Color Guidelines

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COLOR PALETTE

COLOR
OVERVIEW
Our color palette is divided into
three groups: primary, secondary and
neutrals. Our primary palette should
always lead, while the secondary
and neutral palettes add depth and
Primary
support to our communications.

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Secondary

UNIVERSIT Y OF K ENTUCK Y JULY 2019


Neutrals
PRIMARY

COLOR
COLOR
PALETTE
Our primary palette consists of Coated Paper Uncoated Paper
Wildcat Blue and White. Our layouts When printing on most coated When printing on most
lean heavily on these colors, mixing stocks, on specially treated uncoated stocks, we adjust
uncoated paper, or on the CMYK formula of the
in the other palettes to build color
UV presses, use the Pantone color palette to achieve the
schemes that are complementary spot color or the CMYK best results. Use the specified
and balanced. formulas specified below. formula below.

Wildcat Blue Wildcat Blue


Uncoated
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CMYK 100 75 0 0
RGB 0 51 160
HEX 0033A0 CMYK 87 59 0 0

PMS 286 C PMS 286 U

White is an indispensable color. Rather than viewing white space as a

UNIVERSIT Y OF K ENTUCK Y JULY 2019


blank area, see it as a break. Don’t rush to fill it: it can focus attention
on what is there, rather than drawing attention to what isn’t. Always
balance color, typography and graphic elements with white space.

White
CMYK 0 0 0 0
RGB 255 255 255
HEX FFFFFF
Sky
SECONDARY

COLOR
CMYK 37 11 0 0

PALETTE
RGB 177 201 232
HEX B1C9E8
PMS 658

Wildcat Blue and White should


drive most marketing, campus and
alumni materials, but sometimes Midnight
other colors need to be used. CMYK 95 74 7 44
For those circumstances, we have RGB 27 54 93
HEX 1B365D
developed this secondary palette.
PMS 534

These colors are best suited for use


in internal communications, but Bluegrass
may certainly be used in long-form
communications where more colors
CMYK 78 30 0 0
RGB 30 138 255
Goldenrod
are needed for variety, infographics HEX 1E8AFF CMYK 0 11 80 0 92
PMS 2382 RGB 255 220 0
and icons. Large fields of these
HEX FFDC00
colors should be avoided, with the PMS 122
Bluegrass has a custom RGB
exception of Bluegrass. Be sure formula for maximum vibrancy in
Wildcat Blue is always the most digital applications.

prominent color. Use the RGB and hex values listed


above, instead of the default values

Under no circumstances should


associated with the Pantone color. Sunset
CMYK 0 51 55 0
any of these colors become the
RGB 255 163 96
predominant color for a school, HEX FFA360
center, institute or department. PMS 1635

UNIVERSIT Y OF K ENTUCK Y JULY 2019


River Green
CMYK 58 0 36 0
RGB 76 188 192
HEX 4CBCC0
PMS 7465
NEUTRAL

COLOR
PALETTE 20% Tint of
Warm Neutral Black
Neutral tones can be used to add
CMYK 0 0 0 100
depth, warmth, sophistication and RGB 0 0 0
richness to our communications. HEX 000000

Note, however, that White should


be used more frequently and
prominently than these neutrals.

While Black is a part of our palette,


it should be used as infrequently
as possible. We use it only for long
passages of body copy. Never use 60% Tint of 93
it as a primary color element.
Warm Neutral

UNIVERSIT Y OF K ENTUCK Y JULY 2019


Cool Neutral Warm Neutral
CMYK 0 0 0 15 CMYK 3 4 14 8
RGB 220 221 222 RGB 214 210 196
HEX DCDDDE HEX D6D2C4
PMS 7527
This color is Black at 15% tint.
COLOR

COLOR
GRADIENTS
Three color gradients are available
for use. They are pairings of Wildcat
Blue, Bluegrass, and Midnight.

WILDCAT BLUE WILDCAT BLUE MIDNIGHT

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BLUEGRASS MIDNIGHT BLUEGRASS

UNIVERSIT Y OF K ENTUCK Y JULY 2019


DIGITAL

COLOR
COLORS
Most people form their first RECOMMENDED TEXT COLORS
impression of us as a university
When choosing your text styles, use one of the colors below,
in the digital space. So it’s vital
or a combination. These colors will provide the best contrast
that our colors be consistent
on your white or light neutral background. Black text on a
and properly used in all
white background is always acceptable for body copy.
digital executions.

All digital color codes are included


on the palette pages.
Wildcat Blue
RGB 0 51 160
HEX 0033A0 95

CONTRAST IS KEY
Use caution when selecting colors for text and
general information. Contrast is critical for
maximum legibility — especially for meeting the
Black
Midnight
RGB
CMYK 27
0 0540 93
needs of disabled users. Check your contrast 100
HEX 1B365D
RGB 00 00 00
levels with the WAVE color contrast tool:
HEX 000000

webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker
Bluegrass

UNIVERSIT Y OF K ENTUCK Y JULY 2019


RGB 30 138 255
HEX 1E8AFF
USING OUR

COLOR
COLORS Formal

This chart is a guide for the mood


our brand colors can convey in our
communications and promotional
materials. Colors can range from
bold to subtle, or from informal
to formal.

Subtle

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Bold

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Casual
SAMPLE COLOR

COLOR
PALETTES
Use the sample palettes on this
page as a guide grouping and
distributing colors and gradients,
depending on the tone and
audience of each communication.

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UNIVERSIT Y OF K ENTUCK Y JULY 2019

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