Mercury, designed by Hoefler & Co., are contemporary serif typefaces that feel sophisticated and academic but also fresh and personable.
Brand Type
Our college’s official brand typefaces are Mercury and Calibre. However, licenses for these fonts are limited, and we encourage use of our open-source alternative typefaces, available via Google Fonts, among the campus community.
Official Typefaces
Calibre, designed by Klim Type Foundry, is a geometric sans-serif that feels bold and direct, yet friendly.
Alternate Typefaces
Licenses for Mercury and Calibre are limited. Campus community members should use our open-source alternate typefaces, Figtree and Source Serif, the official substitutes.
These fonts serve as practical alternatives to our primary typefaces, ensuring that staff, faculty, and partners can create branded materials even when our core fonts are unavailable.
Figtree, designed by Erik Kennedy, is a strong alternative to Calibre because it closely mirrors Calibre’s clean, modern, and highly legible design while being open source and widely accessible. It is a versatile system with a professional and approachable feel.
Source Serif 4, designed by Frank Grießhammer, is a reliable alternative to Mercury because it captures a similar balance of elegance, readability, and typographic refinement. It is well-suited for contexts that require a touch of formality.
Which font should I use?
Figtree should be the primary typeface for most applications, as its modern, clean, and approachable design aligns with Ithaca College’s forward-thinking brand personality. It ensures clarity and consistency across digital and print materials, making it the best choice for general use.
Source Serif, on the other hand, should be used selectively to introduce a sense of tradition, formality, or editorial sophistication. When used together, they create a sophisticated balance of contemporary energy and timeless credibility within the brand system. See below for combination suggestions.
Hierarchy Examples
When using the brand typefaces, follow the example shown to style headlines, subheads, body copy, and quotes.