Color
Color plays a large role in identity management and helps provide a consistent and usable experience for everyone.
Illinois State's primary brand colors are digital adaptations of the colors identified in the
University Graphic Standards
. The secondary brand colors have also been adapted from print uses or identified as complementary to the primary brand colors in the digital realm.
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Brand Red #CC0000:
Chosen to match the brightness and vibrancy of red used on marketing materials produced by University Marketing and Communications.
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Brand White #FF0000:
Provides the best contrast as a background color for black text on a page or a text color for a dark, solid background. When white is used as a text color over more detailed or pattern backgrounds (like an image), the general rule is to include a text shadow to increase the color contrast for readability.
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Brand Black #000000:
This is the default color of text on a screen to provide the most readability and contrast for our users. Black can also be used as a strong secondary color in designs.
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Brand Secondary Yellow #F6A917:
This is adapted from the print version of "Reggie yellow", but adjusted to pass accessibility checks. This should be used in very limited quantities to avoid brand confusion with Iowa State University.
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Brand Secondary Blue #56758f:
This is the preferred secondary color in digital designs. The hue of blue was chosen to avoid visual vibration when next to the brand red, as well as passing accessibility checks for use on white or black. Our older templates have several hues of blue used; this version is meant to be a consistent middle ground for all the hues and will eventually replace them.
Accessibility
Color can be a barrier for some people. To help remove color barriers, ensure your colors are not used as the only method of information. Also, check the contrast between text and background colors. (See:
Color Accessibility)
Color Contrast Checker Tool