Typography

Ringside Narrow

Ringside Narrow is the university’s primary typeface for brand applications.

Typography Usage

In Logos

Wordmarks for BYU or any of its entities should be used as images. Graphic designers use Ringside Narrow to create the wordmarks, and then they provide the wordmarks to you as images. Displaying wordmarks as images instead of in type ensures that the marks are displayed accurately. You do not need a license to Ringside Narrow to use the logos.

Online

The BYU web theme uses Ringside Narrow in its menus and the footer. When you use the theme as prescribed, you can also use Ringside Narrow elsewhere on your website—in headings, etc. (see Web Typography). You do not need a license to Ringside Narrow to use it on your website; it is built into Brightspot.

Other

Except for in logos and online, you are not required to use Ringside Narrow. Any well-designed typeface is acceptable for display type, headings, body text, etc.

Purchase

If you wish to use Ringside Narrow in print or other applications, you may purchase a single-user license for $25 through Brand & Creative (see contact info below).

Typography Dos and Don'ts

• DO select a couple of complementary typefaces or type treatments for specific purposes (headings, body text, pull quotes, etc.), and use them consistently.
• DO ensure there is sufficient contrast between the text color and the background color.
• DO avoid busy backgrounds, especially for body text. Busy backgrounds make text hard to read.
• DO use size, weight, capitalization, and color to help create hierarchy and emphasis with type. But be careful not to use too many variations.
• DON'T render text so that it is too small and cannot be read easily. For print items, body text should generally be about 10 points or larger, depending on the typeface; for online usage, body text should be about 16 points or larger.
• DON'T use a lot of different typefaces in one communication piece.
• DON'T use a lot of different colors for text in one document; use a few selected colors for specific purposes.
• DON'T use a lot of type characteristics to make something stand out even more. Bold plus italics plus all caps plus green plus underline is overkill. One or two characteristics is usually sufficient (e.g. bold plus all caps or italics plus color).