This Commencement Style Guide is a brief overview of how to use the Columbia Commencement identity in various communications so that together we can produce clear, consistent, and focused materials for celebrations held in 2023.
For more information and design services, please contact creative@columbia.edu.
University Commencement
University Commencement incorporating year: Use this version with the commencement year if space allows. Use of University Seal is reserved for University Commencement and Trustee events.
clear space
minimum size
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT
The minimum clear space should be maintained around the trademark to separate it from surrounding elements.
The minimum width is 1/5”.
2023 cut-out type to be used for individual ceremonies: to be used as an overlay on imagery or as a vessel for imagery
CLASS DA Y
Columbia University
School of General Studies
display fonts TRAJAN
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
GOTHAM BOOK
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
text fonts
GARAMOND
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
PROXIMA NOVA
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
TRAJAN Bold
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
GOTHAM BOLD
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
GARAMOND Italic
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
PROXIMA NOVA ITALIC
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
Photos should reflect the excitement and pageantry of the Columbia University Commencement season. Photos should celebrate the diverse University community.
mortarboard icon use the cursor with the icon to indicate an online event
lionhead motif
lower thirds
social cards
social templates
Left side: Display name of school or department, with Class of 2023 optional.
Right side: Display the group name, with any secondary line and/or graphic. Do not use Columbia University crowns.
The typeface should be Adobe Trajan Pro. Recommended colors are either PMS 280 with type KO or PMS 290 with type in PMS 280.
The text on either side of a stole should have clear space around it, to separate it from any patterns or designs, without overlap.
For further guidelines for use of Columbia marks, visit cufo.columbia.edu/content /guidelines-use-columbia-marks
Web accessibility refers to the inclusive practice of removing barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to, websites or content by people with disabilities. When sites are correctly designed, developed, and edited, all users have equal access to information and functionality. Digital content must comply with the University Website Accessibility Policy (universitypolicies.columbia.
edu/web-accessibility)
• Aim for clear, concise writing
• Use capitalization, bold, and italics sparingly
• Avoid acronyms and always spell out any on first reference
• Use built-in bulleted or numbered lists, with multiple levels using different numbering schemes on each level
• Make link text descriptive; never use “click here”
• Don’t underline text that is not a link
• Avoid ghosting text onto images; if unavoidable, you must include this text in the image alt text
Every time you upload an image to your site, you must enter accompanying ALT text. Screen readers read ALT text for users who cannot see the images.
• Make your ALT text descriptive of the image in its context on the page
• Aim for text not to exceed 150 characters
Example: Columbia University students wearing graduation caps and gowns, holding tambourines, while celebrating at Commencement
Use webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker to ensure the contrast between fore- and background colors meets the standard.
Transcripts and captions make media accessible to all users. Captions make audible content accessible to the hearing impaired. For accuracy, do not rely on the auto-captioning feature provided by platforms such as YouTube. WCAG
2.0 AA requires transcripts and captions to be 99% accurate.
Transcripts should include a running description of all visual information, including descriptions of scene changes and the actions and expressions of actors, as well as a transcript of all non-speech sound and spoken dialogue.
For printed materials, we recommend an accessible (large print) version of your communication also be available. Below are some basic guidelines:
• Fonts heavily impact readability. Please use sans serif fonts, use a limited number of typefaces on a page, and avoid overly thin or elaborate script fonts
• Document text size should be a minimum of 14pt
• Leading (line spacing) is recommended to be at 1.5x the font size:
14pt type size
21pt leading
16pt type size
24pt leading
For best practices and guidelines, visit accessibility.columbia.edu.
• Use both upper- and lowercase. Avoid all caps within text blocks
• Use bold to highlight headers
• Separate text into columns rather than long text lengths.
• Keep text type in left alignment and avoid hyphens if possible.
• Maintain a good amount of white space between text areas.
• Contrast is important: either white on dark backgrounds or dark on light backgrounds.
• Avoid pastels and avoid putting large amounts of type on images.
• Avoid glossy stock since the glare can be distracting. Print on matte or satin papers and make sure weight of paper is above #24lb thickness, if printing on both sides, to avoid show-through.
• Incorporate graphics or images within your printed materials to help break up large paragraphs of text.
Use white on dark backgrounds
Use dark colors on light backgrounds
