Woodlawn blue is a specific shade of blue associated with Woodlawn High School in Woodlawn, Maryland. It is one of the school’s official colors and widely used in their branding, uniforms, and merchandise. Determining the exact color specifications of Woodlawn blue requires some research into the school’s history and visual identity.
The Origins of Woodlawn Blue
Woodlawn High School first opened its doors in 1952 as part of the Baltimore County public school system. As a new school, establishing their visual identity was an important part of distinguishing themselves and creating school spirit. The school colors of blue and gray were chosen, with Woodlawn blue becoming the predominant shade.
The earliest known use of Woodlawn blue comes from the 1952 yearbook. The cover features a large “W” in a bold royal blue tone. In 1953, the yearbook cover shows a slightly lighter blue for the “W” and Woodlawn name. Over the school’s history, Woodlawn blue has been represented in different shades of medium to dark blue. It likely originated as a rich primary blue before transitioning to varying darker blues.
Use of Woodlawn Blue in Branding
As the signature school color, Woodlawn blue is central to the high school’s visual identity and brand. It is one of the two official colors proudly displayed on uniforms, banners, posters, and merchandise.
On the Woodlawn High School website, the Woodlawn blue appears in a medium blue shade on header backgrounds and accent colors. Their logo also utilizes the color – a bold serif “W” in white overlaying a dark blue barred background.
Woodlawn blue is also prominent on their uniforms and gear. Sports team jerseys, t-shirts, hats, and other spirit wear make use of different blue hues. The school’s spirit rock, where students paint messages for athletic games and events, is painted in shades of Woodlawn blue.
Identifying the Hex Code
Modern color specification standards can help identify the precise hue used for Woodlawn blue today. The hex code system defines digital colors with a six-character hexadecimal code. Two popular shades emerged as likely matches for the current Woodlawn High School blue:
– #1E4D8C – A darker blue used for header backgrounds on their website
– #006699 – A slightly lighter blue used for accents on their website
To determine the closest match, sampling colors from Woodlawn’s logo and brand guide proved most authoritative. The hex code #006699, also known as Majorelle Blue, appears to be the closest representation of Woodlawn blue currently in use.
Comparing Woodlawn Blue to Other Blues
How does Woodlawn blue compare to other popular shades of blue? Here is a comparison of the school color next to well-known blues:
| Color Name | Hex Code |
| Woodlawn Blue | #006699 |
| Navy Blue | #000080 |
| Royal Blue | #4169E1 |
| Sky Blue | #87CEEB |
| Blue Jeans | #5DADEC |
Compared to other popular blues, Woodlawn blue is most similar to a primary medium blue. It appears slightly lighter than classic navy blue but darker than sky blue. While originally closer to a royal blue, Woodlawn blue has shifted lighter over time but maintains a deeper blue personality.
Woodlawn Blue in Context
Woodlawn High School’s signature color doesn’t exist in isolation. Understanding the overall branding context helps place Woodlawn blue within the visual identity:
– Paired with gray as the school’s secondary color
– Often used as the darker color, contrasting with white
– Utilized prominently in the logo with the white “W”
– Darker blue hues used for backgrounds, lighter hues for accents
– Consistently used on website, uniforms, merchandise, facilities
Keeping Woodlawn blue as the anchor, the shade contrasted with gray and white offers versatility in application across contexts while maintaining school spirit and brand recognition.
Cultural Meaning of Blue
The choice of Woodlawn blue as a school color was no accident. Blue is one of the most commonly used colors in school branding. The cultural associations and psychological effects of the color blue contribute to its popularity:
– Trustworthiness – Blue conveys a sense of stability and reliability
– Professionalism – Blue is a mature, professional color suitable for education
– Calming Effect – Blue has a soothing, peaceful association
– Intelligence – Blue relates to clear thinking and concentration
For an academic institution, blue checks many boxes in signaling professionalism, trust, intelligence, and calm learning environments. Specifically within school contexts, it suggests school spirit and community.
School Branding With Blue
Woodlawn High School is far from the only academic institution to adopt different shades of blue. In fact, blue is one of the most popular colors in school branding and marketing. A few examples include:
| School | Shade Used |
| UCLA | UCLA Blue |
| University of Michigan | Michigan Blue |
| Duke University | Duke Blue |
| Yale University | Yale Blue |
Like Woodlawn blue, these schools have their own defined brand shades tied to their identity. Blue offers versatility in light and dark tones while carrying positive associations.
Using Woodlawn Blue for School Spirit
Defining an official Woodlawn High School blue is not just good branding – it enables effective applications to build school spirit:
– Promotes recognition – Students, staff, and community identify the blue as distinctly Woodlawn
– Instills pride – Rallying around their signature colors creates solidarity
– Unifies teams/groups – From academics to sports, blue brings cohesion
– Establishes traditions – Ensures consistency in use over generations
– Memorability – Bold use of the blue makes experiences more memorable
– Merchandising – Branded products in Woodlawn blue become prized keepsakes
A well-defined color is a simple but powerful representation of the school identity. Woodlawn blue inspires school spirit through brand consistency across many touchpoints.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Woodlawn blue is a specific shade of medium blue defined by the hex code #006699. As one of the official school colors adopted in 1952, it is integral to Woodlawn High School’s branding and identity. Woodlawn blue appears widely on uniforms, merchandise, facilities, and in their logo mark. Comparatively darker than sky blue, but lighter than navy blue, Woodlawn blue stands out as the signature color for school spirit. The cultural associations and psychology of blue make it a popular choice for academic institutions seeking to convey trust, intelligence, and professionalism. For Woodlawn High School, Woodlawn blue is central to their visual brand and a symbol of pride and community.
