Accessing the AHS Brand Kit in Adobe Express

This entry includes visual and audio instructions on how to access the Adobe Express brand kit for the College of Applied Health Sciences. It also shows an example of how to edit the templates included in the brand kit. To request access to the Applied Health Sciences brand kit or for branding/brand kit questions, email the Office of Communications and Marketing (MarCom) at marcom@ahs.illinois.edu.

Step 1: Access the Brand Kit

  1. Open Adobe Express.
  2. Log in using your university email address.
  3. Once logged in, you'll arrive at the home page.

red box indicates university log in is required

Step 2: Locate AHS Templates

  1. In the left sidebar, click Your Stuff.
  2. At the top of the page, select Projects.
  3. Open the AHS Templates folder.*
    *Don't see the AHS Templates folder here? Email marcom@ahs.illinois.edu to request access.

red boxes indicate how to navigate to the AHS Templates folder

Step 3: Choose a Template

  1. Browse the available templates and choose one that best fits your needs.
    To illustrate how to use the templates, we will create a Digital Sign as an example. The templates all function in a similar way.
  2. In the Custom Templates section, click View All.
  3. Select the Digital Sign Template.
  4. Click Use Template.

red box highlights the "View All" option

Step 4: Understand the Workspace

When the template opens:

  • Left panel: Brand assets and uploads.
  • Center area: Main editing workspace.
  • Bottom page bar: Template variations.
  • Right panel: Layers for all page elements.

red boxes highlight labels for each section of the work area

Step 5: Edit the Text

  1. Click the text you want to change.
  2. Highlight the existing text.
  3. Type your new content.
  4. Resize or adjust the text box if needed.

red boxes and arrows indicate where text can be edited

Step 6: Add a QR Code

  1. Delete the QR code placeholder text box.
  2. Click Upload and upload your QR code image.**
  3. Resize the QR code using only the corner handles to avoid cropping.

text in red boxes describe how and where to add a QR code

**If you do not already have a QR code and need to create one, you can do that from within Adobe Express: 

  • On the Adobe Express Home page, select the + icon in the left panel. Select Quick actions > Generate QR code.
  • Enter or paste your destination URL, select the File format from the dropdown, then customize your QR code by choosing a color and style.
  • Select Open in editor to customize the design further, or Download to save the QR code to your device.

Step 7: Add Your Main Image

  1. Upload your photo using the Upload panel.
  2. In the Layers panel, drag the photo to the bottom layer.
  3. Reposition the image as needed.
  4. Delete any instructional placeholder boxes.

text in red boxes describe how to add a photo to the template

Step 8: Complete the Remaining Content

  1. Fill in all remaining text fields with your information.
  2. Review the design for accuracy and formatting.

red arrows indicate which text areas can be edited

Step 9: Download Your Finished File

  1. Click Download in the top toolbar.
  2. Confirm the correct page is selected.
  3. Choose the appropriate file format:
    • PDF for print materials (items that will be physically posted on a bulletin board or passed out at an event)
    • PNG for digital signs (items that will only appear digitally like digital signs or email attachments)
  4. Leave the size setting at 1x.
  5. Click Download.

text in red boxes with arrows notate which options to choose when downloading the finished asset

Step 10: Make Future Edits

If you need to update your design later, an editable copy will be saved in the Your Stuff section of Adobe Express.

That's it! Your AHS-branded digital sign is ready to use.

a red box highlights where a user's created assets are saved for future use

Video Example:

Click to play a video of these instructions.

Please direct branding and brand kit questions to the Office of Communications and Marketing (MarCom) at marcom@ahs.illinois.edu.


Keywords:
branding, templates, marketing, flyer, digital sign, Adobe Express, brand kit, design 
Doc ID:
163911
Owned by:
Amy S. in College of Applied Health Sciences
Created:
2026-09-03
Updated:
2026-09-28
Sites:
University of Illinois College of Applied Health Sciences