Resources

Communicators' Toolkit

Designing materials on your own

Marketing Release Form

Order Business Cards

Email Signature Generator

Download Templates

FAQs

ECU Communicators' Toolkit

The university's Communicators' Toolkit includes assets such as stock photos, logos, photos, fonts, templates. Access is limited to faculty and staff.

To use these resources effectively and be a positive steward of the Emily Carr brand, we recommend that you first review our Brand Guidelines and read about our Visual Identity.

Access ECU's Communicators' Toolkit

Need something specific for your communications or design work?

We have a large searchable library of images and videos, and additional video assets for designers. To request access to the library, please contact Communications + Marketing.

Designing materials on your own

First, download and consult our Brand Guidelines to ensure the proper use of our visual identity in your design.

    Take accessibility into consideration. There are helpful tools online to do this:

    • Test your design for colour and type size. We recommend Who Can Use.
    • Test that your writing is plain and clear. We recommend Hemingway App.

    Final Design Checklist

    Use this checklist to ensure you aren’t missing anything important in your design:

    Tips for selecting images for your project

    Keyword Characteristics of Photos

    • Authentic
    • Honest
    • Clear
    • Candid
    • Natural
    • Diverse
    • Strong focal point
    • Uncluttered
    • Avoid stock photography.
    • Use colour or black and white photos as appropriate.
    • Do not retouch student work; keep it true to life.
    • Have a clear focal point with quiet surroundings and minimal backgrounds.
    • Obtain signed permission and photo releases for all artwork and people. Find the release form for download here.
    • Keep it real, authentic and candid. Avoid staged or stylized shots.
    • Make the subject the obvious focal point.
    • Reflect the ethnic and cultural diversity of our students, faculty and staff.
    • Obtain signed photo releases.
    • Use cropping to maintain a strong focal point.
    • Keep lighting natural-looking.
    • Minimize clutter, unless it is integral to the subject matter or part of a featured artwork.
    • Allow for areas of clear space (low contrast, flat colours) where type can live.

    Working with contractors

    If your project requires a graphic designer, printer, or another partner, use the freelance contract when confirming their services.

    Email the Communications + Marketing office to request a list of recommended printers and designers.

    Once you've found a partner, consult them as early as possible about the project. Schedule regular check-ins to ensure expectations are managed and products are delivered on time.

    Use these guidelines when selecting photos for print or web applications, or for giving direction to a photographer.

    Marketing Consent Release Form

    Our marketing release form (formerly known as the "Artwork and model release form") is required for any photo/video of a person(s) and/or their artwork that may be used in Emily Carr publications or promotional material in any marketing channel (website, newsletters, viewbooks, social media, etc.)

    complete the release form

    FIPPA (s.26) states that if an event is private, permission should be obtained or attendees notified that the event will be photographed or otherwise recorded. The definition of a private event is that the invitation to attend was sent to a specific group.

    Consent is not required for a public event where attendees are there voluntarily, provided that the images of the event are only published in event-related publications.

    We encourage our community to avoid recording individuals who are recognizable and publishing personal information without consent. Beyond compliance, everyone is entitled to a reasonable expectation of privacy in our public spaces.

    Questions can be directed to privacy@ecuad.ca.

    Such images/videos are considered personal information and that individual’s permission to collect such information must be in compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 165.

    If you or an otherwise arranged photographer/videographer are taking photos/video, it is your responsibility to obtain consent from your subjects. If a subject asks to not use their image, that request must be respected.

    In addition, images can not be used for purposes other than those specified on the release form. Signed forms should be safely and confidentially stored so they can be accessed when required. If images are transferred to the communications department, the forms must accompany the images.

    Release forms are legal documents—do not alter or customize the forms without explicit consent of the Executive Director, Communications + Public Affairs.

    Order Business Cards

    If you have previously ordered business cards and have an account, visit the business card generator and order more.

    If you haven't ordered business cards before or do not have an account, follow the instructions below.

    If you don't already have an account, select the “Create an Account” button on the lower half of the screen. Fill in the “New to our Store Section” by using your Emily Carr email and creating a password and then click the sign-up button. You will then get a confirmation email through your Emily Carr account to activate your account.

    Once you have an account or if you already had an account, you can sign in on the welcome page. Then, click the “Emily Carr Business Cards” blue hyperlink at the bottom.

    Fill in your information and click the “Update Preview” button. Please note that non-Emily Carr issued phone numbers or emails may not be printed on the cards.

    If everything looks correct, click “Next”. Select your quantity, check the “Proof is Approved” box, then click “Add to Cart”. Select “Checkout”, click “Next” then “Submit Order”.

    Please expect some delay in delivery from the time of order.

    If you have any questions please click here.

    Email Signature Generator

    Use our online signature generator to help create and install your personal email signature.

    Templates

    Use a template to save time and ensure that your message looks sharp and is on-brand.

    Our Communicators' Toolkit includes presentation templates, letterhead and more. The toolkit is accessible to faculty and staff.

    FAQs

    Find answers to our most frequently asked questions below.

    Open Acrobat

    Click on the “Tools” tab and select “Prepare Form.”

    Select a file or scan a document:

    • Acrobat will automatically analyze your document and add form fields.
    • Add new form fields:
    • Use the top toolbar and adjust the layout using tools in the right pane.
    • Save your fillable PDF:
    • You can also share it with others or click Distribute to collect responses automatically.

    Learn more about converting existing forms to fillable PDFs.

    To add your headshot to the Contact section on your area page, please submit a file to srajani@ecuad.ca that meets these requirements:

    • JPG format
    • Recent, full-colour photo
    • Centred on a minimally detailed or plain background
    • Head and shoulders only
    • Images should be no wider than 360px, square format preferred

    Recommended Printers and Designers

    The Communications + Marketing team has been working with several local printers and designers and can verify the quality of work that they do. To request a list, please email communications@ecuad.ca.

    In addition, the in-house printing at the Digital Output Centre produces exceptional work on low-quantity items.