Color
Green and white are UND’s collegiate school colors.
- Black and gray are used to accent our school colors.
- Pink, a founding school color, may be used for ceremonial purposes and to share the history of UND in its early years. Refer to the Founding Color Standards for further details.
- Orange is limited to the Eternal Flame as part of official logos.
UND Colors
Collegiate Colors
| Color | Pantone | CMYK | RGB | HEX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UND Green (primary) | 347 | 93 / 0 / 100 / 0 | 0 / 154 / 68 | #009A44 | |
| White | -- | 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 | 255 / 255 / 255 | #FFF |
Accent Colors
| Color | Pantone | CMYK | RGB | HEX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | Black | 0 / 0 / 0 / 100 | 0 / 0 / 0 | #000 | |
| UND Gray | 421 | 0/ 0 / 0 / 30 | 174 / 174 / 174 | #AEAEAE |
Founding Colors
Special use standards apply.
| Color | Pantone | CMYK | RGB | HEX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UND Green (primary) | 347 | 93 / 0 / 100 / 0 | 0 / 154 / 68 | #009A44 | |
| Prairie Rose Pink | 1895 | 0 / 30 / 2 / 0 | 245 / 182 / 205 | #F5B6CD |
Flame Color
Flame logo use only.
| Color | Pantone | CMYK | RGB | HEX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flame Orange | 165 | 0 / 70 / 100 / 0 | 255 / 103 / 31 | #FF671F |
Color Values
UND uses specific color values. It is important to use the correct color value for a particular use to maintain the visual impact of our brand colors.
- CMYK: For nearly all print work, you will use the CMYK values listed below for the most accurate brand color reproduction. Do not use RGB color values for print as it will reproduce too dark.
- Pantone (PMS): Also used in print work, PMS colors are based on the Pantone Matching System and used for spot-color applications such as one- or two-color printing.
- RGB and Hex: RGB and Hex values are only be used when reproducing brand colors for digital applications in RGB environments such as social media, digital signage or website design. If a CMYK graphic is used in a digital application, our green will display lime green instead of the proper UND green.
UND's School Color Story
In 1889, UND students chose green and pink as school colors, drawing inspiration from the prairie rose, which was suggestive of “our green prairies and rosy prospects.” In 1947, UND selected green and white as our collegiate colors, which remain today.
The legacy of our founding colors – green and pink – continues to be honored in meaningful ways.
How to Use Founding Colors
To properly celebrate our founding colors, prairie rose pink can be used with UND green when the following founding color standards are met:
- The historic meaning of our founding colors is referenced to build awareness and provide
education.
- References might include examples such as a student’s rosy prospects, the story of our founding colors, or nods to the prairie rose flower.
- Each use of prairie rose pink has strategic meaning.
- Strategic use examples include showing a prairie rose flower or using a pink heart when illustrating “I ‘heart’ UND”.
- The use of founding colors adheres to the usage percent of prairie rose pink by audience.
Founding Color Usage Percent by Audience
| Audience | Time Period | Prairie Rose Pink % |
|---|---|---|
| External | Any time before a student, faculty or staff’s orientation. | 0% |
| Internal: Transitional |
The period during which an individual is introduced to the story of UND’s school colors, beginning at their orientation and concluding after Homecoming Week. |
1-3% |
| Internal: Post Transitional |
After an individual is familiar with the story of our school colors – defined as post Homecoming. |
4-10% |
The sample palettes below illustrate how pink may be strategically introduced and gradually expanded as the internal audience becomes more integrated into campus life. These palettes are not exhaustive but serve as a visual guide to illustrate how prairie rose pink may increase from 0% up to a maximum of 10%. As shown in the palettes, prairie rose pink should never be equal to or greater than UND green.
Ways to Incorporate Founding Colors
Proper uses of founding colors celebrate the history of UND and our students’ rosy prospects. In all instances, the use of green and pink must adhere to the founding color standards.
Current ways UND celebrates our founding colors include:
- Share our school colors story and school flower with students at Orientation and Welcome Weekend.
- Celebrate green and pink at commencement (e.g., regalia, flags, balloons, flowers, etc.).
- Showcase art or environmental installations that include green and pink and describe the story of UND’s founding colors.
- Include pink in landscaping using plants, flowers and other accents, including proper use of the prairie rose.
- Provide opportunities for the incorporation of founding colors in retail, non-uniform
and student-focused apparel.
- Large event volunteer apparel (e.g., Welcome Weekend, Homecoming, The Big Event, etc.) must follow the founding color standards, including the usage percent. For example, pink can be included on a shirt worn by all and/or be the majority color of a subset of an order to designate a special group within the whole.
The following ideas are a few ways you can help celebrate the founding colors. Please contact identity@UND.edu for additional ideas, to discuss options not listed and for use approval. Please reach out for approval with enough lead time for adjustments.
- Add the correct ratio of prairie rose pink items (e.g., balloons, flowers, napkins, flags, etc.) into non-permanent décor for internal events.
- Order the correct ratio of prairie rose pink promotional products (e.g., highlighters, pens, rose pins, etc.) for internal audiences as a supplement to other UND green, white, silver or black promotional items. Black is included to increase product options.
- Add the correct ratio of prairie rose pink items for your next internal event from UND Catering.
- Add the correct ratio of prairie rose pink in internal marketing and promotion of events and student activities that meet all founding color standards.
To strengthen our overall brand, pink is not approved for use in the following areas:
- UND logos (academic or athletic).
- Note: Student organization logos follow the UND Licensing Requirements for Student Organizations and have separate color standards.
- Non-retail clothing, such as official UND uniforms for employees and athletes.
- In conjunction with the UND Mascot, Athletics marks and teams.
- Club sport identities that incorporate approved UND trademarked logos.
- Official communications from UND departments and units.
- Building décor such as furnishings, upholstery, finishes, wall coverings, and other building décor that does not meet founding color standards.
- External marketing material in any medium.
- Internal marketing and promotion of events and student activities that do not meet the founding color standards of use.
UND’s founding color standards do not limit the strategic use of pink to support breast cancer awareness, International Pink Day, LGBTQ+ programming and other national holidays and awareness initiatives. When using pink to support awareness initiatives, all other UND brand standards — along with the initiative's brand and licensing requirements — must still be followed.
History of UND's School Colors
1889
In 1889, UND students chose green and pink as the school colors, drawing inspiration from the prairie rose, which was suggestive of the green prairies and UND students’ rosy prospects.
1907
Administration unofficially adopted black and gold as the school colors, since they were more commonly used by schools. Alumni voted 224-33 against changing the school colors.
1920s
The 1920s were the golden era of athletics, which enhanced the use and recognition of the university’s colors as green and white. Athletic officials, players and most students favored a change, and green and white were adopted as unofficial team colors.
1947
UND Athletic Board of Control ruled that UND’s colors would be a kelly-type green and white. At this time, the Athletic Board of Control — which consisted of the athletic director, three faculty, four students and one alumnus — was the ruling body that determined UND’s forward-facing identity as the Office of University Relations was not formed until 1968.
1983
Orange was introduced to UND’s color palette via the centennial celebration logo. A version of the centennial logo is still used today and includes an orange flame. Orange is not a school color and is not present in UND’s brand except for the flame in UND logos.
2000s
Before the 2000s, color was rarely used in printing due to cost and technological limitations. In 2002, a graphic identity standards manual was developed by the Office of University Relations and endorsed by the President’s cabinet. This guide, and an updated version from 2004, were the foundation for the current identity and brand guidelines stating that green and pink were rarely used outside of official or ceremonial applications. Instead, green, white and black were used as UND's colors.
2017-Present
UND regularly conducts brand health assessments to strengthen UND’s brand awareness, brand recognition as well as academic and athletic brand alignment. This includes the use of founding school colors and collegiate school colors.