Web Development
There are various options for web development, including in-house options. Please visit the Web Resources website for guidance on establishing a new website.
The Digital team at the Office of Global Marketing and Communications can provide guidance on working with web vendors, particularly when using the Cascade CMS or incorporating departmental web templates or other branded web elements. Procurement recommends contacting them prior to contacting a web development firm.
Working with Web Dev Vendors
Northwestern has completed a competitive bid for Website Development. Seven firms were awarded multi-year contracts and are considered Preferred Vendors.
Departments and schools are responsible for paying for these services when engaging one of the seven preferred vendors. Local and diverse firms are represented on the list. It is encouraged to engage these firms when soliciting a quote on the next web design project you may have.
Northwestern units can work with external vendors for a variety of web development deliverables, including:
- Websites
- Applications
- Interactive features
- Digital publications
- E-newsletters
Licensing and Compliance
You must abide by licensing agreements and copyright laws for digital assets, including text, graphics, photos, videos, designs, trademarks and/or artwork:
- Web fonts (see Northwestern's licensed web fonts)
- Still and digital images
- Music and video files
- Design templates and software programs
- Written textual works
Do not provide these assets for incorporation in your digital project unless permitted by a license, by consent of the copyright owner or by a fair use limitation under copyright law.
When working with an external web development vendor, you are responsible for abiding by Northwestern's brand and accessibly guidelines:
- See the Brand Tools website for allowed use of graphical elements, such as the Northwestern wordmark, seal, colors and more.
- See the Accessibility website for Northwestern's Digital Accessibility Policy.