Illinois State's Design System

Guiding Principles

Guiding principles are the answer to what we value. They call us to action and remind us to stay focused on what's important.

Incorporate them into every digital interaction you create.

• Considerate

  Focus on people. Being considerate shows we care and respect people's time and attention.

  Remember you're a human communicating with other humans. Provide a friendly, human experience. Understand why people come to your platform and put their needs first. What you present to people should have a purpose and help them accomplish their goals.

• Informative

  Make educated decisions. Being informed ensures we all look and sound like Illinois State University.

  Our guidelines are rooted in research, strategy, and proven best practices. They offer consistency and structure, and simplify the decision making process.

• Flexible

  Adapt to change. Being flexible helps us innovate and achieve success.

  Best practices evolve constantly. We prepare for new developments by building platforms and experiences that can adapt. Keep an open mind to learning and stay agile.

Getting Started

Start forming connections with these basic guidelines in mind.

• Accessibility

  Ensure your digital products are accessible to everyone.

• Voice and Tone

  Sound like a human on your digital platforms.

• Content Organization

  Display your content so it's easy to find and read.