Fonts
CNU’s typography suite is the set of official fonts we use across campus.
Our fonts are designed to work in different situations; using them helps everything feel connected and easy to read.
All students, faculty, and staff can download the fonts from Google Drive. If you run into any issues installing them, just reach out to the CNU Help Desk.
Primary Design Font
Trajan Pro
Trajan Pro is the typeface for marketing and promotional materials. It is applied ONLY for title treatments, short headlines, and data points. It is limited in readability below sizes of 36pt in print and 24px in digital. Body copy should never be set using Trajan Pro.
Fonts for everyday use
Arial is one of CNU’s standard fonts. It’s clean, easy to read, and works well in both print and digital formats.
Because Arial is available in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Canva, it’s a convenient choice that helps departments keep a polished and consistent look in everyday communications.
Tahoma, size 12, is the preferred font for Gmail at Christopher Newport University. It was chosen because it’s simple, clear, and easy to read on any screen, giving emails a professional and approachable feel.
Note: Tahoma should be used only in Gmail. For printed materials, presentations, and other brand-aligned documents, please use our primary and secondary fonts, such as Arial, Proxima Nova, Montserrat, and Garamond Premier.
Sans Serif is the default font option in Gmail. Since it appears first in the Gmail font menu, it’s often the quickest and easiest choice for email. Sans Serif is clean, modern, and highly readable, which makes it a reliable option for everyday communication.
When sending Gmail messages, you may use Sans Serif as the default, or switch to Tahoma (our preferred Gmail font) for a more brand-aligned look. For other materials, please use CNU’s approved fonts such as Arial, Proxima Nova, Montserrat, and Garamond Premier.
Secondary Fonts
These secondary fonts may be used in a wide range of applications across CNU materials, including body copy, captions, and supplemental text. They are chosen for their versatility, legibility, and consistency with the Christopher Newport brand.
Proxima Nova bridges the gap between typefaces like Futura and classic sans-serifs. It combines a modern appearance with excellent readability, making it ideal for web, print, and user interface design.
Montserrat is a sleek, geometric sans-serif font that combines modernity and professionalism, offering a clean and approachable look ideal for brands seeking a contemporary, trustworthy identity across digital and print platforms. It pairs well with more traditional serif fonts and supports a balanced, contemporary feel in university communications.
Garamond Premier is a sophisticated serif typeface rooted in classic Renaissance design. It conveys tradition, intellect, and authority, qualities that align well with the academic environment at Christopher Newport. Its readability and graceful letterforms make it ideal for body text in formal documents, publications, and reports.
*Alternative is EB Garamond which can be found on Google Fonts
Accent Script Fonts
Use for materials that require a higher level of sophistication.
Great Vibes is a cursive script font available on Google Fonts. It features elegant, flowing letterforms with connecting strokes, making it ideal for formal or decorative uses like invitations, headings, and branding
Use for materials that are more casual and fun.
Meow Script is a charming and flexible script that elevates designs with its playful flair and monoline consistency.
Contact OCPR for official files and guidance on proper usage of logos, fonts, and colors. When in doubt, reach out to branding@cnu.edu to ensure your materials align with University standards.