Design tools
Introduction
Templates and tools have been created for consistency and convenience. Build email signatures, brochures, newsletters, posters and more with the following tools available to you.
Canva
Canva Enterprise for UIC is available to UIC staff and faculty who are responsible for creating marketing materials. Canva Enterprise provides the licensee with UIC-branded templates and the UIC brand kit to apply to Canva-created templates.
Requests for Canva licenses are evaluated and determined on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed. Canva usage is evaluated twice a year to ensure licenses are being actively and consistently used.
Licenses are not available to students and graduate students. Learn how to invite non-license holders to edit a design below in the “collaborating on a design” section below.
To enquire about a Canva license please contact Strategic Marketing and Communications.
Canva resources
Login Instructions
- Step 1: Go to canva.com.
- Step 2: Click “Log in” in the top right corner.
- Step 3: Choose “continue with your work email.”
- Step 4: Enter your UIC email address.
- Step 5: Select “Log in with SSO.” You will be directed to the UIC SSO (Single Sign On) page. Enter your UIC email address and password, then two-factor authentication (Duo) is prompted for login.
Using brand templates
UIC brand templates can be used for any UIC marketing materials. Choose one that best matches your needs and avoid using print templates for digital or social media posts.
To access brand templates:
- In the main menu, click “Brand.” This will lead you to “Brand Templates” and “Brand Kits.”
- Click templates. These are exclusive to UIC staff and faculty.
Don’t see a template type that you need? Request a new template.
Design best practices
- Choose a template that matches your needs and avoid using print templates for digital or social media posts and vice versa
- Your audience’s attention span is often short, especially on social media. Keep content brief and to the point
- Check the spelling, grammar and style of your document.
- Ensure the information in your template, including phone numbers, email addresses and dates, are accurate.
- You must add alternate text to images posted to UIC websites, email or social media. Learn more about alternative text on UIC’s Digital Accessibility Portal.
Collaborating on a design
You can give anyone edit access to your design; no sign-in is required.
Collaborators WILL be able to:
- View, present and play a design.
- Make edits to the design. They can access the side panel; add, edit or delete design and text elements; and add, edit or delete pages.
- Copy the design link. They can share the design link you sent, but they won’t be able to change the edit permissions or access other share options.
- See comments and live updates by other users.
Collaborators WILL NOT be able to:
- Upload content or files to the design. They can’t drag and drop files or access the Upload tab.
- Add, edit or resolve a comment. They need to sign up or log in to Canva to do this.
- Share the design. Except for sharing the design link you sent them, they can’t access any other share options, like inviting people via email.
- Change design link permissions.
- Make a copy of the design.
- Print the design.
- Publish or download the design.
How to invite a collaborating into your design:
- Open the design you want to share.
- Select “Share” in the editor.
- Select the “Collaboration Link” dropdown, then choose “Anyone with the link.”
- Select the next dropdown, then choose “Can edit” or “Can view.”
- Select “Copy link.”
- Share the design link with anyone who needs edit access, even those without Canva accounts.
Approval process for designs
Some designs may require brand review and approval. Reviews take 2-3 business days. If your design does require approval, follow these steps:
- Create your print project using one of UIC-branded templates.
- Click “Request Approval” in the upper right-hand corner, then the “Select Approver” dropdown.
- Choose from any of the designated approvers; a short note can be added.
- “Awaiting Approval” will appear, and you will be notified when your design has been approved. (Note: Approvers may request changes before the design is fully approved. You will need to resubmit for approval once you have completed these adjustments.)
- Once approved, your design will be available for download and printing.
Canva training events
No upcoming events at this time.
Canva office hours
Canva studio hours
A drop-in, hands-on support session for Canva license holders to get real-time answers to questions about designing within the brand. Bring your projects, challenges or ideas and get guidance on using templates, applying brand elements and solving design issues in the moment. These sessions focus on practical problem-solving—helping you confidently navigate Canva while staying aligned with brand standards across layout, typography, color and composition.
Additional resources available
Additional resources available
Additional Resources Available
Adobe
Adobe software is available to faculty and staff. Adobe Creative Cloud provides access to the entire collection of creative tools. To learn more and to install Adobe applications on your computer visit the Information Technology Adobe page.