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IECC Typography Guidelines
Typography is a key element of IECC's brand identity, contributing to the overall tone and professionalism of our communications. Our chosen typefaces embody the modernity, clarity, and tradition we value. Consistent use of these fonts across all platforms ensures a cohesive and recognizable brand presence.
Note: For downloadable font files and installation instructions, please visit our complete branding resources page.
Primary Fonts
Our primary fonts form the foundation of IECC's visual identity. They should be used consistently across all communications to maintain brand recognition and professionalism.
Futura PT
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
Primary Use: Headlines, titles, and section headers, typically in all caps for emphasis.
Properties: Modern, geometric, clean, and highly legible.
When writing our college names in marketing materials, they should always be in Futura PT Medium, in all caps to ensure consistency and impact.
Century Gothic
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
Primary Use: Body text in brochures, digital materials, and general communications.
Properties: Highly readable sans-serif font with excellent legibility at various sizes.
Century Gothic is ideal for longer text passages in both print and digital formats.
Garamond
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
Primary Use: Formal documents, official reports, and materials requiring a classic aesthetic.
Properties: Elegant serif font with excellent readability and a traditional appearance.
Garamond adds a touch of sophistication and tradition to formal IECC communications.
Open Source Alternatives
When licensed fonts are not available, these open-source alternatives provide excellent substitutes while maintaining brand consistency.
Jost
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
Alternative For: Futura PT
Google Fonts Link: fonts.google.com/specimen/Jost
Jost is a geometric sans-serif with a clean, modern aesthetic that closely resembles Futura's distinctive style.
League Spartan
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
Alternative For: Century Gothic
Google Fonts Link: fonts.google.com/specimen/League+Spartan
League Spartan offers excellent readability with a modern sans-serif design that works well for body text.
EB Garamond
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
Alternative For: Garamond
Google Fonts Link: fonts.google.com/specimen/EB+Garamond
EB Garamond is a high-quality open-source implementation of the classic Garamond typeface.
Similar Fonts
These additional fonts can be used when primary fonts or their open-source alternatives are not available, or when specific design applications require alternatives.
Similar to Futura
Montserrat - Google Fonts Link
MONTSERRAT
Work Sans - Google Fonts Link
WORK SANS
Nunito - Google Fonts Link
NUNITO
Similar to Century Gothic
Nunito Sans - Google Fonts Link
NUNITO SANS
Quicksand - Google Fonts Link
QUICKSAND
Source Sans Pro - Google Fonts Link
SOURCE SANS PRO
Similar to Garamond
Cormorant Garamond - Google Fonts Link
CORMORANT GARAMOND
Crimson Text - Google Fonts Link
CRIMSON TEXT
Libre Baskerville - Google Fonts Link
LIBRE BASKERVILLE
Font Hierarchy
A consistent hierarchy helps organize information effectively and guides the reader through your content. Follow these guidelines to maintain clarity and professionalism in all communications.
Standard Hierarchy
Heading Level 1
Heading Level 2
Heading Level 3
Body Text: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. Keep body text in Century Gothic for optimal readability across print and digital formats.
Small Text / Captions: Use smaller sizes for captions, footnotes, and supplementary information.
Hierarchy Guidelines
- Maintain Contrast: Ensure clear visual distinction between heading levels using size, weight, and spacing.
- Consistency is Key: Use the same hierarchy pattern throughout a document or related set of materials.
- Don't Skip Levels: Move sequentially through heading levels (H1 → H2 → H3) without skipping.
- Spacing Matters: Allow for appropriate white space before and after headings to enhance readability.
Web Fonts
For digital applications, consistency in typography is equally important. The following guidelines ensure that our web presence maintains the IECC brand identity.
Recommended Web Font Stack
font-family: 'Futura', 'Century Gothic', 'Garamond', sans-serif;
This font stack ensures that if the preferred font isn't available, an acceptable alternative will be used.
Web Typography Guidelines
- Responsive Sizing: Use relative units (rem, em) to ensure typography scales appropriately across devices.
- Line Length: Aim for 50-75 characters per line for optimal readability.
- Line Height: Set line height between 1.4 and 1.6 for body text to improve readability.
- Contrast: Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background for accessibility.
- Limit Varieties: Use no more than 2-3 font families on a single page to maintain visual harmony.
Typography Rules & Best Practices
Following these guidelines ensures that all IECC communications maintain professional quality and brand consistency.
General Rules
- Consistency First: Maintain the same font choices, sizes, and styles throughout related materials.
- Limit Font Families: Use no more than 2-3 font families in a single document or design.
- Whitespace Matters: Allow adequate spacing between paragraphs, headings, and sections.
- Alignment: Generally use left alignment for body text to improve readability.
- Contrast: Ensure strong contrast between text and background for accessibility.
- Avoid All Caps for body text as it reduces readability (reserve for short headings and titles).
- Line Length: Keep lines to 50-75 characters for optimal reading experience.
Examples of Proper Typography Usage
Email Communication
ACADEMIC ADVISING APPOINTMENT
Dear Student,
We're reaching out to confirm your academic advising appointment on Monday, March 10, at 2:00 PM in the Student Services building.
Best regards,
Student Services Team
Lincoln Trail College
Marketing Flyer
SPRING REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Classes Begin January 14
Register early to secure your spot in high-demand courses. Meet with an advisor to plan your schedule and explore financial aid options.
VISIT IECC.EDU/REGISTER