Web & Digital Guidelines

Web & Digital Design supports William & Mary's brand across digital platforms, providing standards and best practices for creating consistent, accessible, on-brand experiences. This section includes guidelines for email design and AI tools, with additional resources to follow as our digital design standards continue to grow.

Design Principles

Four principles guide every design decision across W&M's digital platforms.

1. Be Consistent

Create a unified experience across all W&M websites.

• Use shared design patterns, navigation structures and brand elements.
• Build trust and recognition through visual and functional cohesion.

2. Design for Everyone

Ensure accessibility, equity and usability for all audiences.

• Meet or exceed WCAG standards.
• Consider users on all devices and with a range of abilities and backgrounds.

3. Stay Flexible

Support a wide range of content, contexts and needs.

• Use modular, scalable components.
• Adapt to changing technology, strategy and storytelling.

4. Design with Purpose

Every design choice should have a clear intention and meaning. Nothing should be arbitrary.

• Prioritize clarity and simplicity.
• Ensure every element reflects W&M's authentic identity and advances the user's goals.