NEC Brand Toolkit by New England Conservatory of Music

Brand Toolkit

REVISED OCTOBER 2024

NEC’s Flagship Brand 4

Icon & Marks

Icon 6

Wordmark 7

Lock-up Variations 8

Clear Space & Size 9

Heirarchy Map 10

Tertiary Identity & Usage 11

Misuse of Icon 12

Photography

Vision 14

Archive 15

Flagship Color

Inspiration 16

Primary Colors 18

Support Colors 19

Icon Colors 20

Flagship Typography

Sentiniel 22

Gotham 23

Digital Brand 24

Digital Color

Digital Support Colors 26

NEC Prep 27

Digital Typography

PP Fragment Glare Light 30

Aktiv Grotesk 31

NEC’s Flagship Brand

Icon and Marks

Icon

The mark is created using a customized weight of the sans serif font Kyrial. The line weights are relational to the letters to provide rhythm and balance.

Wordmark

The wordmark is built using the font Kyrial and can be used individually or locked-up with the icon. See examples on page 8.

Icon and Marks

Lock-up Variations

The intention is that the logo mark and the name appear on one page or view, but the scale and lock-up may vary. We have shown a few of those variations.

Clear Space and Size

The wordmark and icon should be isolated from competing text, images and graphics by surrounding it on all sides by an adequate amount of clear space that is equal to the height from the upper line to the top of the 'N'. To ensure legibility, minimum sizes are provided for print and digital use.

Clear space

The NEC Seal

The NEC seal is reserved for specific uses such as presidential communications, transcripts, diplomas, and legal documents, and it can only be used with the express written permission of the President's Office.

Icon and Marks

Hierarchy Map

Schools

Expanded Education

Divisions

Oﬃce of Student Services

Community Engagement + Professional Studies

Preparatory School

Oﬃce of Student Services

Departments & Programs

Projects within departments & programs

No logo - program name should be included in text

Tertiary Identity and Usage

Entrepreneurial Musicianship

These identifying wordmarks use Kyrial to echo the clean look of the main NEC brand. The vertical line anchors the wordmark and also ties back to the main brand. These would always be used in tandem with the school's or division's NEC logo mark. They should be placed separately on the layout and not become too “locked-up”. A headline/program image should be the dominant design focus, with the marks as supporting elements.

Entrepreneurial Musicianship

Icon and Marks

Misuse of the Icon

Do not alter the icon or marks in any way. Avoid physical distortions and special effects such as drop shadows. Below are some examples of misuse.

AB. C. D. E. F.

J. K. L.

Use other color than the primary and secondary palette

Combine the colors

Use a color gradient

Apply a drop shadow

Change the font

Warp the logo

Rotate the logo

Stretch the logo

Place the logo on a gradient background

Change the placement of the wordmark

Outline the logo or the wordmark

Lock up other graphic elements with the logo

Lock up wordmark with the logo

Entrepreneurial Musicianship

Photography

Vision

Capture NEC’s dynamic spirit, from spontaneous, action-driven moments to moody, dramatic shots. Whether showing students deeply engaged in learning or faculty passionately teaching, the focus is on authentic energy using natural light and genuine expressions. Every shot should reflect NEC’s sophisticated and creative essence. Focus on the technical aspects—composition, color, and narrative—to convey the intensity of performances or the quiet dedication during practice. Showcase the diverse NEC community across ages, backgrounds, and roles. Group shots should feel natural and connected, highlighting the inclusive, collaborative environment. Ensure high-resolution, top-quality imagery fit for all mediums. Attention to clarity, composition, and consistency is key to upholding NEC’s cohesive visual identity in both digital and print formats.

Color

Inspiration

The gold is inspired by the warm color and light found throughout the conservatory, in Jordan Hall, in the wood and brass instruments, in the light of a concert, and now on the facade of the Student Life and Performance Center.

Flagship Color

Primary

Evoking the warmth and glow of Jordan Hall, the gold is complemented by a deep plum. Together, they provide a vibrant and upbeat palette that is at home in both classical and contemporary environments and applications.

PMS 124 C

CMYK* 0 30 100 0

RGB* 234 170 0

HEX #eaaa00

* RGB and CMYK value may need to be adjusted for web and print based on technology and printer specifications. Always test color before production.

PMS 669 C

CMYK* 87 97 8 49

RGB* 63 42 86

HEX #3f2a56

Support

These colors support the primary colors. Avoid over ‘colorizing'; instead choose one or two colors that best support the application.

† For CMYK prints, decisions about black ink usage depend on the specific requirements of the project, printer capabilities, and paper type. It is always a good idea to consult with the printer for their recommendations.

PMS 7599 C

CMYK* 1 85 92 19

RGB* 179 61 38

HEX #B33D26

PMS 634

CMYK* 95 0 0 62

RGB* 0 102 130

HEX #006682

PMS 7711

CMYK* 90 3 24 5

RGB* 5 158 168

HEX #059EA8

PMS 7452 C

CMYK* 55 37 0 0

RGB* 128 148 221

HEX #8094dd

Black 85%

CMYK*† 0 0 0 85

RGB* 38 38 38

HEX #4c4c4e

Black

CMYK*† 0 0 0 100

RGB* 0 0 0

HEX #000000

Flagship Color

Icon

The primary icon and wordmark colors are gold and dark plum but may also be used in support colors as appropriate. The logo can also be dropped out of any solid color from the color palette and photography.

* The black logo should be used for black and white printing only.

Flagship Typography

Sentinel

Sentinel is a fresh take on a familiar and practical typographic genre. A well-rounded family with clear and expressive gestures, the self-possessed Sentinel is practical at small sizes and engaging at large ones.

Aa

Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm

Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 . ? ; ( ) ! @ # $ % &

Body Text

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Sentinel is typically used in a headline or a heading before body text. The web-safe Google equivalent for this font is Lora.

Gotham

Aa

Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm

Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 . ? ; ( ) ! @ # $ % &

BodyText

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A geometric sans-serif typeface family. From the lettering that inspired it, Gotham inherited an honest tone that’s assertive but never imposing, It has many different weights and is very versatile. Gotham is typically used in a headline or body text. Aktiv is typically used in body text. The web-safe Google equivalent for this font is Poppins.

NEC’s Digital Brand

Digital Color

Digital Support Color

Note: RGB and CMYK value may need to be adjusted for web and print based on technology and printer specifications. Always test color before production.

PMS 124 C

CMYK 0 30 100 0

RGB 234 170 0

HEX #EAAA00

PMS 663 C

CMYK 0 1 4 0

RGB 255 253 244

HEX #FFFDF4

PMS 7499 C

CMYK 0 3 8 2

RGB 249 242 228

HEX #F9F2E4

PMS 7579 C

CMYK 16 89 99 5

RGB 198 64 40

HEX #C64028

PMS 188 C

CMYK 0 85 79 51

RGB 125 19 26

HEX #7D131A

PMS 5435 C

CMYK 31 21 0 20

RGB 140 162 204

HEX #8CA2CC

PMS 124 C

CMYK 0 25 73 29

RGB 182 137 50

HEX #B68932

PMS 1245 C

CMYK 0 31 91 42

RGB 147 102 13

HEX #93660D

PMS 426 C

CMYK 0 4 0 91

RGB 58 51 41

HEX #3A3329

PMS Black 6 C

CMYK 0 4 4 91

RGB 24 23 23

HEX #181717

NEC Prep

The NEC Prep brand is represented by a unique shade of blue, specifically designated for NEC Prep. This color should be exclusively used in association with NEC Prep to maintain brand consistency and recognition.

PMS 5405 C

CMYK 42 28 0 38

RGB 92 115 159

HEX #5C739F

Digital Typography

Pp Fragment Glare

A modern digital font characterized by its sharp angles and fragmented design, making it perfect for cutting-edge digital projects and creative displays that demand attention.

Aa

Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 . ? ; ( ) ! @ # $ % &

Headline

Lorem ipsum dolor sit elit

PP Fragment Glare is typically used in a headline or a heading before body text. The web-safe Google equivalent for this font is Marcellus.

Aktiv

A versatile and contemporary digital font, Aktiv is known for its clean lines and balanced proportions. This typeface offers a sleek and professional appearance, making it ideal for a wide range of applications and ensuring clarity and readability in any context.

Aa

Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 . ? ; ( ) ! @ # $ % &

Body Text

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Aktiv is typically used in body text. The web-safe Google equivalent for this font is Lato.