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Before you get started in Adobe Express, please familiarize yourself with the guidelines outlined on the Grand Valley Identity site; the GVSU Brand Toolkit in Adobe Express is designed to work in tandem with the information provided there. 

• Adobe Express is web based on a desktop computer. Begin by going to http://new.express.adobe.com/. Adobe Express also works on mobile devices via an app. Please note that directions will be tailored to users who are using a desktop computer at this time.

• If you are not logged into Adobe, you will get a prompt to do so. Type in your gvsu.edu email address and click "Continue." Make sure you select "Company or School Account" at the prompt on the next screen. Once you are logged into your Adobe Account, this should take you to your starting screen, which looks like this:

It’s easy to get started! Here are some things you can do:

Upload an existing presentation (PowerPoint, etc.) or PDF to start from.

To the right of "More ways to start", click the "View All" link to see more options. In the new window you have the option to set a custom size, or pick from a wide variety of blank templates at set sizes.

Coming soon!

• The GVSU Brand Toolkit should automatically appear in the "Brands" section of Adobe Express. To access the toolkit at any time in Adobe Express, click the "Brands" tab at the left of the screen. Alternatively, you can use this link to open the toolkit.  

• You may share the above link with anyone with a GVSU login. Non GVSU users will need to request permission to use and will be granted access on an individual basis. Contact Carrie Thrall in University Marketing to request permission for non-GVSU users.
• The toolkit contains logos, fonts, colors, assets, and templates (Note: we are adding these as we finalize, some things may not appear right away).
• You can create something custom or use the brand toolkit templates. You can also use an Adobe Express template and use the ‘apply brand’ tool to customize it (this usually requires quite a bit of adjusting).

• A note about fonts: Adobe Express allows us to specify ‘header’ and ‘body copy’ options so we have provided a few options to get you started. However, you may use any versions of ‘Open Sans’ or ‘EB Garamond'; more are available in Adobe Express than what is listed in our ‘Fonts’ section.

Adobe has tutorials on their site, Adobe Tutorials.

University Marketing is working to get Adobe Express populated with assets and templates. Keep checking back, as we are going to be adding features. In the meantime, we appreciate any feedback you may have. In particular:

• Do these instructions work for you? Did we miss anything?

• What assets or templates would you like to see added?

• Any pain points or hang ups we should be made aware of? 

Please email Carrie Thrall ([email protected]) with any feedback or questions regarding Adobe Express. 

Thanks for your help getting this product ready for the university. We appreciate you!

University Marketing