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Color Guide

Decorative graphic for color guide

The Virginia Tech color palette has two layers: primary and secondary. Our primary palette will always include Chicago Maroon and Burnt Orange, supplemented by Yardline White and Hokie Stone as neutrals. These colors should be present in most marketing and communications materials. The secondary colors should be used sparingly as accents or to represent different moods.

Below are the tools and information you will need to make the right design choices and sample color palettes that can be used by sub-brands and programs to create visual distinction while still maintaining the integrity of the master brand.

Using Colors

It’s important to maintain a sense of hierarchy when using the Virginia Tech color palette. While our color system is flexible, be careful to exercise restraint. Unique and exciting color palettes can be created using as few as three or four colors.The following pages draw from the entire palette for effective color combinations. For print applications each sample is different, but maintains the character and emotion that characterize Virginia Tech. This isn’t meant to be a precise mathematical system, but is intended to give an idea of relative use. It’s also important to note that the primary palette plays a role in each sub-palette, even if it’s a minimal one. This chart is a guide for the mood each color conveys on a communications piece. Colors can range from formal to casual and from reserved to vibrant.

2 dimensional grid with 'reserved' and 'vibrant' on the ends of the x-axis and 'formal' to 'casual' on y-axis with the various fonta places on the plane according to their intended use.

Using color - Grid

Primary Palette

Secondary Palette


Brand color tool with extended palette


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