Style Guidelines

Graphic Elements

Badges

These illustrative icons serve as a graphic nod to the school identity. They should not replace the Vassar logo.

 

Two maroon Vassar badges on a white field: on the left is a vertical VC with spark lines above and below; on the right a VC intertwined with a double circle around it

Sparks

These circular elements can be added around type to create a more dynamic headline treatment. Vassar_SparkShapes.zip (12 Zipped Illustrator files)

SPIRITED SPARK

Maroon lines radiating our from a center towards the top right and bottom left to create what appears to be sun rays

Should mainly be used at a larger size due to the thin weight and number of strokes

CREATIVE SPARK

Maroon lines radiating our from a center to the top right and bottom left to create what appears to be sun rays

Can be used at a smaller size to surround singular elements (e.g. icons, numbers)

AMBITIOUS SPARK

Maroon lines radiating our from a center to the top and bottom to create what appears to be sun rays

Only use within the spark headline treat- ment and should never surround an icon, logo, or symbol

SAVVY SPARK

Maroon lines radiating our from the center to create what appears to marks on a watch or timer

Can be used to surround type or elements and scaled at any size

Shapes

The angled shapes be employed at a variety of scales with flat - color or gradient fills or as an outline. They can also be used as a border or container for photography or copy. Vassar_AngledShapes.ai (Illustrator file)

Two rows of parallograms in different colors, three in each row. Top row left to right: vertical gradient fill cream down to maroon, solid red, and white with golden border. Bottom row left to right: vertical gradient fill maroon down to cream, white with golden border, and solid red.

Frames

The frame elements can be used as borders or containers for copy or photography. Vassar_AngledGradientFrame.ai (Illustrator file), Vassar_3DBoxFrame.ai (Illustrator file)

Two shapes. On the left, a white parallelogram with a thick maroon to red gradient border. On the right, a flattened white cube with red edges as seen from above.

Textures & Pattern

These textures and patterns serve as foundational grids or backgrounds for compositions. Vassar-Pattern-Texture.zip (4 Zipped Illustrator files and 1 Illustrator Swatch file including instructions)

ANGLED GRADIENT BACKGROUND

A square pattern with red, maroon, and cream gradient stripes at 45 degree angles

QUAD GRID ELEMENT

A square pattern with thin red lines ending on one another and intersecting at right and acute angles

QUAD GRID PATTERN

A square pattern with thin red lines ending on one another and intersecting at right and acute angles

SPARK PATTERN

A square pattern with repeating diagonal red arrowheads pointing offset at one another on a white field