Meridian · Brand Type System · v1.0
Typography System Documentation

The type
that holds true.

3
Typefaces
12
Scale steps
5
Palette colors
v1.0
Current
Section 01
The Three Faces
Meridian's typographic identity is built from three voices. Each has a defined role. They are not interchangeable.
Meridian Serif · Cormorant Garamond Editorial / Display
Instruments that last.
Precision made visible.
The editorial serif carries the brand's authority. Used for headlines, hero text, callout figures, and any moment requiring the brand to speak with weight. Its narrow proportions and high contrast reward large sizes. Never use below 20px. Pair the light italic with dark backgrounds for atmosphere.
Meridian Sans · DM Sans Workhorse / Interface
Built for fieldwork.
Clear at every distance, in any condition.
The sans workhorse handles all running copy, UI labels, navigation, captions, and secondary communication. Geometric but warm, it does not compete with the serif. Preferred weights: 300 for body, 500 for emphasis, 700 for UI labels only. Avoid 400 weight in long text, use 300 instead.
Meridian Instrument · Space Mono Data / Technical
47°28'N 122°19'W
CALIBRATED · SERIAL NO. M-1963-4 · TOLERANCE ±0.001°
The instrument face is reserved for data, coordinates, product codes, specifications, callout labels, and UI metadata. Its monospaced construction signals precision and technical provenance, the brand's instrument heritage. Never use for running copy or headlines.
Section 02
The Type Scale
A modular scale built on a 1.25 ratio from a 15px base. Each step has a named token. Use tokens, not arbitrary values.
display-xl Meridian Serif 600 · 96/96
display-lg Meridian Instruments Serif 600 · 72/72
display-md Meridian Instruments Co. Serif 500 · 52/56
heading-xl Precision Navigation Systems Serif 600 · 38/44
heading-lg Surveying & Measurement Equipment Serif 600 · 28/34
heading-md Product Specifications Overview Sans 500 · 22/28
heading-sm Technical Documentation Sans 500 · 17/22
body-lg The instrument measures what others approximate. Sans 300 · 17/28
body-md Manufactured to tolerances of one ten-thousandth of a degree. Sans 300 · 15/24
body-sm Available in brass, stainless, and field-grade polymer. Each unit serial-numbered. Sans 300 · 13/22
caption Figure 4: Cross-section of the M-1963 transit level, showing leveling bubble and vernier scale. Sans 400 · 11/18
label Serial No. · Tolerance · Calibration Date Mono 400 · 10/16
Section 03
Pairing in Use
Live examples of the three faces working together across editorial, marketing, and product contexts.
Light Editorial · Serif + Sans
Forty years of true north.
Founded 1963, Zurich
When precision is the only acceptable standard, instrument makers choose Meridian. Every unit is calibrated against primary standards and bears a serial number traceable to its date of manufacture.
Dark Display · Serif + Mono
The land does not negotiate.
±0.001°
TOLERANCE SPECIFICATION
Every Meridian unit ships calibrated and serial-numbered.
Product Spec · Sans + Mono
M-1971 Transit Level
Weight 2.4 kg
Tolerance ±0.001°
Materials Brass / Glass
Serial M-1971-0047
Accent Surface · Serif + Mono
Instruments for those who need to be certain.
Use verdigris sparingly
Reserve this surface for primary calls-to-action, highlighted callouts, and key data points. No more than 15% of any layout.
Interactive
Type Tester
Your text →
Meridian Serif
Display · Editorial
Instruments that last.
Meridian Serif
Light Italic · Atmosphere
Instruments that last.
Meridian Sans
Medium · Workhorse
Instruments that last.
Meridian Sans
Light · Body
Instruments that last.
Meridian Instrument
Regular · Data
Instruments that last.
Size:
Section 04
Usage Guidance
Common misapplications and their correct alternatives. When in doubt, use less of the serif, more of the sans.
Do
Precision built in,
not added after.
Use the serif for the headline. Drop to sans for body. Let each face do its job.
Serif headlines paired with sans body copy. Clear hierarchy. Two voices in conversation.
Don't
PRECISION BUILT IN, NOT ADDED AFTER.
Do not use the instrument face for headlines or body text at any size.
The instrument face is for data and labels only. Never use it as a headline or body substitute.
Do
For those who need to be certain.
M-1971 Transit Level · Serial M-1971-0047
Serif italic for atmosphere, mono for technical metadata. The contrast reads as authoritative.
Don't
FOR THOSE WHO NEED TO BE CERTAIN.
M-1971 TRANSIT LEVEL · SERIAL M-1971-0047
Don't set the serif in all-caps, and don't use it for metadata. It loses legibility and competes with itself.
Section 05
Type on Color
How each typeface behaves on each surface. Every brand color has a sanctioned type color and face assignment.
Bone
#EAE6DF
Primary surface
All three faces
Midnight
#151820
Dark surface
Bone or gold type
Verdigris
#3D7A6E
Accent surface
White type only
Gold
#C8A96A
Highlight only
Never as bg for body
Warm Gray
#B5AFA6
Subtle dividers
Rules, borders, metadata