\documentclass[aspectratio=1610]{beamer}
\title{Wildcat Beamer Theme}
\date{April 2026}
\author{Aaron Wolf (Northwestern University)}
% Theme options — pattern, color, and font can be combined:
% \usetheme[pattern=triangle, color=nudarkblue]{wildcat}
%
% pattern: facet (default), facetrand, triangle, triangleiso, trianglemesh,
% squares, circles, hexraise, hexrand, network, quilt, plain
% color: any named color (nu* colors are all available after theme loads).
% All wcprimary shades are auto-generated. Omit to keep NU purple.
% font: poppins (Poppins+IBM Plex), nu (Campton+Akkurat), installed (system fonts),
% or omit for default (Fira Sans — no files needed)
\usetheme{wildcat}
% You change the titlegraphic to whatever you want, or comment it out to remove it.
\titlegraphic{\includegraphics[scale=0.25]{logo-northwestern.pdf}}
% % For fine-grained control over shades, override colors manually AFTER \usetheme.
% % For example, Yale Blue (#00356b) with hand-tuned shades:
% \definecolor{wcprimary}{RGB}{0,53,107}
% \definecolor{wcprimary140}{RGB}{0, 34, 70}
% \definecolor{wcprimary130}{RGB}{0, 40, 80}
% \definecolor{wcprimary120}{RGB}{0, 45, 91}
% \definecolor{wcprimary110}{RGB}{0, 50, 102}
% \definecolor{wcprimary40}{RGB}{153, 174, 196}
% \definecolor{wcprimary30}{RGB}{179, 194, 211}
% \definecolor{wcprimary20}{RGB}{204, 215, 225}
% \definecolor{wcprimary10}{RGB}{230, 235, 240}
% % Alert and example colors:
% \definecolor{wcalerted}{RGB}{189,83,25}
% \definecolor{wcexample}{RGB}{95,113,45}
% % If you want to change the general slide background color),
% % you can use the following command:
%\setbeamercolor{background canvas}{bg=nupurple10!30}
% % Turn off section slides
% \AtBeginSection{}
% % Use a custom background pattern
% % (see bg-gallery/bg-template.tex for an example
% % of how to define your own pattern):
% \input{bg-gallery/bg-template}
\begin{document}
\begin{frame}
\titlepage
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}{Introduction}
The Wildcat theme is a Beamer theme for Northwestern University that can be easily customized with different colors, fonts, and background patterns.
\\ ~ \\
It is inspired by the \href{https://github.com/matze/mtheme}{Metropolis theme} by Matthias Vogelgesang, and incorporates the Northwestern University facet design pattern. Licensed under the GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE.
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}{Contents}
\tableofcontents
\end{frame}
\section{Background Patterns}
\begin{frame}[fragile]{Background Patterns}
The theme ships with 12 built-in background patterns. The easiest way to switch is via a theme option:
\scriptsize
\begin{verbatim}
\usetheme[pattern=triangle]{wildcat}
\end{verbatim}
\normalsize
Section pages automatically use the same pattern as the title page. Available pattern options:
\begin{columns}[t]
\column{0.5\textwidth}
\begin{itemize}\footnotesize
\item \texttt{facet} — NU facets (default)
\item \texttt{facetrand} — NU facets (alternate)
\item \texttt{triangle} — triangle mosaic
\item \texttt{triangleiso} — isometric triangles
\item \texttt{trianglemesh} — wireframe mesh
\item \texttt{squares} — square grid
\end{itemize}
\column{0.5\textwidth}
\begin{itemize}\footnotesize
\item \texttt{circles} — circles
\item \texttt{hexraise} — raised hex clusters
\item \texttt{hexrand} — random hex shading
\item \texttt{network} — network grid
\item \texttt{quilt} — quilt rings
\item \texttt{plain} — solid color
\end{itemize}
\end{columns}
\vskip0.5em
{\footnotesize See \href{https://github.com/aarondwolf/wildcat/blob/main/source/wildcat-gallery.pdf}{\texttt{wildcat-gallery.pdf}} for a visual preview of all patterns.}
\end{frame}
\section{Colors}
\begin{frame}
\frametitle{Colors}
The theme has a few Northwestern-specific colors defined, which you can use in your slides. These are:
\begin{columns}
\column{0.3\textwidth}
\begin{itemize}
\item[$\textcolor{nupurple}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nupurple}{nupurple}
\item[$\textcolor{nupurple90}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nupurple90}{nupurple90}
\item[$\textcolor{nupurple80}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nupurple80}{nupurple80}
\item[$\textcolor{nupurple70}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nupurple70}{nupurple70}
\item[$\textcolor{nupurple60}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nupurple60}{nupurple60}
\item[$\textcolor{nupurple50}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nupurple50}{nupurple50}
\item[$\textcolor{nupurple40}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nupurple40}{nupurple40}
\item[$\textcolor{nupurple30}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nupurple30}{nupurple30}
\item[$\textcolor{nupurple20}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nupurple20}{nupurple20}
\item[$\textcolor{nupurple10}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nupurple10}{nupurple10}
\end{itemize}
\column{0.3\textwidth}
\begin{itemize}
\item[$\textcolor{nupurple160}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nupurple160}{nupurple160}
\item[$\textcolor{nupurple150}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nupurple150}{nupurple150}
\item[$\textcolor{nupurple140}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nupurple140}{nupurple140}
\item[$\textcolor{nupurple130}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nupurple130}{nupurple130}
\item[$\textcolor{nupurple120}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nupurple120}{nupurple120}
\item[$\textcolor{nupurple110}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nupurple110}{nupurple110}
\item[$\textcolor{nurichblack}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nurichblack}{nurichblack}
\item[$\textcolor{nubrightgreen}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nubrightgreen}{nubrightgreen}
\item[$\textcolor{nubrightteal}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nubrightteal}{nubrightteal}
\item[$\textcolor{nubrightblue}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nubrightblue}{nubrightblue}
\end{itemize}
\column{0.3\textwidth}
\begin{itemize}
\item[$\textcolor{nubrightyellow}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nubrightyellow}{nubrightyellow}
\item[$\textcolor{nubrightorange}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nubrightorange}{nubrightorange}
\item[$\textcolor{nubrightred}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nubrightred}{nubrightred}
\item[$\textcolor{nudarkgreen}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nudarkgreen}{nudarkgreen}
\item[$\textcolor{nudarkteal}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nudarkteal}{nudarkteal}
\item[$\textcolor{nudarkblue}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nudarkblue}{nudarkblue}
\item[$\textcolor{nudarkyellow}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nudarkyellow}{nudarkyellow}
\item[$\textcolor{nudarkorange}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nudarkorange}{nudarkorange}
\item[$\textcolor{nudarkred}{\bullet}$] \textcolor{nudarkred}{nudarkred}
\end{itemize}
\end{columns}
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}[fragile]{Modifying the Primary Color}
Pass a \texttt{color} option to \texttt{\textbackslash usetheme} — the theme auto-generates all lighter and darker shades automatically:
\scriptsize
\begin{verbatim}
\usetheme[color=nudarkblue]{wildcat}
\end{verbatim}
\normalsize
You can combine \texttt{color} and \texttt{pattern} in a single line:
\scriptsize
\begin{verbatim}
\usetheme[color=nudarkblue, pattern=hexraise]{wildcat}
\end{verbatim}
\normalsize
The \texttt{nu*} colors from the previous slide are all valid choices, as are the standard xcolor built-ins (\texttt{red}, \texttt{blue}, \texttt{cyan}, etc.). The alert and example colors (\texttt{wcalerted}, \texttt{wcexample}) are not affected and can be overridden separately.
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}[fragile]{Modifying the Primary Color: Custom RGB}
The \texttt{color} option accepts any \textit{named} color — not raw RGB values. If your brand color isn't already defined, declare it first:
\scriptsize
\begin{verbatim}
\definecolor{myblue}{RGB}{0,53,107}
\usetheme[color=myblue]{wildcat}
\end{verbatim}
\normalsize
When you pass a color via the \texttt{color} option, that color becomes available to use as \texttt{wcprimary} in your slides, and the theme auto-generates the lighter and darker shades as \texttt{wcprimary10}–\texttt{40} and \texttt{wcprimary110}–\texttt{140}, respectively. These are also available as named colors you can use in your slides, and the theme uses them internally for block backgrounds and pattern fills.
\\ ~ \\
The auto-generated shades follow a simple scale: \texttt{wcprimary10}–\texttt{40} mix the base color with white (lighter tints), and \texttt{wcprimary110}–\texttt{140} mix it with black (darker shades). These are sufficient for most use cases — if you need precise per-shade control, see the Advanced Customization section at the end of this document.
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}[fragile]
\frametitle{Using Colors in Graphs}
%You can use the colors in your graphs in Python, R, and Stata using the following commands:
\begin{tblock}{Python}
\footnotesize
\begin{verbatim}
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import pandas as pd
plt.style.use('ggplot')
# Create colors
wcprimary = (78/255,42/255,132/255)
df = pd.read_stata("source/graphs/auto.dta")
plt.scatter(df["weight"], df["mpg"], color=wcprimary)
plt.xlabel("Weight")
plt.ylabel("MPG")
plt.savefig("source/graphs/plot-python.pdf")
plt.show()
\end{verbatim}
\end{tblock}
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}[fragile]
\frametitle{Using Colors in Graphs}
\begin{figure}
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.65\textwidth]{graphs/plot-python.pdf}
\caption{Python Graph Example}
\label{fig:graph-python}
\end{figure}
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}[fragile]
\frametitle{Using Colors in Graphs}
\begin{tblock}{R}
\footnotesize
\begin{verbatim}
library(ggplot2)
library(haven)
# Load data
df <- read_dta("source/graphs/auto.dta")
# Define custom RGB colors
wcprimary <- rgb(78/255, 42/255, 132/255)
# Plot mpg against weight, with marker color wcprimary
plot <- ggplot(df, aes(x = weight, y = mpg)) +
geom_point(color = wcprimary) +
labs(x = "Weight", y = "MPG")
# Save the plot to a file with a specific size
ggsave("source/graphs/plot-R.pdf", plot, width = 8, height = 5)
\end{verbatim}
\end{tblock}
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}[fragile]
\frametitle{Using Colors in Graphs}
\begin{figure}
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.7\textwidth]{graphs/plot-R.pdf}
\caption{R Graph Example}
\label{fig:graph-R}
\end{figure}
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}[fragile]
\frametitle{Using Colors in Graphs}
\begin{tblock}{Stata}
\footnotesize
\begin{verbatim}
ssc install schemepack, replace
sysuse auto, clear
local wcprimary "78 42 132"
twoway (scatter mpg weight, mcolor("`wcprimary'")), ///
scheme(gg_tableau)
graph export "source/graphs/plot-stata.pdf", replace
\end{verbatim}
\end{tblock}
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}[fragile]
\frametitle{Using Colors in Graphs}
\begin{figure}
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.7\textwidth]{graphs/plot-stata.pdf}
\caption{Stata Graph Example}
\label{fig:graph-stata}
\end{figure}
\end{frame}
\section{Fonts}
\begin{frame}[fragile]{Fonts: Default (Fira Sans)}
By default, the theme uses \textbf{Fira Sans} --- a clean, geometric sans-serif that ships with TeX Live and MiKTeX and is pre-installed on Overleaf. No font files need to be downloaded or bundled:
\scriptsize
\begin{verbatim}
\usetheme{wildcat} % Fira Sans loads automatically
\end{verbatim}
\normalsize
\textbf{Overleaf:} works out of the box. \\
\textbf{MiKTeX:} auto-installs on first compile. \\
\textbf{TeX Live:} if the font is not found, run \texttt{tlmgr install fira} in your terminal, then recompile. \\[0.5em]
Requires \textbf{XeLaTeX} or \textbf{LuaLaTeX} — PDFLaTeX will fail.
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}[fragile]{Fonts: Poppins + IBM Plex Sans}
For a closer match to Northwestern's recommended free fonts, use \texttt{font=poppins}. Download both families from Google Fonts and place them in a \texttt{fonts/} folder next to your \texttt{.tex} file:
\scriptsize
\begin{verbatim}
\usetheme[font=poppins]{wildcat}
\end{verbatim}
\begin{verbatim}
your-presentation/
your-slides.tex
fonts/
Poppins/
Poppins-Medium.ttf Poppins-MediumItalic.ttf
Poppins-SemiBold.ttf Poppins-SemiBoldItalic.ttf
Poppins-Light.ttf Poppins-LightItalic.ttf
Poppins-Regular.ttf Poppins-Italic.ttf
IBM_Plex_Sans/
IBMPlexSans-Light.ttf IBMPlexSans-LightItalic.ttf
IBMPlexSans-Regular.ttf IBMPlexSans-Italic.ttf
\end{verbatim}
\normalsize
For proprietary Northwestern brand fonts (Campton + Akkurat Pro), see the Advanced Customization section.
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}{Font Style: Examples}
Here is what the body font will look like under normal usage:
\begin{itemize}
\item Regular
\item \textit{Italic}
\item \textbf{Bold}
\item \textbf{\textit{Bold Italic}}
\item \alert{Alert}
\item \alert{\textit{Alert Italic}}
\item Math: $$e = \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty}\left(1+\frac{1}{n}\right)^{n}$$
\end{itemize}
\end{frame}
\section{Block Environments}
\begin{frame}{Pattern Blocks (tcolorbox)}
Three patterned block environments are available as drop-in replacements for standard Beamer blocks: \texttt{tblock}, \texttt{talert}, and \texttt{texample}.
\begin{tblock}{T Block Title}
This is a tcolorbox style block.
\end{tblock}
\begin{talert}{T Alert Title}
This is a tcolorbox style alert block.
\end{talert}
\begin{texample}{T Example Title}
This is a tcolorbox style example block.
\end{texample}
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}[fragile]{Custom Color Pattern Blocks}
\texttt{tpatternbox} is a variant that accepts an optional color argument, letting you use any named color for the block header.
\begin{tpatternbox}[nudarkyellow]{Custom Pattern Block Title}
This is a tpatternbox block. It can be created with the following code:
\begin{verbatim}
\begin{tpatternbox}[nudarkyellow]{Custom Pattern Block Title}
This is a tpatternbox block...
\end{tpatternbox}
\end{verbatim}
\end{tpatternbox}
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}
\frametitle{Box Examples (Default)}
Standard Beamer blocks work as usual. The theme styles them with flat (non-rounded, non-shaded) colors.
\begin{block}{Main Block}
This is an example block
\end{block}
\begin{alertblock}{Alert Box}
This is an alert box
\end{alertblock}
\begin{exampleblock}{Example Box}
This is an example box
\end{exampleblock}
\end{frame}
\section{Special Frames}
% Sections
\begin{frame}{Sections}
\texttt{\textbackslash section\{\}} groups slides and automatically inserts a section title slide. To disable section slides, add this to your preamble:
\\ ~ \\
\texttt{\textbackslash AtBeginSection\{\}}
\end{frame}
% Blank Frame
\begin{frame}[plain]{}
The \texttt{[plain]} option produces a fully blank frame with no header, footer, or background. Use it for title cards, full-bleed figures, or transition slides:
\\ ~ \\
\texttt{\textbackslash begin\{frame\}[plain]\{\}} \\
\texttt{...} \\
\texttt{\textbackslash end\{frame\}}
\end{frame}
% Standout frame
\begin{frame}{Standout Slides}
\texttt{\textbackslash standout\{text\}} creates a full-pattern slide with large centered white text — useful for section breaks, closing slides, or anything that needs emphasis:
\\ ~ \\
\texttt{\textbackslash standout\{Appendix\}}
\end{frame}
\standout{Appendix}
\section{Advanced Customization}
\begin{frame}[fragile]{Advanced: NU Brand Fonts (Bundled)}
Northwestern affiliates can use the official brand fonts --- \textbf{Campton} (headings) and \textbf{Akkurat Pro} (body). These are proprietary; obtain them from \href{https://www.northwestern.edu/brand/visual-identity/typography/}{\texttt{northwestern.edu/brand}}. Bundle the OTF files in a \texttt{fonts/} folder and use:
\scriptsize
\begin{verbatim}
\usetheme[font=nu]{wildcat}
\end{verbatim}
\begin{verbatim}
your-presentation/
your-slides.tex
fonts/
Campton/
Campton Medium.otf Campton Light.otf
Akkurat/
AkkuratProLight-Regular.otf AkkuratProLight-Italic.otf
AkkuratPro-Regular.otf AkkuratPro-Bold.otf
\end{verbatim}
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}[fragile]{Advanced: NU Brand Fonts (System-Installed)}
If Campton and Akkurat Pro are already installed as system fonts (visible in Word, etc.), no \texttt{fonts/} folder is needed. Use:
\scriptsize
\begin{verbatim}
\usetheme[font=installed]{wildcat}
\end{verbatim}
\normalsize
fontspec loads the fonts directly from the OS font registry — no \texttt{fonts/} folder needed. This is convenient for local compilation, but won't work on Overleaf or when sharing with collaborators who don't have the fonts installed. In those cases, use \texttt{font=nu} with bundled OTF files as described on the previous slide.
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}[fragile]{Advanced: Fine-Grained Color Control}
The auto-generated shades are a good starting point, but for precise brand colors you can override individual shades manually. Redefine any of the \texttt{wcprimary*} colors \textit{after} \texttt{\textbackslash usetheme}:
\scriptsize
\begin{verbatim}
\usetheme{wildcat} % or with color= option
\definecolor{wcprimary}{RGB}{0,53,107} % Yale Blue
\definecolor{wcprimary140}{RGB}{0, 34, 70}
\definecolor{wcprimary130}{RGB}{0, 40, 80}
\definecolor{wcprimary120}{RGB}{0, 45, 91}
\definecolor{wcprimary110}{RGB}{0, 50, 102}
\definecolor{wcprimary40}{RGB}{153, 174, 196}
\definecolor{wcprimary30}{RGB}{179, 194, 211}
\definecolor{wcprimary20}{RGB}{204, 215, 225}
\definecolor{wcprimary10}{RGB}{230, 235, 240}
\end{verbatim}
\normalsize
Only the shades actually used by the theme need redefining: \texttt{wcprimary10}–\texttt{40} (block bodies) and \texttt{wcprimary110}–\texttt{140} (facet pattern segments).
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}[fragile]{Advanced: Custom Background Pattern (I)}
To create your own pattern, define a command that draws TikZ commands filling the slide. The command should take one argument — the color — so that the theme can reuse it in different contexts. Here is a minimal example:
\scriptsize
\begin{verbatim}
\newcommand{\mypattern}[1]{
\fill[color=#1] (0,0) rectangle (\paperwidth,\paperheight);
}
\end{verbatim}
\normalsize
The pattern command is called inside a \texttt{tikzpicture} environment whose bounding box already covers the full slide, so you only need to provide the drawing commands — no \texttt{\textbackslash begin\{tikzpicture\}} wrapper is needed.
\\ ~ \\
Any valid TikZ commands work. The built-in patterns each take one color argument and use \texttt{\textbackslash paperwidth} / \texttt{\textbackslash paperheight} to scale to the slide dimensions automatically.
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}[fragile]{Advanced: Custom Background Pattern (II)}
Once your pattern command is defined, register it with the theme using two lines in your preamble \textit{after} \texttt{\textbackslash usetheme\{wildcat\}}:
\scriptsize
\begin{verbatim}
\renewcommand{\bgpattern}{\mypattern{wcprimary}}
\renewcommand{\bgpatternblock}[1]{\mypattern{#1}}
\end{verbatim}
\normalsize
Two commands are needed because the theme uses the pattern in two different ways:
\begin{itemize}
\item \texttt{\textbackslash bgpattern} — title page, section slides, and standout frames. The color is fixed, so you bake it in when registering.
\item \texttt{\textbackslash bgpatternblock\{color\}} — pattern block headers (\texttt{tblock}, \texttt{talert}, \texttt{texample}, \texttt{tpatternbox}), where each block supplies its own color at render time.
\end{itemize}
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}{Advanced: Custom Background Pattern (III)}
The 12 built-in pattern definitions in \texttt{beamerinnerthemewildcat.sty} (lines 31–386) are a useful reference and starting point.
\\ ~ \\
\texttt{\textbackslash bgpatternplain} (line 384) is the simplest — a single \texttt{\textbackslash fill} command — and is a good template to copy and modify. The other patterns show progressively more complex TikZ techniques: coordinate scaling, \texttt{\textbackslash foreach} loops, random seeds, scopes, and drop shadows.
\\ ~ \\
The \texttt{\textbackslash bgpatternblock} variant used in \texttt{tblock} headers is typically identical to \texttt{\textbackslash bgpattern}, just registered separately so the theme can pass the block's color through as an argument.
\end{frame}
\begin{frame}[fragile]{Advanced: Community Background Patterns}
A pattern template and example patterns are available in the \texttt{bg-gallery/} folder. To use one, add a single \texttt{\textbackslash input} line to your preamble \textit{after} \texttt{\textbackslash usetheme\{wildcat\}}:
\scriptsize
\begin{verbatim}
\usetheme{wildcat}
\input{bg-gallery/bg-template} % swap in any pattern file
\end{verbatim}
\normalsize
Use \texttt{\textbackslash input\{\}}, not \texttt{\textbackslash include\{\}} — pattern commands must be set in the preamble, and \texttt{\textbackslash include} only works in the document body.
\\ ~ \\
\textbf{Want to contribute?} Copy \texttt{bg-gallery/bg-template.tex}, replace the drawing commands with your own TikZ, and open a pull request at \href{https://github.com/aarondwolf/wildcat}{\texttt{github.com/aarondwolf/wildcat}}. Community patterns are welcome!
\end{frame}
\end{document}
