#  Foundations of the Design System 

 



### Foundations of the Design System 

 

Learn about the foundational principles and guidelines that inform design of the HarvardSites Design System and guide its evolution.



 



      ![Foundations icons arranged in a grid.](/sites/g/files/omnuum631/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2024-11/DS%20Website%20icons%20_50-50%20Image%20Foundations_0.png?itok=AaAa8tfJ) 

 

 

  

 



 

 

 

 

 

  [### Guiding Principles

 ](/guiding-principles)Guiding principles related to the design system purpose and objectives, digital design best practices, universal principles of design, and professional ethics.



 

 

   ![Icon showing shapes of a bookmark and a star.](/sites/g/files/omnuum631/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-11/DS%20Website%20icons%20_Principles_8.png?itok=a6XqmXY_) 

 



 

 

   [### Accessibility

 ](/accessibility)Accessibility standards and guidelines related to providing sufficient color contrast, identifying and labeling links and controls, restricting motion from animation and video, and more.



 

 

   ![Icon showing the silhouette of a person standing with outstretched arms.](/sites/g/files/omnuum631/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-01/DS%20Website%20icons%20_Accessibility.png?itok=mwBDPyLC) 

 



 

 

   [### Brand and Identity

 ](/brand-and-identity)Brand and identity standards and guidelines for presenting a consistent Harvard identity across University schools and departments.



 

 

   ![Icon showing a checkmark surrounded by a circle with scalloped edges. ](/sites/g/files/omnuum631/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-01/DS%20Website%20icons%20_Branding.png?itok=dXfmZDtF) 

 



 

 

   [### Graphic Design

 ](/graphic-design)Graphic design standards and guidelines to produce a typographic style that is legible and readable and harmonizes with Harvard’s visual identity.



 

 

   ![Icon showing an uppercase T enclosed in a square frame with handles at each corner.](/sites/g/files/omnuum631/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-01/DS%20Website%20icons%20_Graphic%20Design.png?itok=WZmsHydW) 

 



 

 

   [### University Policy

 ](/university-policy)University policy standards and guidelines to support compliance with Harvard’s accessibility and trademark requirements.



 

 

   ![Icon showing a shield.](/sites/g/files/omnuum631/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-01/DS%20Website%20icons%20_University%20Policy.png?itok=2RYjt7c_)