Design consistency is one of the main pillars of brand recognition. Whether crafting a PowerPoint presentation, a document in Word, or a multi-page publication in InDesign, a common design language allows your audience to focus on your message and recognize OIT as the organization that created it. The elements in this section are carefully crafted tools to allow for creativity while maintaining a cohesive design aesthetic.
Consistency in design…
- Builds trust
- Enhances brand recognition
- Is efficient
- Is unintrusive to your content
- Accessible
Consistency in design does not…
- Limit creativity
- Complicate the design process
Hierarchy in Typography
Appropriate hierarchy in typography allows the user to quickly identify which information is most important and which supports the main points. A clear typographical structure is also key to making your document easier to read with assistive technology.
Hierarchy is based on values used for body text, 12pt.
H1 = 48pt (12pt x 4 = 48pt)
H2 = 36pt (12pt x 3 = 36pt)
H3 = 24pt (12pt x 2 = 24pt)
H4 = 18pt (12pt x 1.5 = 18pt)
Body = 12pt
Captions = 12pt x 0.875
Color Proportion
Color should be used to support the main purpose of your design or layout. Visual cohesion is best achieved when the color impression and balance are proportionally consistent. To achieve this, ensure core brand colors make up a minimum of 75 percent of your overall color impression.
Avoid using all accent colors with the core brand colors simultaneously. Exceptions can be made when creating charts or graphs that need additional accents.
The colors to the right are intended for use with digital products. Please ensure that a proper color profile is used when working on publications intended for print.
Primary Brand Colors
White
#fffff
Deep Blue
#0E1D33
Navy Blue
#112F4E
Blue
#0076d6
Cyan
#00bde3
Accent Colors
#E41D3D
#919191
#FACE00
#E66F0E
#7FB135
Balance
Balance refers to the even distribution of graphics, text, and white or empty space in a document, presentation, or layout.
A balanced product adds stability and helps users navigate your content more effectively.
Grid Structure
A grid is a system that governs how all elements (copy, images, etc.) should be positioned in a document. A grid ensures consistency across products and provides rhythm and balance.
A customized grid structure is included as part of OIT’s PowerPoint template. OIT’s Word templates do not use a grid.
Grid Structure in PowerPoint
A grid structure has been built-in into the OIT PowerPoint template. To turn it on, go to “View” in the navigation pane and click on “Guides.”
Grid Structure in InDesign
To maintain consistency across all materials, a 12-column modular grid is used in all products produced using Adobe InDesign.
Margins and gutter widths are calculated as follows:
- Page Margin = Page width in portrait orientation x 0.075
- Column Gutter = Margin x .28
Grid Common Sizes
The examples show the modular grids for common page sizes — 8.5 x 11 – Letter Size, 8.5 x 5.5 half page, and 11 x 17 – Tabloid Size.
. When using smaller page sizes, it is acceptable to adjust the grid to a six-column structure.
Best Practice Examples
Incorrect Usage
