Complementary colors are color pairs that are opposite each other on the color wheel. When placed side-by-side, complementary colors create high contrast and make each other appear more vibrant. There are 3 main types of complementary color pairs:
Primary Complementary Colors
The primary complementary colors are red and green, blue and orange, and yellow and purple. These are colors directly across from each other on the 12-part color wheel.
Red and green are classic complementary colors. Red has a warming effect and evokes feelings of excitement and intensity. Green has a cooling effect and evokes feelings of renewal and nature. When combined, red and green complement each other to create a high-impact, vibrant look.
| Red | Green |
|---|---|
| Warming effect | Cooling effect |
| Excitement, intensity | Renewal, nature |
Blue and orange are bold complementary colors. Blue has a calming effect and evokes feelings of trust and stability. Orange has an energizing effect and evokes feelings of enthusiasm and adventure. Together, blue and orange create an eye-catching, high-energy color combination.
| Blue | Orange |
|---|---|
| Calming effect | Energizing effect |
| Trust, stability | Enthusiasm, adventure |
Yellow and purple are complementary colors with both warm and cool properties. Yellow is cheerful and optimistic. Purple is mystical and imaginative. When paired, these colors balance each other out while creating enough contrast to make designs pop.
| Yellow | Purple |
|---|---|
| Cheerful, optimistic | Mystical, imaginative |
The primary complementary color pairs deliver strong visual contrast and vibrancy. They are go-to color combinations for creating eye-catching designs.
Analogous Complementary Colors
Analogous complementary colors use hues that are next to each other on the color wheel. Examples include:
– Red and blue-green
– Yellow-orange and blue-violet
– Yellow-green and red-violet
These color pairs offer less contrast than primary complements but have a pleasant, harmonious look. The analogous complements are less jarring and draw the eye smoothly across a design.
Some key analogous complementary color pairs include:
| Color 1 | Color 2 |
|---|---|
| Red | Blue-green |
| Yellow-orange | Blue-violet |
| Yellow-green | Red-violet |
Analogous complementary colors work well in gradient backgrounds. They also allow more flexibility when putting together palettes as multiple hues can be pulled from each side of the color wheel.
Split Complementary Colors
The split complementary color scheme uses a base color plus the two colors adjacent to its complement. For example:
– Red, yellow-green, blue-green
– Orange, blue-violet, blue-green
– Purple, yellow-orange, yellow
This creates a three color palette with more nuance than using direct complements. It provides strong visual contrast while expanding the color options.
| Base Color | Split Complements |
|---|---|
| Red | Yellow-green, blue-green |
| Orange | Blue-violet, blue-green |
| Purple | Yellow-orange, yellow |
The split complementary scheme is commonly used in designs where a wider palette is needed. It offers versatility for highlighting different elements while retaining harmony.
Uses of Complementary Colors
Complementary colors are useful for:
– Creating visual contrast – Complementary colors naturally draw the eye by creating vibrancy. This makes them useful for call-to-action buttons or highlighting important elements.
– Communicating meaning – Since color has an emotional impact, complements can be strategically used to convey ideas. For example, red and green gives a bold, Christmas-y look.
– Color theory experiments – Testing color combinations helps develop an intuition for using color. Complements provide a basic starting point.
– Mixing paints – Mixing complementary colors yields a neutralized, brownish-gray. This is useful for darkening colors without dulling their saturation.
Some ways to use complementary colors:
| Use Case | Example Pairing |
|---|---|
| Graphic design | Blue and orange logo |
| Digital design | Red call-to-action button on green background |
| Painting | Purple shadows on yellow shapes |
| Interior design | Blue-green and red-violet furniture |
Complementary colors should be used in moderation to avoid becoming overwhelming or clashing. But when applied effectively, they can take designs to the next level.
Tips for Using Complementary Colors
– Use one color as dominant and the other as an accent – Let one color take center stage and add splashes of the complement strategically.
– Vary saturation and brightness – Softer hues create a more subtle, sophisticated look compared to their vivid counterparts.
– Add a neutral third color – Greys, blacks, whites, and browns tone down high-impact complements.
– Avoid using complements for large backgrounds – This tends to strain the eyes. Use sporadic complementary accents instead.
– Watch proportions – Equal amounts of complementary colors often clash. Adjust so one color visually weighs more.
– Use analogous pairs for gradation – Gradually transitioning through adjacent hues creates pleasant gradients with enough contrast.
Following these tips allows designers to harness the power of complementary colors while preventing garishness or visual confusion. A little planning goes a long way.
Color Psychology of Complementary Colors
Complementary color pairs elicit unique psychological and emotional responses:
| Color 1 | Color 2 | Psychological Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Green | Christmas-y, festive |
| Blue | Orange | Fun, playful |
| Yellow | Purple | Magical, spiritual |
These effects occur because of color associations people form from repeated exposure over time. When colors are paired as complements, their psychological effects get heightened. Designers can tap into these reactions to convey specific moods.
But color psychology also depends on personal experiences and cultural contexts. So complementary palettes may evoke personal meanings beyond their stereotypical associations. Good design incorporates room for individual interpretations.
Famous Uses of Complementary Colors
Many iconic logos and designs have leveraged complementary colors:
| Logo | Color Pairing |
|---|---|
| Target | Red and Green |
| Froot Loops | Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple |
| Dunkin Donuts | Orange and Pink |
| Milka Chocolate | Purple and Yellow |
Using complementary colors helped these brands create visual identities that stand out. The high contrast draws attention and makes the logos instantly recognizable.
Complementary colors also lent deeper symbolic meaning in some cases. For example, Target evokes Christmas and Froot Loops evokes a colorful “loop” through all the primary/secondary color pairs.
Conclusion
The three main types of complementary color schemes are:
– Primary complements – Color pairs opposite each other on the color wheel like red/green, blue/orange, yellow/purple
– Analogous complements – Adjacent colors like red/blue-green, yellow-orange/blue-violet
– Split complements – A color plus the two adjacent to its complement, like orange/blue-violet/blue-green
Complementary colors create high contrast and visual vibrancy. But they should be balanced with neutral colors and used thoughtfully to avoid clashing. When applied effectively, complementary palettes grab attention and imbue designs with symbolic meaning. They are a go-to tool for designers across all visual disciplines.
