Our Editorial Style — Photography and Videos

When using imagery, try to capture the Webster Advantage; it’s what sets our University apart. Photography is a major component of our University’s brand. Engaging imagery provides context about our community (the Webster Advantage) without the need to write a single word. Help maintain a high standard of photography by choosing images that are professionally created and reflect the excellence of our University.

DELIVER ON THE STORY and CONCEPT

All creative choices should be governed by a central idea: Tell the story, serve the story. Selected images must do both. Photos should be intrinsically interesting enough to pull in the user while delivering on a defined message or construct.

BE RESOURCEFUL

We are far-reaching, inclusive, diverse and constantly evolving. This mandates flexibility in how we express our brand to different audiences. Each photo must convey a specific attribute of our unique personality.

EXECUTE AT A HIGH LEVEL

All images must be worthy of our world-class institution. We tap different influences to breathe life into our brand and deliver the unexpected, making our content inspirational and approachable.

WHAT WE DO SHOW

Images with multiple, diverse students engaged in an activity are good examples. All photos must have descriptive alt text for ADA compliance for accessibility. 

 

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WHAT WE DON'T SHOW

Images not representational of our University’s diverse student and faculty community.

 

VIDEOS

We recommend that videos be no longer than 2 minutes in length and do not require proprietary software for viewers to watch. So all embedded videos should come from sources maintained by the University, for example, our YouTube channel (exception are hero videos, which are mp4s and can be loaded to media folder. Try to maintain 10 mb. as maximum size for those). Please consider using captions as an additional means of placement. And all videos (except the hero video) must have a transcript in dropdown that also includes the visuals of what is being viewed; not just the words for ADA accessibility compliance. 

 

WHAT WE DO SHOW

Compelling testimonials and narratives with a student, faculty or alumni voice.

 

WHAT WE DON'T SHOW

Graphic-laden and informational videos created with an internal audience in mind.