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Textures

This straightforward and simple approach to illustration takes our contribution graph, found on every developer's profile page, and turns it into a playground for creative expression.

Contribution graph

GitHub’s contribution graph is a visual representation of a user’s contribution history on GitHub. It displays a calendar view of the past year, with each day representing a contribution made by the user. The intensity of the color of each day indicates the frequency of contributions on that day. As a key brand element, frequently shows up in abstract and literal ways at events and on social.

Three examples of the contribution graph showing Green, Parrots and symbols, and Negative space variations.

For settings that need light branding, like speaker cards or presentations, it can show up in its simplest form: four squares in a row or column.

Two examples of contribution graph used in light branding contexts like speaker cards and presentations.

The contribution graph is one of our most tricky visuals. Rather than starting from scratch and trying to re-invent the design, utilize the premade visuals, only modifying as absolutely needed.

Dithering

The dithering texture is one of our newest elements. It represents an even deeper level of abstraction of the contribution graph. Like with binary or machine level code, lower level processing becomes 0s and 1s, on states and off states. It can be used at many scales, but wherever is found it should feel like wallpaper.

Three examples of dithering texture used in different brand applications.

Usage

Textures can be used at many scales. They can be loud and totally subdued. But wherever it’s found it should feel like wallpaper — not like key art.

Don't break the grid or use contribution graph squares as scatter symbolsDon’t break the grid, space out, or use contribution graph squares as scatter symbols.
Don't use the contribution graph to add texture to a background or a product visualDon’t use the contribution graph to add texture to a background or a product visual.
Don't ever supersize or scale up elements within the contribution graph designDon’t ever supersize or scale up elements within the contribution graph design; everything should fit within a cell.
Don't use the dither and contribution graph patterns togetherDon’t use the dither and contribution graph patterns together.