Brand Guidelines

This guide provides a framework for logo standards, typography, and color, and provides examples of the system in use. These guidelines will help you create materials that are distinct and recognizable, visually positioning the City of San Rafael as “The City with a Mission.”

Logo & Seal

The design for the City’s logo and seal balances the city’s architectural heritage with the surrounding natural landscape. To ensure visual balance and branding clarity, the logo should always be surrounded by an ample amount of space, clear of text and graphic elements.

Signature

Using consistent email signatures for email accounts allows us to present a professional appearance as well as create brand alignment while relaying relevant contact information.

The following are recommended guidelines for all staff members using an email account:

• Less is more: Email signatures should be under 10 lines. If you feel you need to add more information, use pipes (|) to separate components adding two spaces between content and pipes.
• Font: Use 10-point Arial for Name and City. Use 8-point Arial for all other.
• Color: Stay consistent with the brand color palette.
• Phone numbers: Include the phone and/or fax numbers you use regularly in an effort to make it easy for others to reach you. Don't include a cell or fax number if it's not something you often use or want to share broadly.
• Social media: Adding links to social media channels is optional; feel free to promote the main accounts on Facebook and Twitter (see below) or your own office, division, or center's accounts. Using links is preferable to images or logos.

Sample Email Signature:

Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Typography

The City's preferred font types are Bw Mitga (headers and large applications) and Lato (documents and body text). Follow these steps to add them to your computer.

1. Open the "Branding" folder in CM-Media Drive and select "Fonts."
2. Open the folder containing the font you want to add.
3. Open the Control Panel.
4. Switch to an icon view.
5. Open the "Fonts" option.
6. Drag the font file into the Fonts window.
7. Launch Word and select your new font.

A sharp, voluptuous, sans serif font with a unique and strong personality. Use Bw Mitga when you want to match the logo font. Good for primary headers, posters, and in other large contexts. Click here to download the font.

The semi-rounded details of the letters give Lato a feeling of warmth, while the strong structure provides stability and seriousness. Use for letters, documents, and other body text.

Signage

City signage uses the font Brandon Grotesque which is not widely available. Josefin Sans is a close proximate for designers using Canva. Contact Digital for assistance and questions about wayfinding branding.

Photography

Humans are visual creatures and photography can help promote and communicate information. Images capture our attention and help us process information quickly.