Graphic elements
Textures and graphic elements can help you create more dynamic designs. Below you’ll find the graphic elements specific to KU’s brand platform, Towering Toward the Blue, along with best practices for incorporating them into your layouts.
Bringing it all together
Photography, design, and messaging should work in unison and support one another. The following graphic elements are meant to be used together to add visual interest and consistency to your layout, but you can be judicious with what you include. Let your medium and message drive the design.
Once you’ve sufficiently built your visual narrative, seek clarity in your layout by removing distracting items. When in doubt, simplify.
Visible grid
Our use of a visible grid speaks to KU’s efforts to measure, record, diagram, and simplify the world around us so we can better understand its complexities. We can then use our research as building blocks to create new ideas and solutions.
Start any feature layout by creating a grid for the page aspect you’re working with. In Adobe Illustrator, define the artboard with your page dimensions, then use the Rectangular Grid line tool to create a grid. Use the cursor keys to refine the size of the units. Aim to maintain 1:1 square dimension for the individual units. Like any layout grid, this visible grid helps you find your intentions in the layout, guides your decisions, and allows you to work fast.
Visible grid example
Visible grid element
Visible grid example
Stars
A real photo of the Andromeda Galaxy, sourced from NASA, is available to use as an overlay, as well as illustrated star shapes that you can use as graphic elements. We use this texture in the layout as a reminder of the wonders in the sky and beyond our planet. It also touches on Kansas’ fantastic state motto, “Ad Astra Per Aspera” (To the Stars Through Difficulty). Keep in a round enclosure. If more contrast is needed, slightly adjust the images’ contrast, curves, and levels.
Graphic stars example
Star elements
Star photo overlay example
Crimson square with a radial fade
An organic shape with a tasteful hit of crimson in the gridded layout. Use the grid to notch the element into the squares’ corners.
Crimson square with a radial fade example
Crimson square with a radial fade element
Crimson square with a radial fade example
Holding box
Useful to draw the eye and visually diagram the surrounding space. Keep the line thin, usually 1 pt., and use the color Fire where possible.
Pinpoints on the holding box
Another diagramming reference for the layout. Keep the pinpoint in the color Lake where possible.
Holding box example
Holding box element
Holding box example
Discovery burst
A reference to analyzing and visualizing our research data. Use the grid to notch the element into the squares’ corners.
Discovery burst example
Discovery burst element
Discovery burst example
Data moon phases
An abstract reference to our research data that draws our attention skyward.
Data moon phases example
Data moon phases element
Data moon phases example
Spark stars
A reference to technology and 8-bit visuals, but also to the sparks of imagination, insight, and inspiration.
Spark stars example
Spark stars element
Spark stars example
Faux seal
A round typographic reference to the Alma Mater and the University of Kansas seal. This graphic uses Cartograph CF as the typeface, a monospace serif that can be used in smaller applications and infographics.
Faux seal example
Faux seal element
Faux seal example
Sunflower
The state flower of Kansas and a symbol of optimism and resilience. Kansas is known as the sunflower state, and sunflowers can be found in all 105 counties. This sunflower design is inspired by Kansas’ state banner that was in use from 1925 to 1927 before the adoption of the current state flag.
Sunflower example
Sunflower element
Sunflower example