Identity Guidelines
This is your quick guide on how to use the Noble and Greenough School identity. A consistent look and feel strengthens how we communicate about Nobles. Our identity is dynamic and can shift tone slightly depending on the formality of the communication. This guide describes how and when to use the various elements.
History
In 1866, George Washington Copp Noble founded Noble’s Classical School, a boys’ day school known informally as “Nobles.” It was renamed Noble and Greenough in 1892 when James Greenough, a mathematics and science teacher, partnered with Mr. Nobles, and they relocated from Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood to Back Bay. In 1922, Nobles moved to its current location on the banks of the Charles River in Dedham, Massachusetts. Nobles went coeducational in 1974.
Our Mission
At Nobles, we forge human connections to inspire a lifelong process of discovery and unlock the potential to do good.
Core Values
Curiosity
Curiosity inspires intellectual inquiry. By questioning, reasoning, and thinking critically, we embrace complex ideas and value the exchange of diverse perspectives.
Respect
Respect for self and others is the bedrock of our community, guiding us to act with honesty, humility, kindness, empathy, and trust.
Playfulness
Playfulness sparks creativity, energizes us to give our best, and fortifies resilience to face challenges. We balance hard work with humor.
Generosity
We show up for each other. We practice generosity in all its forms—sharing our knowledge, time, resources, and passions. Giving deepens our understanding of each other and ourselves.
Belonging
Community means everyone. When we are known and valued, we flourish. Together, we create an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to be their best selves.
Identity Elements
Seal
The seal consists of the shield, date, motto, and full school name. It should be used in sizes larger than .75” in diameter.
For uses of .75” diameter or less, please use the file Nobles_seal_small.eps.
The seal should only be used in formal applications, such as diplomas, celebrations and awards, and announcements on significant matters.
When the seal is used against a dark background a special version should be used to preserve the relationship of the dark and light areas in the shield. This seal is differentiated by the additional white line surrounding the shield in the center. Reversing the standard seal is not acceptable.
Shield
The shield is differentiated from the seal by the insertion of the date of incorporation, 1886 and Nobles on above the shield. This simplified version of the school’s identity should be used in situations where legibility is paramount or where the school is referred to as “Nobles” and not as “Noble and Greenough.”
When the seal is used against a dark background a special version should be used to preserve the relationship of the dark and light areas in the shield. This seal is differentiated by the additional white line surrounding the shield in the center. Reversing the standard seal is not acceptable.
Shield Variations
Horizontal
When the full school name and shield are used together the preferred placement is the shield on the left and the logotype on the right, separated by the width of the “N” in “Noble.”
Vertical
An alternate arrangement centers the school name below the shield. Separate the shield and the name by the height of the “N” in “Noble.”
One-Line Signature
You may also use the school name in one line when the shield is used elsewhere on the same plane. Additionally, you should use the the one-line signature where space is limited, such as a pencil or a pen, where the more detailed logos will not render correctly. Please use the logo file instead of typesetting the logo.
Logo Dos and Don’ts
Do USE this version of the seal.
Do USE this version of the logo.
Do NOT reverse the seal or shield.
Do NOT use the logo in any color but Nobles Blue or White.
Do NOT allow another color to fill in the white spaces of the shield.
Do NOT rotate the logo.
Do NOT skew the logo.
Do NOT alter the logo lockups.
Colors
PMS 2935U (Uncoated stocks)
CMYK: 100/64/0/16
RGB: 0/76/157
HEX: 004C9D
CMYK: 100/78/0/57
RGB: 0/31/95
HEX 001f5f
CMYK: 40/0/8/0
RGB: 155/211/221
HEX: 9BD3DD
CMYK: 3/1/0/43
RGB: 141/144/147
HEX 8D9093
CMYK: 67/5/73/0
RGB: 0/173/80
HEX: 00AD50
CMYK: 50/46/5/0
RGB: 135/140/180
HEX 878CB4
CMYK: 4/1/100/4
RGB: 225/205/0
HEX E1CD00
CMYK: 0/65/60/0
RGB: 248/124/86
HEX F87C56
Typography
Display type (Headings/large callouts)
In the absence of Orbikular, substitute with Lora from Google Fonts and Georgia as a system font alternative.
Secondary (Sub-heads, intros, sidebars, and body copy)
In the absence of Messina Sans, substitute with Inter from Google Fonts and Helvetica as a system font alternative.
Secondary (Body copy)
In the absence of Joly Text, substitute with Libre Baskerville from Google Fonts and Georgia as a system font alternative.
Typographic Styling
How and When to Use Each Component
Formal
Special occasions and professional communications
Examples: Diploma, celebrations and awards, announcements on significant matters, strategic plan, capital campaigns
Name
Noble and Greenough School
Please note we never use an ampersand in the school name
Identity Element
Seal
Colors
Nobles Blue + Navy + Silver or Gray
Fonts
Primary
Courteous and Conversational
Special occasions and professional communications Informative communications about the school
Examples: Admission materials, admission newsletters, alumni outreach, magazine, annual reports, annual giving campaigns
Name
Nobles
Identity Element
Shield + Type
Colors
Full palette
Fonts
Primary
Casual
Internal and informal communications within the immediate school community
Examples: Weekly newsletters, blog posts, internally-shared slide decks, student-led communications, student-focused flyers
Name
Nobles
Identity Element
Shield or division-led logo (if a logo is needed)
Colors
Full palette
Fonts
Primary and secondary font day-to-day use
The "N" Angle
The “N”-Angle is based on the primary angle in the shield. It is rotated 54° from a horizontal line, or -36° from a vertical line.
The “N” Angle should be used sparingly to signify connection.
Signatures
Here are directions on how to change your signature in Gmail. For our signatures, we use Gmail’s Sans Serif type (which will be either Roboto or Arial), at 13px. Please copy and paste this format into the signature field, and then edit your details to match the same sequence.
