The lower third identification graphic, better known as just the lower third, is an area of the screen that is commonly used to display contextual information, such as a person’s name, a location, or some other pertinent information.
The lower third identification graphic, better known as just the lower third, is an area of the screen that is commonly used to display contextual information, such as a person’s name, a location, or some other pertinent information.
Download the Lower Third ID Template, edit your text, and add the file to your video editing timeline. If you maintain the pre-set positioning, font, and text size, you’ll stay on brand.
Title Bar Structure
ID Headings
ID Headings should clearly identify the name, place, or event represented in the video.
- Use full first and last name.
- Use a full name with a middle name or initial upon request of the interviewee.
Refer to the Writing Style Guide for guidelines on academic titles.
ID Subheadings
ID Subheadings are used to provide additional information about the person, place, or event represented in the video including title, department, college, company, or graduation year.
Keep the subheading as simple as possible. Never use more than one line for a subheading in this lower third. Avoid lengthy subheadings.
Internal UNO Administrators, Faculty, and Staff
- Administrators, Faculty, and Staff subheadings display Full Title, Department/College
- If the “Full Title, Department / College” format is too lengthy or unreadable, use “University of Nebraska at Omaha” for the “Department/College” portion of the subheading.
Students & Alumni
- Students subheadings display “University of Nebraska at Omaha” with abbreviated college.
- Student worker subheadings display
- Student athletes use the format “Omaha Men’s/Women’s Sport” with abbreviated college. Do notuse the player position or the word “Team.”
- Alumni subheadings display the job title in “job title, company” format, followed by the abbreviated college and graduation year.
Community Members Outside of UNO
- Community Member subheadings display “Full Title, Department / College / Company”
- When the full title is not pertinent to the narrative, use formats indicating the community member's relationship to UNO or simply their location.
Single Line ID
Use a single line ID for establishing a place, a montage, a series of images, or a multi-step process. This may include establishing shots that need to be identified (i.e. “Omaha, NE”), a description of a shot, a series of shots, or a montage (i.e. “Milo Bail Student Center”), a description of a sequence (e.g.. “Step 1” / “Step 2” / “Step 3”), and very rarely, a name ID with no subheading
- Keep the descriptions simple. Avoid using the entire line.
- Name specific places. Do not abbreviate. (Milo Bail Student Center)
- With U.S. cities, use state abbreviations. (New York, NY)
- With international cities, use the full title. (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Title Bar Structure
All lower thirds must prominently display the “O” Campus Icon with a divider line for identification information.
Keep text within the safe area. The safe area is a term used in television production to describe the areas of the television picture that can be seen on television screens.
Never let text go beyond the right margin. Each lower third should run for at least 6 seconds.
Title Bar (For 1280x720 Image)
- Height: 120 pixels in height
- Background: black, 80% opacity
- Title Bar is aligned vertically to the bottom margin, 36 pixels from the bottom
Text
All caps are recommended to mimic the layout of the university typesettings, however, it is not required.
- Type size of headings should appear larger than subheadings
- Use adequate spacing between the heading and subheading for readability
- Heading text should top align with divider line; subheading text should bottom align with a divider line
- All text should left align, 64 pixels in from the left margin
- All text should center align vertically within Title Bar
Students & Alumni (No Job Title)
Subheading display “University of Nebraska at Omaha” with abbreviated college. Always use the abbreviated UNO affiliation for students.
For multiple college affiliations, use this format: “University of Nebraska at Omaha (CBA Student)”
Alumni (With Non-UNO Job title)
Subheading display the job title in “job title, company” format, followed by the abbreviated college and graduation year.
Faculty & Staff
Subheading displays the job title in “position, department” format.
Use the official job title: professor, assistant professor, associate professor, etc.
If the professor belongs to two colleges, use this format: “Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska at Omaha (CAS, CBA)”
Administration
Administration from individual schools and colleges need to be affiliated specifically. Use the “Full Title, Department / College / Company” format.
However, if the “Full Title, Department / College / Company” format is too lengthy or unreadable in 2–3 seconds, use “University of Nebraska at Omaha” for the “Department / College / Company” portion of the subheading.
Student (Alternate Position Title/Athlete)
Use this format if the student’s job title is pertinent to the narrative.
For example, if a student is directing a play, use the “Full Title, Department / College / Company” format, followed by the abbreviated UNO affiliation.
For athletic teams, use the format “Omaha Men’s/Women’s Sport.”
Do not use the player position, or the word “Team.”
Community Members Outside of UNO
Assuming the videos in question will inevitably have a strong narrative connection to the UNO and Omaha community, these lower third styles shall following formats. “Full Title, Department / College / Company.”
When the full title is not pertinent to the narrative, use formats indicating the community member's relationship to UNO or simply their location.
Single Line ID
- Never use more than one line for this lower third.
- Keep the descriptions simple. Avoid using the entire line.
- Name specific places. Do not abbreviate. (i.e. Milo Bail Student Center)
- With U.S. cities, use state abbreviations. (i.e. New York, NY)
- With international cities, use the full title. (i.e. Buenos Aires, Argentina)
