primary colors
These colors represent UC Merced’s core identity and should be used prominently in branding materials.
These colors represent UC Merced’s core identity and should be used prominently in branding materials.
primary colors
overview
The UC Merced colors embrace the traditional colors of the University of California system – blue and gold. Our primary palette is the core of UC Merced and is inspired by our natural surroundings. The primary palette should always first be considered in design when choosing the color palette color for your project.
Secondary colors and extended shades have been developed to compliment and provide a range of flexibility in design. Please refer to the palette examples section for suggested combinations. These palettes include specs for printing (PMS/CMYK) and digital applications (RGB/HEX).
boomer Blue
CMYK 100 84 36 39 RGB 0 40 86 HEX 002856 PMS 295
Bobcat Gold
CMYK 16 31 100 0 RGB 218 169 0 HEX DAA900 PMS 110
boomer Blue
CMYK 100 84 36 39 RGB 0 40 86 HEX 002856 PMS 295
Bobcat Gold
CMYK 16 31 100 0 RGB 218 169 0 HEX DAA900 PMS 110
For embroidery, please use (Gold) Madeira Thread - 1792 and (Navy) Madeira Thread - 1967.
Secondary colors complement the primary palette and can be used for accents, backgrounds, and supporting elements. By keeping designs simple and cohesive, UC Merced’s brand identity remains strong, clear, and visually appealing.
secondary colors
Secondary colors complement the primary palette and can be used for accents, backgrounds, and supporting elements. By keeping designs simple and cohesive, UC Merced’s brand identity remains strong, clear, and visually appealing.
secondary colors
color usage and balance
To maintain a clean and professional appearance, it’s important to use colors intentionally:
- Colors with Purpose – Stick primarily to Boomer Blue and Bobcat Gold, using secondary colors sparingly for contrast and emphasis. Avoid incorporating more than three colors in a single layout unless absolutely necessary. Too many competing colors can distract from the message.
- Create Hierarchy – Use one dominant color, supported by a secondary color for accents, and a neutral (gray or white) for balance.
- Maintain Readability – Ensure text remains legible by using high-contrast color combinations, avoiding overly bright or clashing hues.
extended shades
UC Merced’s secondary colors and extended shades serve complimentary to Boomer Blue and Bobcat Gold. They provide flexibility in design while maintaining a cohesive and professional appearance. These shades should be used sparingly to add contrast, depth, and visual interest without overshadowing the primary brand colors. They are designed to create a balanced and cohesive look, offering enough contrast to differentiate sections or data points without overwhelming the viewer. Select muted tones or lighter/darker variations of the primary palette to ensure readability and accessibility.
Please refer to Palette Examples section for suggested combinations.
CMYK RGB HEX PMS 82 29 13 0 0 145 179 0091b3 632
CMYK RGB HEX 59 1 15 0 88 194 212 58c3d5
CMYK RGB HEX 10 0 2 0 227 243 226 e3f3f6
CMYK RGB HEX PMS 0 28 86 0 255 191 60 ffbf3c 136 C
CMYK RGB HEX 24 47 100 4 190 136 44 be882c
CMYK RGB HEX 3 7 15 0 246 233 215 f6e9d7
CMYK RGB HEX PMS 100 69 24 7 0 84 135 005487 7692 C
CMYK RGB HEX 87 53 31 9 42 104 136 2a6888
CMYK RGB HEX 65 25 21 0 103 160 183 67a0b7
CMYK RGB HEX PMS 64 15 100 2 107 164 58 6ba43a 7737 C
CMYK RGB HEX 76 41 100 37 57 90 42 395a2a
CMYK RGB HEX 19 0 44 0 211 229 166 d3e5a6
CMYK RGB HEX PMS 3 54 100 0 241 138 0 f18a00 144 C
CMYK RGB Hex 18 68 100 5 197 104 40 c56828
CMYK RGB HEX 0 17 29 0 254 215 180 fed7b4
CMYK RGB HEX PMS 38 1 17 0 153 217 217 99d9d9 324 C
CMYK RGB Hex 89 43 56 23 19 99 99 136363
CMYK RGB HEX 37 0 7 0 155 217 232 9bd9e8
CMYK 82 29 13 0 RGB 0 145 179 HEX 0091B3 PMS 632
CMYK 59 1 15 0 RGB 88 194 212 HEX 58C3D5
CMYK 10 0 2 0 RGB 227 243 226 HEX E3F3F6
CMYK 100 69 24 7 RGB 0 84 135 HEX 005487 PMS 7692 C
CMYK 87 53 31 9 RGB 42 104 136 HEX 2A6888
CMYK 65 25 21 0 RGB 103 160 183 HEX 67A0B7
CMYK 3 54 100 0 RGB 241 138 0 HEX F18A00 PMS 144 C
CMYK 18 68 100 5 RGB 197 104 40 HEX C56828
CMYK 0 17 29 0 RGB 254 215 180 HEX FED7B4
CMYK 0 28 86 0 RGB 255 191 60 HEX FFBF3C PMS 136 C
CMYK 24 47 100 4 RGB 190 136 44 HEX BE882C
CMYK 65 25 21 0 RGB 103 160 183 HEX F6E9D7
CMYK 64 15 100 2 RGB 107 164 58 HEX 6BA43A PMS 7737 C
CMYK 76 41 100 37 RGB 57 90 42 HEX 395A2A
CMYK 19 0 44 0 RGB 211 229 166 HEX D3E5A6
CMYK 38 1 17 0 RGB 153 217 217 HEX 99D9D9 PMS 324 C
CMYK 89 43 56 23 RGB 19 99 99 HEX 136363
CMYK 37 0 7 0 RGB 155 217 232 HEX 9BD9E8
Examples
Secondary colors and shades have been developed to compliment and provide a range of flexibility in design. Please refer to Palette Examples section for suggested combinations. These palettes include specs for printing (PMS/CMYK) and digital applications (RGB/HEX).
Palette examples
Secondary colors and shades have been developed to compliment and provide a range of flexibility in design. Please refer to Palette Examples section for suggested combinations. These palettes include specs for printing (PMS/CMYK) and digital applications (RGB/HEX).
grounding grays
Secondary colors and shades have been developed to compliment and provide a range of flexibility in design. Please refer to Palette Examples section for suggested combinations. These palettes include specs for printing (PMS/CMYK) and digital applications (RGB/HEX).
grounding grays
overview
Incorporating shades of gray and white as accent colors in the brand enhances versatility, readability, and professionalism while ensuring a balanced and timeless visual identity. These colors play a crucial role in reinforcing the brand's message and making a lasting impression.
versatility
Gray and white are neutral colors that complement a wide range of other colors. They can be used effectively across various applications, from digital media to print materials, without clashing with primary or secondary brand colors.
enhances readability
Using shades of gray and white can improve text readability and overall visual clarity. These colors provide a clean backdrop for typography and graphics, making content easier to read and understand.
creates balance
Using shades of gray and white can improve text readability and overall visual clarity. These colors provide a clean backdrop for typography and graphics, making content easier to read and understand.
CMYK RGB Hex 62 54 53 27 91 91 91 5b5b5b
CMYK RGB Hex 9 6 7 0 29 29 29 E5E5E5
CMYK RGB Hex 5 3 3 0 239 239 239 EFEFEF
overview
Incorporating shades of gray and white as accent colors in the brand enhances versatility, readability, and professionalism while ensuring a balanced and timeless visual identity. These colors play a crucial role in reinforcing the brand's message and making a lasting impression.
versatility
Gray and white are neutral colors that complement a wide range of other colors. They can be used effectively across various applications, from digital media to print materials, without clashing with primary or secondary brand colors.
enhances readability
Using shades of gray and white can improve text readability and overall visual clarity. These colors provide a clean backdrop for typography and graphics, making content easier to read and understand.
creates balance
Using shades of gray and white can improve text readability and overall visual clarity. These colors provide a clean backdrop for typography and graphics, making content easier to read and understand.
CMYK RGB Hex 62 54 53 27 91 91 91 5b5b5b
CMYK RGB Hex 9 6 7 0 29 29 29 E5E5E5
CMYK RGB Hex 5 3 3 0 239 239 239 EFEFEF
overview
Incorporating shades of gray and white as accent colors in the brand enhances versatility, readability, and professionalism while ensuring a balanced and timeless visual identity. These colors play a crucial role in reinforcing the brand's message and making a lasting impression.
versatility
Gray and white are neutral colors that complement a wide range of other colors. They can be used effectively across various applications, from digital media to print materials, without clashing with primary or secondary brand colors.
enhances readability
Using shades of gray and white can improve text readability and overall visual clarity. These colors provide a clean backdrop for typography and graphics, making content easier to read and understand.
creates balance
Using shades of gray and white can improve text readability and overall visual clarity. These colors provide a clean backdrop for typography and graphics, making content easier to read and understand.
CMYK 62 54 53 27 RGB 91 91 91 HEX 5B5B5B
CMYK 9 6 7 0 RGB 29 29 29 HEX E5E5E5
CMYK 5 3 3 0 RGB 239 239 239 HEX EFEFEF