Illustration
Illustration is an eye-catching medium that tells a story in a way that photography, technical diagrams, and icons cannot. Illustrations work well across applications, like presentations, web pages, animations, and motion graphics. We use illustrations to tell conceptual, open stories and describe nuanced ideas in an authentic way.
Active, not passive.
Red Hat’s illustration style implies movement and activity. Illustrated people are realistic and dynamic, not oversimplified or static.
Intentional, not superficial
Our style is refined and thoughtfully designed to complement the complex nature of our products. They’re approachable, but not cartoonish or childlike.
Informative, not decorative.
Red Hat® illustrations are more than eye-catching. They should complement and enhance the message they’re paired with and tell a story about our technology or our customer’s business.
Open, not closed.
With diverse people and diverse thoughts, the best ideas come from everywhere. We include a broad range of people and environments that go beyond the traditional enterprise technology cliches.
Types of Illustration
We use two main types of illustrations at Red Hat: mini-spot illustrations and spot illustrations. Which illustration you should use depends on your message and the amount of space you have.
Mini-spot illustrations
Mini-spot illustrations are used in one color and convey a single, simple idea. They’re often based on our icons but have additional details, which makes them perfect for spaces that are too large for an icon but too small for a full spot illustration.
Spot illustrations
Spot illustrations are large illustrations driven by a story. They use elements in a stylized—rather than realistic—color palette to create an imagined world where technology concepts and solutions come to life.
Mini-spot illustrations in use
Mini-spot illustrations are characterized by appearing in one, solid color and by the dot pattern used to create detail and shadow.
Mini-spots are perfect for spaces that are too large for a single icon, like when you need to fill space on a slide.
When printing cost limits the number of colors you can print, a mini-spot is the perfect visual for your merchandise. Just be sure not to make it larger than about 6 inches wide/tall.
Use mini-spot illustrations as provided, in one of our core colors.
Do not distort, combine, add colors to, or modify existing mini-spot illustrations.
Be consistent when choosing illustrations for the same asset. Use the same style for all illustrations.
Don’t use a mix of different illustration styles on the same asset.
Use mini-spot illustrations at a size where all of the details are legible.
Do not use a mini-spot at a size where the details are illegible, like in a pattern. Use an icon pattern instead.
Use mini-spots independently without additions or modifications.
Do not combine a mini-spot with another illustration or icon. Use a different illustration instead.
Spot illustrations in use
This style of illustration is defined by deep shadows and a stylistic—rather than realistic—color palette. Spot illustrations do not use the dot pattern found in mini-spots; they make use of solid colors and negative space to add texture and depth instead.
Core color illustrations
Illustrations that are created from our core color palette are ideal for most brand illustrations. We use colors with strong contrast to create depth and dimension.
Extended color illustrations
Illustrations that are created using our extended color wheel are ideal for bold illustrations that draw attention. They always use red as an accent, which ensures that illustrations still look like Red Hat.
Use spot illustrations as they are provided.
Do not distort, combine, add colors to, or modify existing spot illustrations.
Use one spot illustration on an asset paired with text or other information.
Do not use more than one spot illustration on the same asset. Use mini-spots instead.
Use spot illustrations large so that the details are legible and they fill the available space appropriately.
Do not use spot illustrations at a size that’s too small to see the details.
Use spot illustrations independently without additions or modifications.
Do not combine a spot illustration with another illustration or icon. Use a different illustration instead.
Representation in illustrations
Considering diversity, equity, and inclusion is a significant part of our process for creating illustrations. We make sure our illustrations are reviewed by others—designers, peers, and Red Hat Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion communities. To be intentional and thoughtful, we allow time to research, listen, and adjust. With our illustrations, we aim to uplift those who have been marginalized for their appearance, ability, or identity.
Our illustrations depict a diverse community by reflecting the world as it truly exists. We use photos of real people as a source for our illustrations—not our own ideas of people–to prevent unintentional biases and stereotypes.
