Using our typefaces

The way you apply typography determines how professional and readable your documents appear. Our brand identity offers two powerful typefaces: Merriweather (serif) and Vestula (sans-serif). But how do you use them to their full potential?

The power of contrast: Large vs. small

The first thing you’ll notice in our typographic system is the intentional play with contrasting sizes. Body text is given room to breathe with a generous font size, while captions and notes are deliberately kept smaller. This not only creates a clear visual hierarchy but also helps readers scan and find the most important information.

Tip: Use a minimum of 16pt for your main body text and don't go below 10pt for captions. The reader shouldn't have to squint to understand your message.

Merriweather for body text: Why serif works

Merriweather, our serif typeface, was chosen for a reason. The small strokes (serifs) at the end of the letters help guide the eye, visually 'connecting' words and significantly improving the readability of longer texts. This is why you'll see all continuous running text set in Merriweather.

When to use Merriweather:

• Main body text
• Long paragraphs
• Reports and research papers
• Situations where you want to encourage focused, comfortable reading

Vestula for emphasis: The power of simplicity

Vestula, our sans-serif typeface, stands out with its clean, modern appearance. It's perfect for moments when you need to grab attention or highlight key information. In our brand examples, you'll see Vestula used for headings, labels, and short informational blocks.

When to use Vestula:

• Subheadings
• Navigational elements
• Short information blocks
• Labels and captions
• Situations where you need to capture attention quickly

Creating hierarchy: From large to small

A good typographic hierarchy is like a conversation – you instinctively know when someone is saying something important. This is reflected in our structure:

• Main heading (Merriweather, large): Immediately grabs attention.
• Subheading (Vestula, medium): Introduces the topic.
• Body text (Merriweather, standard): Tells the story.
• Captions (Vestula, small): Provide extra context.

Tips for your daily work

For reports and documents:

• Start with a clear main heading in Vestula.
• Use Merriweather for all continuous body text.
• Use Vestula for subheadings, but make them smaller than your main heading.
• Keep captions and footnotes in Vestula small but legible.

For presentations:

• Use Vestula for all headings – it’s easier to read from a distance.
• Limit body text to key points in Merriweather.
• Remember: less is more in presentations.

For online content:

• Vestula is excellent for web headings.
• Merriweather is perfect for blog posts and news articles.
• Always ensure high contrast: dark text on a light background.

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Mistake 1: Using too many different font sizes.
Solution: Stick to a maximum of four distinct sizes per document.

Mistake 2: Mixing both typefaces within the same block of text.
Solution: Choose one typeface per text block for clarity.

Mistake 3: Using a font size that’s too small for important information.
Solution: Make important information larger, don't just make it bold.

Finally: Consistency is key

The beauty of our typographic system is that every choice reinforces the others. By consistently using Merriweather for long-form text and Vestula for accents and headings, you create recognisable, professional documents worthy of the university.

Feel free to experiment with the examples, but remember: good typography doesn't draw attention to itself – it simply makes your message more effective.

If you have questions about our typography, contact the communication team or see the brand portal for more examples and templates.