The Graphic Signature & Form Title

The graphic signature* plays a key role in forms conversations. It introduces the form title and thus identifies the topic of the conversation.

The information just below the Laser Line tells the audience who is requesting information.

The examples below show the top portion of typical forms with the graphic signature used to display a variety of oneand two-line form titles.

To standardize the placement of text while providing a method for emphasizing selected information, the design of all forms is based on a single layout. As shown in the examples below, this basic layout divides the form into three sections, one each for

•the graphic signature

•priority information

•general information

Graphic Signature Area

Separate the graphic signature area (shown in a red tint in the examples below) from the general information area with a 2-point horizontal rule running from the left to the right margin. Place the rule 8 1⁄2 picas (for a one-line title) or 10 picas (for a two-line title) from the top edge of the form.

Note: For detailed guidelines on setting up the graphic signature, see pages 08 and 09.

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Priority Information Area

Use the priority information area (indicated in light blue) for only

•information that needs to be found quickly (for example, a serial number)

•critical instructions (for example, “Internal use only”)

This information may be structured using

1⁄2 -point rules, 12 picas long and 2 picas apart.

General Information Area

A 1- pica horizontal grid helps to structure the information in this area. One pica of vertical space can accommodate a line of information generated by hand, typewriter, and most computers. Horizontal rules, bars, or screens must fall on the lines of this grid. For detailed specifications, see pages 10 and 11.

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1 1⁄2

4 1⁄2

8 1⁄2

8pt

General information area

2

Units of 1 pica

Example 1

gPurchase Order

General Electric Company

123 Name Rd., City, ST 00000

Example 2

g Requisition

Office Supply Products

General Electric Company

Example 3

gPurchase Order

GE Lighting

General Electric Company

123 Name Rd., City, ST 00000

Example 4a

gGE Lighting Purchase Order

General Electric Company

123 Name Rd., City, ST 00000

Example 4b

gGE Lighting

Purchase Order

General Electric Company

123 Name Rd., City, ST 00000

Examples are shown at a reduced size.

Form Title

To prominently identify the form and distinguish it from others, feature the form title in the graphic signature (Example 1):

•Typeset the title in 20-point Univers 68, using initial capital and lowercase letters

•Place the title 3 picas to the right of the Monogram and align the title with the letters in the Monogram.

Short titles are preferred, and the maximum title length is 26 picas.

For long form titles, Univers 48 may be used in the second part to help make the title easy to read (Example 2).

Either one or two lines may be used. If two lines are used,

•set the title solid (20/20 points)

•align the first line of the title with the letters in the Monogram.

Legal Name

Since the legal name of the company is required on all forms, use it in the address block, typeset in 8/8 - point Univers 48, placed just beneath the Laser Line (Example 1). If no address is needed, the legal name appears by itself (Example 2).

Communicative Name

When the communicative name of the component or affiliate is required, place it

•(Preferred) above the legal name in the address block, typeset in 8/8 - point Univers 48 (Example 3). This method of displaying the communicative name is preferred because it emphasizes the form title.

•(Alternative) in the graphic signature, typeset in 20/20 - point Univers 68, preceding the form title, which is typeset in 20/20 - point Univers 48; use one or two lines as required (Examples 4a and 4b). This method is used when the communicative name must be prominently displayed with the form title. Note: When a communicative name is used in the graphic signature, the form title must be typeset in Univers 48; Univers 68 may be used for only the communicative name.

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Example 5

gBeneficiary Designations

GE Employee Benefits Plans

General Electric Company

123 Name Rd., City, ST 00000

Example 6

gGE Employee Benefits Plans

Beneficiary Designations

General Electric Company

123 Name Rd., City, ST 00000

Program & Plan Names

The name of a program or plan is treated like a communicative name. Place it

•(Preferred) above the legal name in the address block, typeset in 8/8 - point Univers 48 (Example 5). This method of displaying the program or plan name is preferred because it emphasizes the form title.

•(Alternative) in the graphic signature, typeset in 20/20 - point Univers 68, preceding the form title, which is typeset in 20/20 - point Univers 48; use one or two lines as required (Example 6). This method is used when the program or plan name must be prominently displayed with the form title. Note: When a program or plan name is used in the graphic signature, the form title must be typeset in Univers 48; Univers 68 may be used for only the program or plan name.

Signature Monogram

Typeset the signature Monogram in 40 -point GE Logo Font (approximately 2 1⁄2 picas in diameter) and place it at the left and top margins, a minimum of 2 picas from the left and l 1⁄2 picas from the top trim edges of the form.

Laser Line

Use a 1⁄2 - point rule that extends from the left edge of the Monogram to the end of the signature typography or the length of the longest line in the address block, whichever is longer.

To differentiate and emphasize items in the general information area, use the following specifications for typography and graphic devices.

These specifications are shown in the examples on the following pages.

Typography and text placement

Use only Univers Condensed in forms.

•For general information, use 8/8 - point Univers 47.

•For emphasis, use 8/8 - point Univers 67.

Place the baseline of type 8 points below a horizontal rule and 3 points to the right of a vertical rule.

Set blocks of copy flush left, ragged right.

For full sentences, use standard capitalization. For incomplete sentences and labels, use an initial capital letter in the first word only.

Reversed type: Use 8/8 - point Univers 67. Place the baseline 8 points below the top edge of the bar and 3 points to the right of its left edge.

Form number: Use 6 - point Univers 47. Place the baseline 1 pica above the bottom trim edge of the form, aligned at the left margin of the form.

Distribution instructions: Use 8 - point Univers 68 to identify distribution copies. Place the baseline 1 pica from the bottom trim edge of the form.

Rule weights

•To structure information, use 1⁄2 - point horizontal and vertical rules.

•For emphasis, use 2 - point horizontal and vertical rules.

Vertical spacing

Horizontal rules must fall on the lines of the l - pica grid (see pages 06 and 07). One pica of vertical space can accommodate a line of information generated by hand, typewriter, or

computer. Note: Because a prompt is usually used to request information (for example, “Address” or “Priced by”), 2 picas of space is required to accommodate a single-line response. Each additional pica of space gives the respondent an extra line.

Horizontal bars

Use horizontal bars for additional emphasis or to structure information. A horizontal bar extending the width of a form can be used to separate the graphic signature area from the general information area (see the example on page 05). To fit the horizontal grid, bar widths must be multiples of 1 pica. Reverse type from bars.

Vertical rules

Use vertical rules to divide information or columns. Do not use vertical rules along the right or left margins. Connect the bottom of each vertical rule to a horizontal rule. Do not connect the top of a vertical rule to a horizontal rule. Instead, align the top of each vertical rule with the top of the adjacent capital letter. Dashed l⁄2 - point vertical rules can provide additional differentiation; for example,

a separate cents column can be created within a larger price column (see the example on page 16).

Open circles

Use open circles instead of boxes for checklists. Circles should have a l⁄2 - point rule weight with

a 9 - point diameter. Place the circle 3 points from the following copy and center it opposite the height of the initial capital letter.

Screens

A 10 percent black screen can be used to differentiate a particular area within a form (see the examples on pages 11 and 13).

Colors

•For the primary color on all forms, use black.

•To highlight important information or instructions, use Laser Red.

If Laser Red is used, the Laser Line in the graphic signature should also be reproduced in Laser Red.

Notes:

•The Laser Line is the only element of the graphic signature that may be reproduced in red. Do not use red in the signature Monogram or form title.

•To maintain the distinction of the Laser Line, do not use Laser Red in other fine lines.

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