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Graphic Elements

Design elements add visual interest to your communications. When used consistently, these elements create continuity in our family of materials.

Take care not to overuse these elements; while they can and should be used to add energy to designs, they should not compete with the primary content.

Chevrons

Graphic elements example, five chevrons pointing right are arranged next to each other in a row, the first three in maroon, the fourth is a large chevron with a small gold chevron next to it, the last is a double red chevron, on a white background.

  • Do not use more than 3 chevrons in a single grouping.
  • Do not change the direction of the chevrons.
  • Double chevrons may be used as bullet points.
  • May be used in primary or secondary colors.

Dot and hash circles

Graphic elements example, four maroon circles arranged next to each other in a row, the two are filled with dotted patterns and the last two filled with diagonal stripe patterns, all on a white background.

  • When using the circle elements to cover a large area, use the finer dot or hash pattern.
  • May be used in primary or secondary colors.

Hash pattern

Graphic elements example, two red hash patterns sit one on top of the other, filled with diagonal stripe patterns, all on a white background.

  • Short hash pattern may be used to divide sections on a page.
  • Offset other elements or fill in empty spaces on the page.
  • Do not rotate or change the direction of the hash pattern.
  • May be used in primary or secondary colors.

Examples

Three chevrons stack vertically, pointing right. The words “We Do Results” in bold gold type, “It’s all about your future” in red below on a maroon background. A diagonal crop image covers half of the right side.
Three chevrons stack vertically, pointing right at the top of the page and the CMU Action C Combination mark sits top right, all on a maroon background. A large diagonal crop image of the CMU Seal fills the bottom half.
Three chevrons stack vertically, pointing right at the words “Meet with your CMU representative” in bold gold text. A large horizontally cropped image fills the bottom of the design.
Example elements image, bold gold large text “Apply for Free” is left aligned with “all October” in white underneath, a large dot blue dotted circle sits in the upper right corner, all on a maroon background.

Download graphic elements

Adobe Creative Cloud library

Explore CMU's Adobe Creative Cloud Library for access to brand colors, fonts and graphic elements.

Access CMU's Adobe Creative Library

Add the "CMU Brand Assets Library" to your Adobe Express Library

  1. Log into your CMICH Adobe Account with your Global ID and password.
  2. Use the library link provided and add the CMU Brand Assets to your library by clicking on "Add to Libraries." 
  3. Open your Adobe Express Libraries folder.
  4. You should see the CMU Brand Assets Library in your libraries, complete with branded assets and templates.

For access to CMU Adobe Templates or for Adobe Library questions, contact Mel Purdy at mel.purdy@cmich.edu.