Yellow and green are two colors that are often used together in design. But do they actually contrast well? In this article, we’ll examine the color theory behind yellow and green, look at some examples of them used together, and provide tips for getting the right contrast between the two colors.
The Basics of Color Theory
According to traditional color theory, yellow and green are complementary colors. This means they are opposite each other on the color wheel. Complementary color combinations create high contrast and make each color stand out.
However, more modern color theory looks at colors in terms of hue, saturation, and brightness. When examined this way, yellow and green don’t offer as much inherent contrast since they are similar in hue and brightness.
Comparing Yellow and Green
Let’s take a closer look at the specific characteristics of yellow and green:
| Color | Hue | Saturation | Brightness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | 60° | High | High |
| Green | 120° | Moderate to High | Moderate to High |
As you can see, yellow and green are only 60 degrees apart on the color wheel. They are also both bright, saturated colors. This means they share more similarities than differences.
Examples of Yellow and Green Together
Despite their lack of inherent contrast, yellow and green are commonly paired together in design. Here are some examples:
- Sports team colors – Green Bay Packers, Oakland Athletics
- Corporate logos – John Deere, Spotify
- Home decor – Kitchens, children’s rooms
In most of these examples, the two colors are not placed right next to each other. Doing this would make them bleed together. Instead, contrast is created through value by lightening the green or darkening the yellow.
Tips for More Contrast
Here are some tips for getting enough contrast between yellow and green:
- Use a lighter yellow with a darker green, or vice versa. Play with value.
- Use a warm yellow with a cool green. Play with temperature.
- Use green as an accent color with yellow as the dominant color.
- Separate the colors with white space or black lines.
- Use yellow and green at lower saturation levels.
Ask yourself: is my goal for the two colors to contrast, harmonize, or something else? This will guide you in adjusting the hue, value, and saturation to get the relationship you want.
When to Use Caution
There are some instances where green and yellow should be used with caution:
- Small text – Insufficient contrast will make text hard to read
- Maps or data visualization – Colors may be hard to differentiate
- Rooms with green or yellow walls – Can become overwhelming
In these cases, add plenty of neutral whites and grays to create separation between the colors. Or, consider using one as an accent color instead of both equally.
Examples of Green and Yellow with Good Contrast
When designed well, green and yellow can play nicely together. Here are some examples with good contrast:
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| Complementary colors with white space | Lighter green text pops on yellow |
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| Smaller shapes help differentiate | Dark green stands out against light yellow |
As you can see, adding variations in saturation, value, spacing, and sizing can all create a contrast between yellow and green.
Conclusion
In summary, yellow and green have similarities that make high inherent contrast difficult. But with careful design considerations like value, temperature, dominance, spacing, and size variations, they can be used together effectively. Evaluate the needs of your project and use color thoughtfully to create the look, feel, and functionality you want.
The Takeaway
While yellow and green are not as inherently contrasting as some other color combinations, there are many ways to create and control contrast between them. With an understanding of color theory and some strategic design moves, yellow and green can play nicely together in all types of applications.