Dropbox brand
guidelines

Dropbox icons share a visual language with DB Sharp Grotesk, combining characteristic round and square corners. Circular elements echo rounded forms in the typeface. Keep icons simple, intuitive, and scalable; use size, color contrast, and style to balance personality with information.

Use the level of detail that fits the role: UI icons are minimal and express essential characteristics; pictograms provide more contextual detail; spot icons convey a product or feature’s benefit and utility.

Dropbox motion should feel fresh, inspiring, and flexible while supporting the task. Prioritize simplicity, deepen understanding, and give instant feedback. Use movement to clarify complex actions, reduce cognitive load, and make interactions feel immediate and physically grounded. Keep playfulness subtle: aim for a small, satisfying wink rather than an overwhelming spectacle. Scale the expressiveness to the experience while retaining these principles.

Choose imagery for its job. Photography is suited to real-world customer stories and to showing Dropbox’s value in actual situations. Illustration is effective for abstract or complex ideas, product descriptions, onboarding, and softening error messages. Product visuals should demonstrate specific functionality and real consumer interactions. Customer files can enrich a customer story by connecting their experience to Dropbox products.

Favor warm, relatable human moments and meaningful work. Match color intentionally to the image to create harmony and focus. For illustration, use simple, charming scenes and metaphors; for product stories, show the interface or the action clearly.

Dropbox design aims to simplify the frenzy of modern work. Bring humanity, clarity, action, and delight together: make experiences warm and relatable, surface what matters, make the next step intuitive, and add small moments of pleasure. Keep functionality clear for both beginners and experts, and make work feel pleasant rather than dull.