Brand Guidelines
Arcen powers the payment rails behind enterprise operations. These guidelines define how we present ourselves — with precision, restraint, and the confidence that comes from knowing what we're building matters.
Display
Libre Baskerville
Headlines, pull quotes,
cover text, editorial moments
UI / Body
Figtree
All UI, body copy, labels,
navigation, buttons
Data / Code
DM Mono
Numbers, transaction IDs,
timestamps, kickers
Clear space requirement
Minimum clear space on all sides equals the height of the logo mark. Never crowd the logo with other elements, text, or imagery.
| We are | Not | What this means in practice | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precise | vague | We use specific numbers, timelines, and outcomes. No "industry-leading" without data behind it. | "Settle in T+1 across 47 currencies." |
| Authoritative | arrogant | We speak from deep expertise, not ego. We explain things without condescension. | "Here's how the SWIFT layer actually works." |
| Direct | blunt | We don't bury the lead. Short sentences. Active voice. No filler phrases. | "You pay per transaction. No minimums." |
| Measured | cold | Financial infrastructure is high stakes. We're calm and steady, not robotic or detached. | "We'll walk you through the reconciliation process." |
Buttons
Primary: Ink fill — highest priority actions. Secondary: Ink stroke — alternative paths. Amber: Reserved for top-of-funnel CTAs only.
Status Badges
DM Mono, 10px, uppercase. Status dots always 6px. Colors encode meaning strictly — never decorative.
Data Display
Form Elements
Square corners only. 1px Stone border. No border-radius. Figtree 13px.
Base unit: 4px. All spacing is a multiple of 4. Generous whitespace is not waste — it is precision.
Grid system
12-column grid. 24px gutters. 64px page margin on desktop, 32px on tablet, 24px on mobile. Content max-width: 1200px. All layouts should breathe — padding between sections is never less than 64px.
Do
Let whitespace work
Arcen layouts breathe. Generous margins and generous line-height signal confidence. Don't fill every pixel.
Don't
Don't use amber as a background
Amber is an accent — for a single CTA button or a kicker label. Never use it as a section background or decorative fill.
Do
Use Libre Baskerville for editorial moments
The serif is reserved for headlines, pull quotes, and cover text. It signals weight and permanence where it matters most.
Don't
Don't mix border-radius styles
Arcen UI uses square corners throughout — no border-radius on inputs, cards, or buttons. Rounded corners are expressly off-brand.
Do
Use DM Mono for all financial data
Every amount, transaction ID, timestamp, and account number must be set in DM Mono. Tabular figures, always.
Don't
Don't introduce a third typeface
The system is Libre Baskerville + Figtree + DM Mono. Three families, each with a defined role. Adding a fourth is never appropriate.