We’re black & white with a dash of colour.
Generally speaking, our brand is black and white. Once again, simple and fundamental. Our three primary colours are predominantly utilised as accent colours to highlight information, draw attention to something, or provide an interruption. As a rule of thumb, if you layout starts looking like a rainbow, you’ve probably gone too far.
Main brand colours
Black
#000000
RGB: 0/0/0
CMYK: 0/0/0/100
Pantone Process Black
White
#FFFFFF
RGB: 255/255/255
CMYK: 0/0/0/0
Black and white have always been our main brand colours and continue to be. Overall we tend to promote white space and avoid overuse of the black. Otherwise our communications can get a bit heavy and dark.
Primary colours
Blue
#3232E0
RGB: 50/50/224
CMYK: 100/76/0/9
Pantone 293
Red
#EB3232
RGB: 235/50/50
CMYK: 0/100/89/0
Pantone 185
Yellow
#FFCD00
RGB: 255/205/0
CMYK: 0/4/88/0
Pantone 115
Our three primary colours are predominantly utilised as accent colours to highlight information, draw attention to something, or provide an interruption.
Secondary colours
Purple
#881EE5
RGB: 136/30/229
CMYK: 82/100/0/0
Pantone 2597
Orange
#FA9926
RGB: 250/153/38
CMYK: 0/40/97/0
Pantone 1375
Green
#3CB937
RGB: 59/178/59
CMYK: 85/0/98/0
Pantone 354
In addition to our main brand and primary colours, we also have secondary colours. (These should only be used for data visualisation and illustrations.)
In order to provide more range, particularly for data visualisation, charts, graphs, and illustrations, our colours may be tinted or shaded. These should only be used sparingly. Where possible, the full-strength version of our colours should always be used.
Colour ratios
The chart above demonstrates an approximate ratio of our brand colours and how they should be applied. Black and white are our main brand colours, supported by grey, with our primary and secondary colours providing accents.
Colour use examples
Here is an example of our brand colours in use. White has the highest percentage, and along with black, it provides the backbone for the illustration. Grey is used for fill and form, while primary colours provide interruption and draw attention to specific elements like the woman in the car. The secondary colours are applied sparingly and used here to draw attention to two key elements.
Naturally, the volume of vibrancy can be turned up or down through colour. If a more subtle or monotone application is required, colour can be removed entirely. If a specific element needs to be highlighted, spot colour can be used. Or, if a more vibrant expression is required, more colour can be added.
Colour combinations
In order to keep all of our material accessible and on brand, this chart demonstrates which colour combinations work well, and which should be avoided.
We have a very simple rule for applying colour combinations. Don’t put colour on colour.
If on a coloured background always use black or white text, and select the one which provides the greatest contrast.
If you’re colouring text, it must sit on either a white or black background. Once again, select the one which provides the greatest contrast.
Colour application
A good presentation should look somewhat like this.
Generally speaking:
1. Black slides for covers, section breakers and closing slides.
2. Grey slides for the more technical / administrative sections.
3. White slides are generally used for the main content.
4. Colour slides should be used sparingly to highlight key parts of your presentation.
Colour misuse
And this is what your presentation should not look like.
1. Try not to overuse colour.
2. The secondary colours, (orange, green and purple) should only be used in graphs, charts and illustrations. They should not be used for general content.
3. Our key branded slides, such as covers, closing slides and breakers should be reserved for black and white – our main brand colours.
4. Do not use shades or tints of
colours for backgrounds.
