Graphics Provide A New Look for Duke Videos

Videos produced by Duke are viewed more than three million times annually -- on YouTube alone. An updated package of university video graphics, part of the university's style guide, aims to give those videos a compelling and consistent style.

The package features a new opening sequence for Duke videos. An aerial shot swoops up Chapel Drive and then dissolves into the university wordmark as viewers hear the familiar peal of the Chapel bell and a student saying, "This is Duke University." The package also provides a crisper way of presenting titles, names and charts and of ending videos. Everything follows the color palette in the university's style guide. Individual units can customize the graphics by adding their own name, logo or secondary opening video sequence.

Watch a tutorial on using the graphics.

"This graphics package equips campus video producers with a sharp, professional style for telling their stories," said James Todd, video manager at Duke’s Office of News and Communications (ONC). "It also gives viewers a sense of continuity among Duke videos."

Three offices collaborated to develop the graphics: ONC, Development and Marketing and Strategic Communications (OMSC). The video elements are part of the revised Duke style guide, developed by Denise Haviland and Blyth Morrell in OMSC. ONC's Todd managed the video graphics project. The animation and editing were done by Carson Mataxis, senior visual media producer at ONC and Development. Jonathan Lee, ONC's web content manager and graphic designer, designed the graphical elements. Sonja Foust, senior program coordinator at ONC, will support campus staff in implementing the graphics. Videos produced with the new graphics will begin appearing immediately on the Duke YouTube channel.

To obtain the new graphics, campus video producers should email video@duke.edu.