Education

We sharpen the profile of universities and give your brand a clear voice that shows what makes your institution unique in the competition.

Education brands that grow with us

(Overview)

Branding for universities

Universities today are faced with the task of bundling complex content, diverse target groups and a broad portfolio of services under a clear brand. Prospective students expect transparency, researchers want visibility for their topics and partners are looking for a reliable institution with a clear profile. Between these requirements, an inconsistent picture often emerges that leaves potential untapped.

We support colleges and universities in sharpening their identity, anchoring knowledge as a central element of the brand and establishing consistent brand management, from the strategy process through brand design and digital communication to operational implementation.

Current work from the education sector

Stadt Dortmund

Social Media Marketing für Dortmund at work

help and hope Stiftung

Branding für einen Ort, der Zukunft schafft – Gut Königsmühle

(Customer testimonial)

"Schwarz+Matt® is very professional and committed. A brilliant partner, especially for complex brand projects like that of a university."

Philipp Stieffenhofer

Head of Communications, Marketing and Event Management

Geisenheim University

FAQ

Why is brand building so important as a university?

Universities today operate in an environment in which prospective students, researchers and partners from business and society make targeted comparisons. A clear brand helps to clarify your own profile: What is the university’s attitude? What are the main focuses of teaching and research? And what does it stand for in academic competition? A consistent brand structure bundles these answers and creates clarity – both internally and externally. The brand becomes a strategic tool that builds reputation and facilitates decision-making processes.

What role does digital communication play for universities?

Today, study orientation, information searches and academic visibility take place digitally to a large extent. Clear brand management makes navigation easier, creates trust and ensures that important content can be found. Whether website, online student advisory service or social media – digital touchpoints are becoming a central component of the brand experience.

How can faculties and departments be integrated into an overall brand?

Brand architecture plays a major role here. We develop structures that respect the individual focuses of the departments and at the same time ensure a common image of the university. This creates external unity without leveling out internal identities.

What experience does Schwarz+Matt® have in the education sector?

We regularly work with colleges, universities and research institutions – from strategic positioning and brand architecture to visual identity and digital communication. Our projects range from international universities to specialized education providers. It is crucial for us to make complex content understandable and to develop brands that convey scientific quality and social relevance in equal measure.

How does a collaboration with Schwarz+Matt® as an educational brand work?

It all starts with a joint analysis: what makes the institution special, what goals does it pursue and which target groups does it want to reach? On this basis, we develop a clear positioning, precise messages and a visual identity that works consistently across all means of communication – from the university website to student communication. The process is transparent, works with iterative results and involves internal stakeholders such as departments, marketing or the Executive Board in a structured manner.

(New business)

Contact

André Schirmer

Founder & Managing Director

Positioning for universities

Precise positioning helps universities to make their profile clear in a competitive environment. Today, prospective students, researchers and partners are guided by clear statements: What are the institution’s priorities? What values characterize teaching and research? A strategically developed brand identity creates a consistent image that builds trust and communicates the educational mission clearly.

Consistent brand management

Universities communicate via websites, study portals, social media, print materials and departments – often with very different messages. Consistent brand management structures this diversity and ensures that content appears uniform. Clear design rules, defined messages and a common understanding of the brand strengthen recognizability and improve user guidance for all target groups.

Digital visibility for studies and research

Today, the first contact between potential students and partners takes place digitally. A strong university brand enables complex content to be quickly grasped and central topics to be visibly positioned – from study programs and research focuses to transfer projects. Modern websites, accessible navigation and a clear visual language improve digital perception in the long term.

Brand architecture for complex university structures

Faculties, institutes and degree programs need a system that allows for individual focal points and yet strengthens the overall brand. A clear brand architecture allows content to be organized in a structured way and communicated clearly. In this way, the university’s identity remains recognizable, while departments and projects are given enough space to develop their own profiles.