Four decisions
Each question shows the options side by side, with a recommendation. Use the switch in the corner to see everything in light and dark.
You are right: a slightly darker red feels richer and more serious, and it sits better next to the dark wine levels. Four shades, same white text.
Use Deep crimson #9B1C2E as the one brand red for buttons, labels, links and red panels. It is your site's existing crimson, so nothing feels new, and it is darker as you wanted.
Update the logo kit to the same red so the logo and the buttons match. Keep #B0232A only if you must match old printed material.
Try the switch in the corner. The rule that works: the same red fill in both modes, and a lighter red only for text on dark backgrounds, because dark red text on near-black is unreadable (2.3:1).
Applications open
Light: fill and text are both #9B1C2E
Applications open
Dark: same fill, text becomes #FF9AA3
Applications open
Applications open
Launch light-only, with the dark "levels" as the dark moments. That is what your site already does and it keeps the work focused. Add a full dark mode later using these same tokens.
When dark mode comes: same red fill (#9B1C2E), red text tint #FF9AA3, page #141110, cards #201B19. The levels stay exactly as they are.
You spotted it: in the old tile the title and the subtitle don't start on the same line, and the white text sits on a busy, bright area. The yellow dashed line shows the shared left edge.
Bottom-left, one shared left edge, 24px inset (the same as every card's padding), with a fade that is dark at the bottom and clear by halfway up.
Use the frosted panel only on large hero photos. Never centre text over a photo.
Your current site centres almost every section. Here is the same section three ways.
Step two
Two six-week courses, run in cohorts with a facilitator. Both are free.
Step two
Two six-week courses, run in cohorts with a facilitator. Both are free.
Step two
Two six-week courses, run in cohorts with a facilitator. Both are free.
Left-aligned by default, everywhere: heroes, section titles, cards, lists. Use the split layout for section intros on desktop (it becomes plain left-aligned on phones).
Centre only short, single moments: the newsletter sign-up, a closing call to action, a pull quote. Never centre paragraphs longer than two lines.
#9B1C2E Deep crimson for logo, buttons, labels and links.
Light first. Same red fill in dark mode later; text tint #FF9AA3 on dark.
Bottom-left, shared 24px edge, deep bottom fade. Frosted glass only on hero photos.
Left-aligned by default, split intros on desktop, centre only short single moments.