The NYU style guide serves as the definitive reference for all visual and written communication across the university. It ensures clarity, consistency, and a cohesive identity in every piece produced by or for the campus community.
Below is a structured overview of core sections and reference details to help you quickly locate the most relevant guidance.
| Section | Focus | Key Use Cases | Primary Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typography & Fonts | Type hierarchy and approved typefaces | Print, web, signage | Primary typefaces and weights |
| Color Palette | Primary and secondary brand colors | Digital, print, environmental | HEX, RGB, and Pantone values |
| Logo Usage | Clear space, sizing, placement | Applications and misuse safeguards | Minimum size and background rules |
| Imagery & Tone | Photography style and voice standards | Marketing, web, internal comms | Accessibility and representation guidelines |
Typography and Font Usage
Type hierarchy and legibility
The NYU type system is engineered to support clear information hierarchy across digital and print touchpoints. Headlines, subheads, and body text work together to guide readers through content efficiently.
Consistent use of scale, weight, and contrast ensures readability in everything from mobile screens to large-format posters. The guide specifies recommended type pairings and minimum sizes for accessibility.
Web-safe fallbacks are defined alongside branded fonts to preserve identity and performance, especially for high-traffic pages and campaign microsites.
Approved typefaces and weights
Primary typeface selections include options optimized for headlines and extended reading, with attention to screen rendering and international character sets.
Each typeface is accompanied by defined weights, line-height recommendations, and restrictions on unnecessary styling to maintain a disciplined visual language.
Color System and Brand Expression
Primary and secondary palette
The NYU color system balances institutional tradition with modern usability, providing exact references for digital screens and print reproduction.
Each color is documented with HEX, RGB, and Pantone values, making it straightforward to translate brand elements across media and vendor partners.
Secondary palette options are intended to support accessibility and information layering without diluting the core brand identity.
Usage rules and contrast standards
Contrast requirements are defined to ensure text remains legible against background elements in both light and dark applications.
The guide includes clear do’s and don’ts for color combinations, helping teams avoid situations that could compromise readability or brand integrity.
Logo and Visual Identity Management
Clear space and sizing rules
Logo usage is governed by strict clear-space and minimum-size rules to protect brand recognition at every scale.
Approved background variations and lockups are outlined, specifying when horizontal or stacked versions should be used for optimal clarity.
All logo applications must meet readability targets and be tested at reduced sizes to ensure they remain functional in digital contexts.
Misuse prevention and brand protection
The guide highlights common misuse patterns, such as stretching, incorrect color reversal, and inappropriate overlays that weaken brand perception.
By following these standards, teams help safeguard NYU’s visual identity and ensure a cohesive experience for students, faculty, and external audiences.
Imagery, Tone, and Editorial Standards
Photography style and representation
NYU’s photography direction favors authentic, candid moments that reflect the diversity and energy of the campus community.
Guidelines around composition, lighting, and inclusive representation help ensure imagery feels contemporary, welcoming, and aligned with institutional values.
Voice and editorial principles
The editorial voice balances professionalism with a clear, approachable tone that communicates respect for a global and multicultural audience.
Copy standards emphasize accuracy, inclusivity, and accessibility, with particular attention to plain language and responsible terminology.
Key Implementation Recommendations
- Use the approved type scale and color palette for every new project
- Maintain clear space and minimum sizing for logos in all layouts
- Test readability on both light and dark backgrounds
- Verify imagery and tone against the editorial and photography standards
- Check all assets against the official specifications before publishing or printing
FAQ
Reader questions
How do I choose the correct logo version for dark and light backgrounds?
Use the light-on-dark version of the logo on dark or saturated backgrounds, and the dark-on-light version on light backgrounds to preserve clarity and brand integrity.
What are the minimum sizes for the NYU logo in digital and print applications?
The logo should never be reproduced smaller than the defined minimum size in the guide, with exceptions only when a licensed alternate identifier is permitted by NYU Marketing and Communications.
Which typefaces are recommended for web use according to the NYU style guide?
For digital projects, the guide recommends using system fonts with specific fallbacks and font-display strategies to ensure fast loading and consistent typographic hierarchy across devices.
Can I combine NYU brand colors with custom colors in a digital campaign?
Brand colors should remain dominant in official NYU communications, with custom accent colors used sparingly and only with prior review and approval from the responsible communications office.