Division of Research, Innovation and System Information (DRISI) Branding Guidelines

Branding Guidelines

Division Design Updated Division of Research, Innovation and System Information (DRISI) PM² Communications Office 05/2024

Foreword

These branding guidelines outline how to use the DRISI visual identity with confidence and clarity. The guidelines have been designed to ensure consistency within the DRISI brand, helping to create strong, recognizable, and innovative communications. For questions, please contact:

Graphic Design Branch: kaitlin.tichansky@dot.ca.gov

Communications Office: brandon.shoemaker@dot.ca.gov

Overview & Vision 04

Overview

The California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans’) mission is to provide a safe and reliable transportation network that serves all people and respects the environment. Caltrans carries out its mission through its programs. The Division of Reasearch, Innovation and System Information (DRISI) is overseen by Planning & Modal Programs (PMP).

The following divisions are currently part of PMP:

• Data and Digital Services (DDS)

• Local Assistance (DLA)

• Planning and Modal Program Management (PM²)

• Transportation Planning (DOTP)

• Research, Innovation and System Information (DRISI)

The PM² Communications Office supports graphic & branding needs, communication needs, web management, and ADA compliance throughout PMP. To work with the PM² Communications Office, please submit a request through the PM² Communications Office Service Request Form. The request will be assigned to a team member who will get in contact within 24 hours.

Graphic Design 06

Logo

There are two versions of the DRISI logo: one for use on a white or light-colored background and one for use on a black or dark-colored background. The version for use on a dark-colored background includes a white outline around the logo.

The DRISI logo has three components: (1) The primary name (also referred to as a logotype or wordmark); (2) the division name; and (3) the tagline.

These components have been carefully drawn and proportioned and should never be redrawn, altered, or distorted.

Full Color (light background)

Full Color (dark background)

Acceptable & Unacceptable Logo Usage

Do not rearrange the logo elements

Do not change the logo colors

Do not change logo proportions

Do not remove any part of the logo

Safe Zone & Size

Clear space creates breathing room for the logo. It prevents the logo from becoming crowded by images, text, or other graphics that can lessen its impact and visibility.

The clear space is derived from X, which is measured by the height of the tagline box at the bottom of the logo.

Clear space should always be at least 1x on all sides of the logo. This amount of space should be increased whenever possible.

The minimum size of the full-color logo is measured by the horizontal width, which should not be reduced smaller than 0.75 inches in height (54 px for digital).

Clear-space and size requirements are the same for all versions and configurations of the logo. This includes placement on a photograph.

Logo Usage:

Co-Branding

In all external communications, the DRISI logo must appear with the Caltrans logo. In most internal communications, the DRISI logo should appear with the Caltrans logo. Logo arrangement should consider the relative size, spacing, and alignment of the two logos.

In both the horizontal and vertical arrangement, the vertical Caltrans logo should be used. In a vertical arrangement, the Caltrans logo must be spaced half the height of the gray portion of the DRISI logo (1/2x) and be placed above the DRISI logo. The logos should be left-aligned. The logos should be the same width in this arrangement.

In a horizontal arrangement, the Caltrans logo must be spaced 1x the width of the “SI” in the DRISI logotype and be placed to the left of the DOTP logo. The logos should be the same height in this arrangement.

Note: The DRISI logo magnets or stencils should be used on all physical research items to properly attribute the research to DRISI.

Vertical Arrangement

Horizontal Arrangement

Color Palette

12

Primary

Color Palette

The primary color palette is composed of six colors that can be applied to all materials, including core branded assets (e.g. DRISI PowerPoint Template, DRISI Stationary, etc). Always ensure the selected color supports the content and maintains both readability and legibility.

Text and imperative (non-decorative) graphics must pass minimum color contrast threshold (WCAG 2.1, Level AA) for ADA accessibility.

Pantone

CMYK

PMS 433

33, 3, 0, 95 22, 41, 51 #162933

PMS 631

67, 0, 12, 2 62, 177, 200 #3eb1c8

PMS Cool Gray 1

0, 0, 0, 6 217, 217, 214 #d9d9d6

PMS 7540

0, 0, 0, 72 75, 79, 84 #4b4f54

PMS 3105

43, 0, 12, 0 103, 210, 223 #67d2df

PMS 1235

0, 31, 98, 0 255, 184, 28 #ffb81c

Expanded Color Palette

The expanded color palette includes the primary color palette colors, but allows for more flexibility with the addition of lighter tints, darker shades, and complementary colors. Shades and tints of the colors in the expanded palette are acceptable. It is important to note that the colors in this expanded palette should be used as accents or contrast to the primary colors and should not dominate a design. The expanded color palette may be used on custom reports, plans, or templates, but should not be used on core branded assets.

Pantone

CMYK

Pantone

CMYK

PMS 326

87, 0, 38, 0 0, 178, 169 #00b2a9

PMS 299 85, 19, 0, 0 0, 163, 224 #00a3e0

PMS 3105

43, 0, 12, 0 103, 210, 223 #67d2df

PMS 317 18, 0, 8, 0 177, 228, 227 #b1e4e3

PMS 1235

0, 31, 98, 0

255, 184, 28 #ffb81c

Pantone

CMYK

PMS 327

100, 0, 44, 17

0, 134, 117 #008675

PMS 7468

100, 10, 0, 28

0, 115, 152 #007398

PMS 631

67, 0, 12, 2 62, 177, 200 #3eb1c8

PMS 563 49, 3, 25, 0 128, 199, 196 #80c7c4

PMS 151 0, 48, 95, 0 255, 130, 0 #ff8200

PMS 342 100, 0, 71, 43 0, 103, 71 #006747

PMS 433 33, 3, 0, 95 22, 41, 51 #162933

PMS 7540 0, 0, 0, 72 75, 79, 84 #4b4f54

PMS Cool Gray 1 0, 0, 0, 6 217, 217, 214 #d9d9d6

PMS 1595 0, 59, 100, 0 216, 96, 24 #d86018

Typography

Typography

Century Gothic Pro is the official typeface for DRISI. In the event that Century Gothic Pro is unavailable, Century Gothic may be used as an alternative. For usage in a headline or subhead, use Bold. For usage in body copy, use Regular.

Century Gothic Pro can be used in sentence case, lower-case, and all caps. Headlines primarily use sentence case and lowercase. This typeface works well with long sentences.

Headlines and subheads look best tracked out at 25-50 pts.

Primary

Aa Aa

Century Gothic Pro/Centrury Gothic Bold

AaBbCcDdEeFfGgHhIiJjKkLlMmNn

OoPpQRrSsTtUuVvWwXxYyZz

1234567890 !¡”#%&’()*+÷-±,./|\:;<=>¿?@ “‘~`-[\]^_{|}€§°•≤≥¯Æ’”±—‚·°‡fl fi ›‹€

Century Gothic Pro/Century Gothic Regular

AaBbCcDdEeFfGgHhIiJjKkLlMmNn

OoPpQRrSsTtUuVvWwXxYyZz 1234567890 !¡”#%&’()*+÷-±,./|\:;<=>¿?@ “‘~`-[\]^_{|}€§°•≤≥¯Æ’”±—‚·°‡ flfi ›‹€

Typography

In the event that Century Gothic Pro is unavailable on a web-based application, an alternative web-safe font may be used. This font should only be used if Century Gothic is unavailable. The approved web-safe font is Arial.

Web-Safe Font

Arial Black

AaBbCcDdEeFfGgHhIiJjKkLlMmNn

OoPpQRrSsTtUuVvWwXxYyZz

1234567890 !¡”#%&’()*+÷-±,./|\:;<=>¿?@ “‘~`-[\]^_{|}€§°•≤≥¯Æ’”±—‚·°‡flfi›‹€

Arial Bold

AaBbCcDdEeFfGgHhIiJjKkLlMmNn

OoPpQRrSsTtUuVvWwXxYyZz 1234567890 !¡”#%&’()*+÷-±,./|\:;<=>¿?@ “‘~`-[\]^_{|}€§°•≤≥¯Æ’”±—‚·°‡flfi›‹€

Arial Regular

AaBbCcDdEeFfGgHhIiJjKkLlMmNn

OoPpQRrSsTtUuVvWwXxYyZz 1234567890 !¡”#%&’()*+÷-±,./|\:;<=>¿?@ “‘~`-[\]^_{|}€§°•≤≥¯Æ’”±—‚·°‡flfi›‹€

Shapes & Patterns

Shapes

Circles and gears are the primary shapes in the DRISI brand and may be used to add visual interest to a layout. They may overlap and vary in size. Because these shapes work in tandem with photography, it helps to figure out which mask arrangement works best within the layout and to select photography that fits best within the shape.

Patterns

DRISI branding includes one pattern that can be used in division materials to add visual interest to a layout.

The pattern includes gears, arrows, circles, and connecting lines. These are versatile elements that reflect the themes of research, innovation and system information advancing the California transportation system. Colors may be customized in this element, so long as they fall within the DRISI color palette. Specific instructions on constructing this pattern can be found in the Gear Pattern Style Guide.

Photography 21

Photography

The imagery used by DRISI branding should depict California-based transportation and locations, research projects, lab and test-site locations, and innovative solutions. Photos should be professionally shot and of the highest quality/resolution (no less than 150 dpi and up to 300 dpi).

Iconography

Iconography

DRISI utilizes a simplistic, single-color, lined icon style. The icons must meet the following parameters:

• Single-color (white or black)

• Lined style

• Simplistic

• 0.5 x 0.5 inches actual size

*Acronyms may be used for custom department/program sub-branding icons, but may not be used for the standard icons.

Ideally, icons should fill the entire 0.5 x 0.5 inches active area; however, that may not always be possible. At minimum, the icon must fill either 0.5 inches height or 0.5 inches width. Icons should maintain a clear space equal to 1/4 the height or width (whichever is greater).

For more information about designing icons, please refer to the PMP Icon Design Standards.

Icon Examples

Additional icons are available on the PMP website in white or black, on transparent backgrounds.

Program / Department Icons

Program and department icons provide offices the ability to implement subbranding on materials. These icons follow the same style as standard DRISI icons, but must (1) be used in conjunction with division or Caltrans branding and (2) take a secondary and less prominent position as Caltrans/division branding on assets.

These icons must meet all icon parameters outlined on page 24, but may include an acronym.

Examples

Califor nia Freight Advisory Committee

Reconnecting Communities: Highways to Boulevards

Branded Assets

Business Documents

DRISI business documents found on the DRISI website include key deliverables, such as the division’s stationary and agenda minutes/documents.

Stationary:

8.5 x 11.5 inches

Agenda/Minutes:

8.5 x 11.5 inches

Stationary

Agenda/Minutes

Presentation Deck

The slides of the presentation deck follow the overall theme represented in the DRISI brand. The slides should always use Century Gothic typeface and the point size of the font should not be changed. If content does not fit on one slide, an additional slide should be added to continue the flow of text.

Email Signature

The DRISI email signature is designed to work in both Outlook regular and dark mode.

First Last Name

[Working Title]

[Branch]

Division of Research, Innovation and System Information (xxx) xxx-xxxx

Chat With Me on Teams!

Virtual Meeting

Backgrounds

The DRISI virtual meeting backgrounds can be used in the Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx platforms.

Communications

Voice

“Voice” is an organization’s unique personality or brand identity. It is the tone, style, and messaging an organization uses to communicate with both stakeholders and employees. Planning & Modal Program’s voice reflects Caltrans mission, vision, values, goals, and culture.

Planning & Modal Program’s voice strives to be consistent across all communication channels for all divisions – from outreach materials to stakeholder interactions.

Three keys to a strong and consistent voice:

Create a memorable brand identity that stakeholders easily recognize and relate to.

Build trust and loyalty with stakeholders to create a sense of reliability and dependability.

Improve communication and collaboration within Planning & Modal Programs to have a clear understanding of how to represent products and services with stakeholders.

Voice cont.

To develop Planning & Modal Programs’ voice, employees must:

• Clarify how the communication effort ties into Caltrans’ mission, vision, values, and goals

• Identify the target audience, and

• Determine the appropriate tone and style of communication.

Each step should involve input from stakeholders, including employees, management, and partners so the voice is authentic and resonates with the intended audience. By developing a clear and consistent voice, Planning & Modal Programs can build trust and improve communication and collaboration within Caltrans and our external partners.

Tone

“Tone” is the expressive quality of communication and language. It is the way Planning & Modal Programs conveys its message and interacts with its audience. Tone can range from formal and professional to casual and conversational, depending on the situation and audience.

It is important for Planning & Modal Programs to establish clear guidelines and training for employees on the appropriate tone to use in different situations. Planning & Modal Program’s tone should align with Caltrans’ mission, vision, values and goals. Per GOV 6219 , Planning & Modal Program documents should be written in “plain, straightforward language and avoid technical terms as much as possible.” Inconsistencies in tone can lead to confusion or mistrust among stakeholders and can damage Planning & Modal Programs’ and Caltrans’ reputations.

Tone cont.

There are four different types of tone that Planning & Modal Programs’ employees may use in a business setting:

Formal and Professional: Used in more formal settings such as contract negotiations, official communications, or legal documents. This type of tone is serious, respectful, and authoritative. Formal language and proper grammaris required. The goal is to convey professionalism, competence, and reliability.

Conversational and Friendly: Used to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, such as in customer service or social situations. This type of tone is casual, empathetic, and informal. The goal is to create a sense of approachability, understanding, and relatability.

Authoritative and Instructional: Used to provide clear and concise instructions or guidance in a business setting, such as training manuals, policy writing, or other types of technical instruction. This type of tone is authoritative, instructional and uses clear and direct language. The goal is to convey a sense of expertise, confidence, and clarity.

Inspirational and Motivational: Used to inspire and motivate employees or customers, such as in staff meetings, presentations or speeches, or in outreach. This type of tone is positive, uplifting, and encouraging. The goal is to create a sense of excitement, inspiration, and motivation.