PRIMARY AND ACCENT COLORS
PRIMARY COLORS
CSUN Red and Black are the “hero colors.” As such they should always play an important role on the page. Whether it’s highlighting the message or the most used color in a layout, these colors could be applied in various ways. Always use both colors for every audience and on all brand materials.
PANTONE 186 CMYK: 11 • 100 • 90 • 2
RGB: 208 • 13 • 45 HEX: # D22030
BLACK CMYK: 75 • 68 • 67 • 90
RGB: 0 • 0 • 0 HEX: # 000000
SECONDARY COLORS
You may use the secondary colors as background colors or “highlight” moments on a page. Pick and choose which colors work best for your layout. You do not need to use every secondary color on a spread. At times you may choose to not use any secondary colors. They are only to help with visibility on a page when red, black and white become too limiting.
TERTIARY COLORS
This palette is designed to only be used in subtle areas that complement the Primary CSUN Red and Black and secondary palette. Often only a small amount is needed and should never over power the primary palette. These colors often work good in overlay moments with photography or mixed in a gradient with the primary palette. Each color’s tint can be reduced to get the desired mix that works best with the Primary CSUN colors.
PANTONE 441
RGB: 253 • 191 • 86
CMYK: 26•16•20•0
HEX: # BEC6C3
COOL GRAY 6
RGB: 169 • 168 • 169
CMYK: 35•29•29•0
HEX: # A9A8A9
COOL GRAY 11
RGB: 85 • 86 • 90
CMYK: 65•57•52•29
HEX: # 55565A
PANTONE 136
RGB: 253 • 191 • 86
CMYK: 1 • 27 • 76 • 0
HEX: # FDBF56
PANTONE 7527
RGB: 216 • 210 • 196
CMYK: 15 • 13 • 21 • 0
HEX: # D8D2C4
PANTONE 7451
RGB: 146 • 161 • 205
CMYK: 43 • 31 • 2 • 0
HEX: # 92A1CD
PANTONE 2985
RGB: 44 • 165 • 218
CMYK: 71 • 18 • 1 • 0
HEX: # 2CA5DA
PANTONE 3252
RGB: 130 • 206 • 201
CMYK: 47 • 0 • 24 • 0
HEX: # 82CEC9
PANTONE 526
RGB: 91 • 76 • 147
CMYK: 77 • 82 • 9 • 1
HEX: # 5B4C93
SECONDARY ACCENT
The Accent Red is used to provide an added dimension to the CSUN Red. This Accent Red should only be used in support of the CSUN Red and should never be a dominant color.
PANTONE 7417
RGB: 231 • 74 • 55
CMYK: 4 • 86 • 86 • 1
HEX: # E74A37
CORRECT USAGE
If you would like, you may use as few as three colors, the primary CSUN red and black and a neutral color (or white). Using red as the main background color will help give your design the bold CSUN pride that it needs, especially applicable for undergrad, graduate and alumni audiences.
The color palette with athletics uses both primary and secondary reds as an overall gradient, which implies movement and pulse. The other secondary colors used are cream and tan, helping give it a warm, life-like quality.
Above is an example of using the primary colors as accent colors. The red rise arrow, paired with the secondary and tertiary palette, acts as an indicator to guide the reader towards the main message.
This example shows how a blending of the tertiary colors can serve as a basis for a layout and will allow for the main palette to stand out on top.INCORRECT USAGE
Do not tint or screen back the primary CSUN red. To ensure the message is clearly readable, avoid using tone on tone colors.
Do not use the old red (PMS 201) in the color palette. Avoid using it on anything from athletics to internal marketing materials.
The secondary and tertiary colors should only be used to support the primary CSUN palette. When creating layouts, establish the primary colors first, then when necessary, use the additional palettes.