Overall Layout

Basic Layout

1. Banner

   Each page of the web site will have the same banner, a major part of tying all sites together. Components include:
   • Logo for UNC Health Care or UNC School of Medicine. If you are on a School of Medicine page, you will see the School of Medicine logo. If you are on a UNC Health Care page, you will see the UNC Health Care logo.
   • Links to UNC Health Care, UNC School of Medicine, and UNC.
   • Search. Find out more about the search under "Site Features".

2. Common Links

   Each page within the system will also have a bar across the top with common School of Medicine or UNC Health Care links. These include links to faculty/staff directories, maps/directions, news, online donations for UNC Medicine, and job postings.

3. Navigation

   Navigation is decided upon by each organization. Up to 4 levels of nested navigation are allowed. For example, in the figure below, "About UNC School of Medicine" is the first level of navigation. Once the user clicks on "About UNC School of Medicine," the second level will appear. If the user clicks on one of the second navigation links, a third level will appear, and so on.  Read more about building the navigation here.
   

4. 2 or 3 Column Layout & Homepage Graphic

   Each organization will be able to select either a 2 or 3-column layout for their site. The first column, the navigation column, will always be present. The second column holds the main content of the site. The third column (if needed) can feature "portlets" such as news, events, and/or your own special feature (e.g., grand rounds, announcements, etc.).
   
   Each homepage will be provided with a professional custom graphic. OIS designers can work with you to determine the most appropriate picture/caption/design, free of charge. If you would like something specialized (e.g., a flash animation, reloading images, etc.), we would be happy to work with you on a charge basis.

Design for Departments, Centers, Programs, and Labs

The Department/Center/Program/Lab design is very similar to the basic layout. We've tried to give you a few options that will help you reach your target audience while still keeping with the School of Medicine's core identity.

1. Common Elements

   As explained in the basic layout, the banner and common link bar will remain the same throughout all sites.

2. Colors/Title

   Each organization will be able to pick a color palette (predefined) to use throughout their site to establish their own identity. In this example, you see the green color throughout this department site. The title of your department/center/program/organization will also appear on every page of your site.

3. Navigation

   As explained in the basic layout, you will be able to choose your own navigation links, taking advantage of up to 4 layers of nested navigation.

4. Contact Info

   Each department/center/program/office site will have a place for general contact information in the first column underneath the navigation bar.

5. 2 or 3 Column Layout

   You will have the choice of a 2 or three column layout. The information you put in these columns is completely up to you. Some departments may want an introduction to their site in the 2nd column, some may want news displayed. Similarly, some departments may want news, events, and another feature displayed in the 3rd column. Others may not want a 3rd column at all.

Also as explained in the basic layout, OIS can work with you to create a professional banner graphic (also referred to as a "hero graphic") for your homepage. This will only appear on your homepage, unless you specify otherwise. Such graphics can be absent on secondary pages, allowing more space for your content. Below is an example of how such a page might look.