Using our font

Our typeface is Akzidenz Grotesk, which reflects our no-nonsense approach. Multiple weights of Akzidenz are available to create clear, bold and accessible content.

Image [1] Akzidenz Grotesk font weights:

Akzidenz Grotesk should be used wherever possible. If Akzidenz* is not available, use Arial as a substitute.

*Please see font licencing below.

Text positioning and alignment

• All text should be fully justified with equal right and left margins [2] or left-aligned [3].
• Text can be positioned to the left, right or centre of the content, as long as it’s fully justified [2] or left-aligned for accessibility [3].
• Ensure text is clearly visible and not obscured by any other elements.

Image [2] Fully justified text. Image [3] Left-aligned text:

Headings or titles

Akzidenz Grotesk Super should be used for headings, bold statements or titles on content.

Headings are usually written in uppercase and only a few words long [2, 4, 5]. Headings or titles longer than 8 words should be written in sentence case. [6]

For a distinctive Essex look and feel, we enlarge certain words to help create a fully justified blocky visual. Fully justified text can be used for headings, just no more than four lines. [4]

• Leading should be set at 1 point higher than the font size used e.g. 48pt text should have 49pt leading.
• Gradients can be used within the text. Use a strong contrast to the background colour for legibility. [5]
• Outlined font can be used, just make sure the background is high enough contrast for readability. [4]
• Akzidenz Super can be used cut-out with an image showing through, or with a gradient of two colours [5].

• Do not underline text in titles as this signifies a link on digital communications.

Image [4] Lines of fully justified text. Image [5] Use of gradients in text:

Image [6] Longer titles written in sentence case:

Body copy

Akzidenz Grotesk Light, Regular, or Arial should be used for sub-headings and body copy.

• Other weights can be used to create emphasis and hierarchy.
• For legibility keep to no more than 3 weights within a piece.
• Avoid using ALL CAPITALS and italics as this can make it hard to read and less accessible.
• Word clouds are not to be used, as they look dated and don’t fit within our style.

Our font substitute

Our font Akzidenz is for use in our marketing materials.

For Microsoft packages – namely Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word – and instances where a font licence does not exist you can substitute with Arial.

• Arial Black can be used for headings in place of Akzidenz Super.
• Arial is our chosen default font for body copy (paragraph text).

Word will open with Calibri as the default font. The instructions below will set Arial as the default font in all new word documents, in line with our Essex identity: Changing your Word template (.docx).

Essex Modular is a bespoke font used on our wayfinding signage only.

Font licencing

Akzidenz Grotesk is a licenced font.

If you’re using it in any materials, please check with DITS purchasing (dits.purchasing@essex.ac.uk) about purchasing a licence for use. For the transfer of font licence users on an existing licence, check with your departmental finance administrator/business manager.

Any downloaded font files must not be shared between staff without checking that an available licence is in place, as licence terms only allow for a specific number of users by device.

We don’t supply licences for our font to external suppliers, so costs to purchase the font would need to be considered as part of the production cost if it has been agreed with the brand team that your project is being produced by an external supplier other than CDS.

If you have any queries about using our font, please contact branding@essex.ac.uk