So, how do you select the right color combinations for your brand? For your logo to your latest marketing campaign. You want to stand out from the competition. And appeal to your target audience.
The color principles stemming from the classic science of fine painting apply to both print and digital design.
Color Combinations That Will Surprise Your Audience
Most people understand the general idea of the color wheel. Red, yellow, and blue are the primary colors. Green, orange, and purple/violet are the secondary colors. However, there’s more to mixing these colors.
Being aware of the different color schemes boosts your color knowledge. It also makes your brand message stand out. Here are four color combination schemes that will surprise your audience:
1. Monochromatic Colors
Several shades of the same hue are known as monochromatic color combinations. This color scheme naturally streamlines your design. And establish a sense of order, unity, and harmony.
So select two or three shades of your brand color. And choose red for excitement or blue for tranquility. Start with a base shade that defines your brand and design. And complete your color scheme by selecting a color darker than the base shade. And one lighter than the base shade.
You may think that shades of the same color look boring. However, this simple color scheme makes your brand or campaign appear classic and approachable.
2. Complementary Color Combinations
Complementary colors are hues that sit opposite each other on the color wheel. So, when side by side on a design, they pop with a sharp appearance. While also complementing each other. Thus, they create a sharp but flattering contrast.
Examples of complementary colors include blue and orange, violet, and yellow. And even yellow-orange and blue-violet. Your other complementary color options include: red and green, yellow-green. And red-violet, and red-orange and blue-green.
3. Analogous Combinations
Analogous colors sit next to each other. The term “analogous” refers to the analogy or similarity between colors.
Analogous color combinations are made of three colors beside each other on the color wheel. The color in the middle is often known as the mother color because the two additional colors contain the center color.
You see analogous color combinations in the natural world all the time. Think about the fall season. Picture the yellows, oranges, and reds of the changing leaves. That’s an analogous color scheme!
So, can you think of another example? How about violet, red-violet, and red?
4. Triadic or Tetradic Color Combinations
Triadic, or tetradic, colors are evenly spaced on the color wheel. You can find them by using a triangle. You can also remember how to find triadic colors with the help of master painter, Marc Chagall. He stated, “All colors are the friends of their neighbors and the lovers of their opposites.”
The two main triadic color schemes are the primary colors red, blue, and yellow. And the secondary hues orange, purple and green. The latter gives bohemian vibes. However, more triadic color schemes exist, such as red-violet, yellow-orange, and blue-green.
Triadic colors create a sharp contrast and can be used for a dramatic effect. If you prefer less drama, though, choose more subdued tones of the color.
Use the 60-30-10 rule to get started. So, that means you should utilize your colors in 60% + 30% + 10% proportions. The formula works well. Because it moves the eyes comfortably from one focal point to the next, it’s also very simple to use: 60% is your dominant hue, 30% is the secondary color. And 10% is for the accent color.
So, when choosing color combinations, you set a mood, draw attention, or make a bold statement. And you can also use color to provoke, energize or cool down. By selecting the best color scheme, you cultivate a feeling of warmth, tranquility, or elegance.
Color is your most potent design element if you use it effectively. So, being able to use color combinations consciously and wisely helps you create surprising and appealing results for your audience.