Social Media

Social media is one of the primary touchpoints between the university, its community, and other audiences. It is important that all faculties, schools, and departments present a consistent profile for immediate brand recognition.

Social Media Resources

Official Queen鈥檚 profile pictures and cover photo image size information is available to help faculties, schools, and departments represent the university on social channels with consistency.

Access social media resources

Visual Identity Guide

The Visual Identity Guide outlines the elements that create the Queen's brand style, as well as the full set of guidelines for the correct and consistent application of the visual identity. It is recommended to view the online PDF to ensure that you are referencing the most up-to-date version.

View the Visual Identity Guide (PDF 10.2 MB)

Account Naming Conventions

To support search engine optimization and brand consistency, standardized social media platform naming should be used across all faculties, departments, and any other Queen鈥檚 University groups.

Username (account name):

@queensuunitname
(A shortened unit name may be necessary
to fit Twitter鈥檚 small character limit of 15)

Profile Name (appears on page or bio):

Queen鈥檚 University Unit Name
or
Queen's U Unit Name
(This option may be required when unit
names exceed channel character limit)

Example Account Naming Conventions

Profile NameUsername
Queen鈥檚 University Law@queensulaw
Queen鈥檚 University Student Affairs@queensustudentaffairs
Queen鈥檚 University Research@queensuresearch
Queen鈥檚 University Library@queensulibrary

For assistance with naming convention development, contact the University Relations Brand Team.

Profile Pictures

For brand consistency and to support instant recognition across all social channels, profile pictures for all faculty, school, and department accounts must be the Queen鈥檚 shield on a white background.

Note that the placement of the shield is different in a square or circle, so choose the right profile picture for each platform. 

Download and utilize the profile picture files as they are provided.

Please note that the shield profile picture is reserved for approved units only. If you would like to request use of the official profile picture, contact the University Relations Brand Team.

Square profile picture

Square Profile Picture

Circle profile picture

Circle Profile Picture

Social media profile picture in situ in Instagram on a mobile phone

Cover Photos

Social media cover photos should be a photograph showcasing the area of study or work. A unit鈥檚 building or a relevant detail shot can also be effective.

Ensure your cover photo is cropping well on all devices, including desktop, tablet, and mobile. Reduce the size of your desktop window to test how the image responds at different desktop window widths.

No text, graphics, or logos are to be used as or on the cover photo.

When choosing photos, refer to the photography and videography guidelines. Remember to consider equity, diversity, inclusion, and indigeneity when selecting your cover photo, as well as obtaining the proper consent.

Sizing

Always refer to these as they vary for different social platforms and can change over time.

Social media cover photo in situ in Facebook on a laptop and mobile phone

Post and Story Templates

To aid in the creation of branded social media posts and stories, templates have been created in a free design program. A variety of layouts have been created for all social platforms and new templates will be added over time.

When posting on social media, consider each platform鈥檚 grid and feed to ensure variety in the colour and design of the content. Consider including a high proportion of photographic posts.

Access the social media templates.

Queen鈥檚 social media accounts are considered 鈥渂randed environments鈥. They should always feature the Queen鈥檚 shield as the profile picture and the name of the unit as the social media handle above each post. For this reason, it is not recommended to include a logo or lockup in social post creative. For organic posts, it is recommended to keep the copy on the artwork to a minimum. Only display the most high-level information and add the details in the post copy.

Facebook, Instagram and story social media templates

Do not add a logo or lockup in social post creative

DO NOT include a logo or lockup in social post creative.

Do not include detailed information in social post creative

DO NOT include detailed information in social post creative.

Keep only the most high-level information in social post creative

DO retain only the most high-level information in the creative and include the details in the post copy.

Digital Advertising

When creating social media posts or paid digital advertising, the environment in which the communication will appear should determine the branding elements to include.

For organic social media posts, it is recommended to keep the copy on the artwork to a minimum and ensure good legibility of the type. Organic posts may feature more photography with details in the post copy, while paid posts may contain high-level information in the creative.

By contrast, a Queen鈥檚 logo or lockup should be included in paid DV360 ads that appear in an unbranded environment to ensure strong brand recognition.

Example of an organic Instagram social post in a branded environment

Organic Instagram social post in a branded environment.

Example of a paid Instagram advertisement in a branded environment.

Paid Instagram advertisement in a branded environment.

Example of a paid advertisement in an unbranded environment.

Paid advertisement in an unbranded environment.