, not distract from it.

IMAGERY

IMAGERY

Powerful imagery increases brand recognition and reinforces the values that Democracy Prep® encompasses. Through stylized graphics, photos and videos, we celebrate DPPS' identity, shape personalities, build relationships and drive interaction to change the world.

STYLE

Our graphics express what it means to be part of the Democracy Prep® family. We use our aesthetics to reinforce and instill our mission, motto and values unto our members. Our graphic style is predominantly vector based imagery that utilizes our signature crest and palette. We appreciate clean edges with a bit of whimsy. Democracy Prep® graphics are used for wayfinding, to educate, to inform of news or upcoming events, to invoke inspiration or behaviorial practices as well as to promote a joyous culture. We celebrate the uniqueness of each campus within a unifiying brand.

IDENTIFIERS

Our crest is the most recognizable physical representation of the Democracy Prep® brand, and we want to be cognizant of this when we produce our graphics. When the public sees a joyous scholar wearing or holding our logo, they associate the two with each other. With enough association, the DPPS crest can evoke joy by itself. We are mindful of how our graphics are perceived and strive to produce them with integrity.

PERSONALITY

The personality of our brand is a direct reflection of those within the Democracy Prep® network. We strive to motivate and inspire our exemplary scholars and staff in order to build model citizens and celebrate school pride.

RELATIONSHIPS

Demcoracy Prep® embraces diversity. Graphics are often used as educational tools. By learning about our cultural differences, we also discover what unifies us and we are able to build stronger relationships with each other and within our communities.

PHOTOS

STYLE

We use photographs to bring the public into the world of Democracy Prep® to create emotional connections. Through our honest approach, audiences have the opportunity to sit next to our scholars, observe classrooms, walk our hallways or see a performance from the front row! Our photos are diverse in setting to encapsulate how it feels to be part of the Democracy Prep® family.

We showcase our mission, motto and values through our staff and scholars. Our scholars are hard working, happy, successful and well-traveled. They are world-changers and future college graduates with a strong sense of pride. Staff members are dedicated, making a difference, happy, ambitious and much more.

IDENTIFIERS

We want to utilize our logo within our photos to increase the association between joy and our brand. The yellow hat is a strong Democracy Prep® identifier. With some creativity, the use of these features can take average photos and turn them into strong images for the Democracy Prep® brand.

PERSONALITY

The personality of our photos is a direct reflection of individuals within our network. We want our images to answer “What kind of scholar goes to Democracy Prep®?” Or “What kind of person does it take to work here?”

RELATIONSHIPS

Our focus on civic engagement and community relationships are qualities that separate us from other schools. They allow the public to interact with our members (positively). Photos depicting relationships are often the most powerful because they evoke strong emotions.

STYLE

We use videos to heighten emotional connections to tell our story. Our videos are used to highlight joy and pride, as seen through graduation or college acceptances. They may also be used as marketing tools for recruitment, enrollment or to hype up an event. No matter the purpose, we want to ensure our videos are of the highest quality. If filming outside of our media specialists, please be cautious around resolution, orientation, lighting and sound. High, crisp resolution should be utilized. If filming on a phone, camera orientation should be horizontal for best screen display. Natural lighting is often best wherever possible with attention to the direction of the light source. Subjects should be well luminated and clearly audible.

IDENTIFIERS

Celebrate the use of Democracy Prep® identifiers and have them visible within video frames. Branded swag, signature colors and signage are all examples of identifiers that can turn a video into a strong well-branded story.

PERSONALITY

Scenes which portray subjects in action, speaking or moving with purpose, help to capture the diverse personalities of our family.

RELATIONSHIPS

Strategic timing and placement can generate interest around subjects that may not be known to outside viewers. An omnsicient lens allows audiences to feel connected to the cast and content.

DIGITAL PRESENCE

DIGITAL PRESENCE

Imagery and text come together for powerful messaging to drive action to achieve our mission. It is very important to have the versatility to include our message and showcase our brand across multiple platforms. Our website and social media pages allow us to reach an extended audience.

Font: Open Sans |

Header: #003B70 |

Body: #5E6163

STYLE

Our website is modern, clean and collegiate in style. We aim to be informative, relevant, and user-friendly to provide a positive experience for our stakeholders.

IDENTIFIERS

Use of our signature colors and the crest are the main identifiers across each page of the Democracy Prep® website.

PERSONALITY

While our schools reside under the umbrella of the Democracy Prep® network, each campus has a unique personality, and they are encouraged to showcase this across their campuses and individual digital platforms.

RELATIONSHIPS

Our website enables viewers to feel connected to the work that we do. It offers an instant way to learn about Democracy Prep®, “meet” our DREAM team, and get involved by supporting valuable causes, joining our family or participating in programs and happenings across our network.

WEB CONSIDERATIONS

It is important to uphold our aesthetic standards across all platforms. When editing web pages, please mind the following guidelines regarding:

« Image Quality

« Staff Photos

« Text Readability

« Hyperlinks

Image Quality

Use crisp images only. Do not use poor quality or low resolution images that appear pixelated.

Staff Photos

Staff images should be cleanly cropped and have consistent proportions, backdrops and a size of 180 x 220px.

Text Readablity

Images with text should be clearly readable with text at a large scale linked correctly to a full-size version.

Hyperlinks

Links should be clearly marked and described so there is no confusion as to what may be clickable.

Sharing information with others has never been easier. Social media gives us the opportunity to share the success of our scholars and Democracy Prep's® unique experiences with the world.

Democracy Prep® Public Schools has social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Flickr, and LinkedIn. We also share stories on the Democracy Prep® Blog.

Any requests to share content to these pages should be directed to the External Affairs team at dpps_externalaffairs@democracy prep.org.

STYLE & PERSONALITY

The personality of the Democracy Prep® brand is a direct reflection of those in our network. Images or videos posted on social media should reflect DREAM values and/or reflect the experiences of Democracy Prep® scholars or staff. We want to be friendly but respectful.

IDENTIFIERS

There are many events, activities, and trips that Democracy Prep® scholars participate in. Therefore, it is important to have identifiers such as the yellow hat, Democracy Prep® swag, branded banners, our logo, or your school’s crest. Including an identifier may not always be possible but a viewer should be able to see your content, or read your caption, and easily make a connection to Democracy Prep®.

RELATIONSHIPS

In addition to connecting with new audiences, social media allows us to build strong relationships with our current stakeholders. We are able to reach many people inside and outside of our network, but it is important to remember that our audiences include parents, elected officials, community members, scholars, and others who trust and respect Democracy Prep®. Be mindful before posting on public platforms. We want to continue to strengthen our relationships with content that reflects our DREAM values.

CHANGE THE WORLD!

The success of the Democracy Prep® brand manifests through our family. Scholars and staff embody and reflect our values as they work hard to close the opportunity gap. Our alumni are thriving as active citizens each with their own story. A strong brand enhances the loyalty and credibility of Democracy Prep®. This allows our story to be heard so that we may persevere to change the world.

Brand Guidelines

Democracy Prep® Public Schools

1767 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10035

©2019 Democracy Prep® Public Schools

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from Democracy Prep® Public Schools except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Created by the DPPS Visual Arts Team: Greg Callan, Ant Hull, Amara Nogee, Wenniao Qu and Milowa Rodriguez.

Special thanks to David Beltran, Rashid Duroseau, Charlotte Hockens, James Lee, Lauren MacLean, Adrienne Nyamsi and Natasha Trivers.

www.DemocracyPrep.org

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world!

—Nelson Mandela

Democracy Prep® Public Schools