Branding and Breaking: Techniques for Dynamic Layouts

Secondary Brand Colors

Incorporating secondary brand colors into your website design can provide depth, variation, and create an engaging user experience. These colors complement the primary brand palette and subtly guide user interactions in impactful ways. Below, we explore how and when to use secondary brand colors, along with alternative methods to break up content effectively.

What and where are the U’s Brand Colors

The University of Utah’s current branding styles, including colors and various web specific items, are found on The Official University of Utah Brand Guidelines website. The branding colors are divided into two categories: primary and secondary.

The primary colors include:

• U Red (HEX #BE0000)
• Black (HEX #000000)
• White (HEX #FFFFFF)

The secondary colors include:

• Mountain Green (HEX #6CC24A)
• Great Salt Lake (HEX #3ABFC0)
• Wasatch Sunrise (HEX #FFB81D)
• Red Rocks (#890000)
• Granite Peak (HEX #708E99)
• Zion Cinder Cone (HEX #707271)
• Salt Flat Grey (HEX #E2E6E6).

How to use Secondary Brand Colors

Web Design Applications

• Highlighting Key Elements
  • Secondary colors are perfect for creating depth and variety in a page design without distracting from the core brand identity.
• Backgrounds and Visual Separation
  • Use secondary colors as background hues or to differentiate sections of a webpage. This creates a clean visual separation while ensuring the design remains cohesive and balanced.
• Visual Hierarchy
  • Secondary colors play a crucial role in establishing a visual hierarchy on your site. They guide users' attention to less critical but still important elements, such as secondary action buttons or supporting text.

Consistency across Platforms

To strengthen your brand identity, it’s important to apply secondary colors consistently across all digital touchpoints. This consistency not only reinforces your brand's presence but also allows creative flexibility across various contexts, whether on mobile, desktop, or different marketing campaigns.

When to use Secondary Brand Colors

Supporting Primary Colors

Secondary colors should complement the primary palette, adding depth and variety without detracting from the core brand identity. These tones are ideal for situations where primary colors dominate the design, but additional hues are needed to balance the overall aesthetic.

Differentiating Content

Secondary colors can be used to distinguish sections or elements within a design. For instance, use them for category indicators, headers, or footers on a website. This helps break up large blocks of content and creates a clear visual structure.

Special Campaigns or Seasonal Updates

Secondary color palettes can breathe new life into your brand, especially for specific campaigns or seasonal updates. This allows you to refresh the look of your site while maintaining consistency with your brand's identity.

Subtle Enhancements

Secondary colors are also great for less prominent elements, such as borders, icons, or illustrations. By incorporating these elements thoughtfully, you can add sophistication to your design without overwhelming the user’s experience.

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Breaking Up Content
Alternatives to Headings and Lines/Rules

While headings and lines/rules are essential for content organization, other effective techniques can break up content and create a more dynamic layout. Consider the following options:

• Visual Techniques
  • Color Usage: Implement secondary colors thoughtfully to differentiate content sections and highlight key areas.
  • Backgrounds: Use varying background colors or textures to break up content and create visual interest.
  • Callouts: Draw attention to important information by using callouts with contrasting colors or borders.
• Information Hierarchy
  • Use secondary colors or typography to create clear distinctions between primary and secondary content, enhancing the user's ability to navigate your site efficiently.
• Chunking
  • Group related content into smaller sections (chunks), using secondary colors to highlight the divisions and make the content easier to digest.
• Lists
  • Incorporate secondary colors for list elements to add visual interest while ensuring clarity.
• Typography Styles
  • Vary font styles (such as faux styles) or weights to differentiate content levels, making your design visually appealing and easy to follow.
• Assets
  • Integrate images, videos, icons, and graphics with secondary colors to visually engage users while complementing your design.

Best Web Practices

• Ensure all color choices, including secondary colors, meet accessibility standards for contrast and readability.
• Maintain consistency in color usage across all pages to support user navigation and brand recognition.
• Regularly test designs on various devices and browsers to ensure a seamless experience across platforms.

Conclusion

By strategically using secondary colors and breaking up content with thoughtful design choices, you can create a cohesive, dynamic user experience that aligns with your brand identity and enhances overall web usability.

Happy Designing!

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