Design

Category: Design

How to Identify Colors that Work Together

When identifying colors that work well together, you must first consider where the colors are going to be used. If setting up a logo, a banner, or a sign, the subject of focus needs to be identified and highlighted by color, design and font.

There are several categories of colors that create a “standard” set: Primary, secondary and tertiary.

Primary colors are the purest of hues: red, yellow and blue. Primaries cannot be mixed from any other colors.

Secondary colors are mixtures in equal amounts of primary colors. Red and yellow produce orange. Yellow and blue produce green. Blue and red produce purple.

Tertiary colors are mixtures of primary and secondary colors. Yellow and green produce yellow-green. Blue and green produce blue-green. Red and orange produce red-orange.

Color Wheel, by J. Arthur H. Hatt (The Colorist) {Public domain}, via Wikimedia Commons

When you want something to stand out, you can use “complementary” colors. “Split-complementary”, “double split complementary” and “triadic” colors as shown on a color wheel will work well also.

Complementary means that every color on the color wheel has a mate. Mates are opposites. Two colors that have nothing in common. Mixed together in equal amounts, complementary colors make a neutral gray.

Those of the same color family are referred to as “analogous”. These have a “family” resemblance, but radically different as they are alike in that they all have some of the same primary colors. For example: Yellow-green, green and blue-green all have some of the primary yellow in them.

The amount of color to use, the intensity and the value depends upon the purpose in mind. Whether you are making up a bouquet, a beaded bag, painting a billboard or a bedroom. All use high key and low key elements of color. You will always want to use colors that complement each other. Complementary colors go well together if a little of each is mixed with the other. Used at full strength, they tend to vibrate.

All in all, the subject of focus is at the heart of most uses of color. Eye appeal is generated mostly with color and is what makes everything come alive. Used correctly, color can be the thing that brings everything together.

If you need further assistance to identify colors that work together with your design or logo AllSportDesigns.com can help with our logo design services.