Color is a powerful design element that can evoke emotions, set a mood, and attract attention. When used strategically, the right colors can make your designs visually appealing and memorable. But with so many hues to choose from, how do you know which ones have the most pop? Here we’ll examine popular color combinations and the science behind creating high contrast designs that grab people’s gaze.
Using complementary colors for maximum contrast
Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel, creating high visual contrast when paired together. This contrast attracts attention because the colors accentuate one another. Some examples of complementary color pairs include:
- Red and green
- Blue and orange
- Yellow and purple
When you place complementary colors side-by-side or overlap them, they intensify one another to create vibrant, eye-catching combinations. This effect stems from an optical phenomenon called simultaneous contrast, where our eyes exaggerate differences between colors seen together.
Research shows that we detect complementary color pairs faster than other color combinations. One study found people identified red-green and blue-yellow pairings more quickly than non-complementary hues. The high contrast between complements allows them to stand out, making them ideal for grabbing attention.
Using analogous colors for visual harmony
While complementary colors have immense pop, analogous color schemes promote visual harmony with their close relationships on the color wheel. Analogous colors sit directly next to each other, creating pleasant color progressions.
Some examples of analogous colors include:
- Red, red-orange, orange
- Yellow, yellow-green, green
- Blue, blue-violet, violet
Using analogous hues gives your design a cohesive sense of color flow while adding subtle interest through the gradual shifts in shade. The colors work together seamlessly to guide the viewer’s eye across the composition.
Studies suggest analogous color combinations improve processing speed compared to more disparate color schemes. We detect them quickly thanks to the colors’ close wavelengths of light. Just beware of using too many analogous hues, as the scheme can become dull without enough contrast.
Choosing a dominant color for emphasis
Using a dominant color is an impactful way to add visual weight and draw attention to a specific element. A dominant color will take up the most surface area or use a saturate, intense shade to stand out against complementary, analogous, or triadic colors.
Some examples of dominant colors include:
- A vivid red against various neutrals like black, white, and gray
- A saturated blue across the majority of a composition
- An intense yellow occupying the most space on a page
Research indicates that warm colors like red, orange, and yellow naturally draw more attention than cool blue, green, and purple hues. So using a warm color as your dominant shade is an easy way to grab interest. But you can make any color pop by dialing up its vibrancy and presence across your design.
Just ensure other accent colors have enough contrast against your dominant hue. If supporting colors are too dull, the composition will become imbalanced and difficult to parse visually.
Incorporating black and white for clarity
While not technically colors, black and white can add helpful contrast against brilliant hues. Their sharp difference from most colors creates strong visual punctuation, helping vital content stand out.
Some examples of using black and white include:
- Crisp white text over a vivid background
- High-contrast black typography against light colors
- Black and white accents to make brighter colors pop
Research indicates black text on a white background offers the highest readability, so this high contrast combination is perfect for your most important content. Black and white also provide helpful visual breaks from multi-color designs. Their simplicity balances more complex, energetic color schemes.
Using neon colors sparingly
When you want something to stand out, it’s hard to beat the eye-popping power of neon colors. These super bright, intense shades seem to vibrate off the page. Some examples of popular neon hues include:
- Electric lime green
- Radiant orchid
- Acid yellow
- Hot pink
Neon colors are fantastic for creating visual emphasis because our eyes are naturally drawn to light and luminosity. But their extreme vibrancy can be overstimulating when overused. It’s best to use neon accents sparingly against more neutral backgrounds.
Research on color and emotions suggests neon hues evoke fun, youthful feelings while also ramping up our excitability. So they’re perfect for grabbing attention in an energetic way, just be sure to apply them strategically so they don’t overwhelm.
Balancing warm and cool colors
Warm and cool colors can work together to create lively, vibrant designs. Warm hues like red, orange, and yellow stimulate the senses and evoke passion, happiness, and energy.
Cool shades of blue, green, and purple are more calming and relaxing. When combined on the color wheel, these two groups strike an engaging balance for the eyes.
Some examples of Warm and cool combinations include:
- Deep orange and light blue
- Bold red and seafoam green
- Pale yellow and lavender
Research indicates people prefer color combinations with a warm-cool balance. The contrast between the two color temperature groups adds visual interest. Warm shades attract attention while cool tones create orderly, soothing areas for the eyes to rest.
Aim for a 60-40 or 70-30 split between your warm and cool hues. Going equal halves can make your palette too dissonant and messy. Prioritize warm colors since they naturally draw the gaze first when used as accents.
Trying split complementary color schemes
Split complementary color palettes retain the high contrast of complementary colors while expanding the color variety. They include a base color, the direct complement, then the two hues adjacent to the complement.
Some split complementary schemes include:
- Orange, blue, blue-violet and blue-green
- Yellow, purple, red-purple and blue-purple
- Red, green, yellow-green and blue-green
Research shows people detect split complementary combinations rapidly thanks to the inclusion of direct complements. But the two extra hues provide more nuance and visual interest than standard complementary parings.
Aim for a split with one dominant color taking up 60-70% of space, then the complement and two extra hues as 10-20% accents. Make sure to vary saturation levels to create enough contrast between each color.
Using triadic color harmonies
Triadic color schemes use equidistant colors on the color wheel to form contrasting yet harmonious groups of three. These trios create vibrancy through their evenly spaced, balanced tension.
Some examples of triadic color combinations include:
- Red, yellow, blue
- Purple, orange, green
- Magenta, yellow-green, cyan
Research suggests the symmetry of triadic schemes elicits positive emotional responses in viewers. The colors have enough contrast to be stimulating while retaining harmonic unity when applied in equal proportions.
When using triadic palettes, let one color dominate at 60-70% then use the other two for accents. To create variety, be sure to alter the tint, tone, and shade within each of the three hues.
Picking colors that reflect brand personality
When designing for your own brand, choosing colors that align with your desired personality can help you connect with your target audience. Different hues evoke distinct impressions that you can strategically leverage.
Here are some examples of colors matched to brand personalities:
| Color | Personality |
|---|---|
| Red | Bold, energetic, passionate |
| Orange | Friendly, playful, informal |
| Yellow | Optimistic, cheerful, youthful |
| Green | Natural, peaceful, stable |
| Blue | Professional, trustworthy, secure |
| Purple | Creative, mystical, sophisticated |
Research on color psychology suggests bright, warm hues evoke excitement and enthusiasm, while cool, darker shades imply professionalism and luxury. But every brand has unique needs, so conduct competitor analysis and user testing to choose what resonates.
Aim for a primary and secondary color that aligns with your brand identity. Then build out supporting neutral, contrasting, and accent colors to complete your palette. Having an intentional strategy makes your colors more effective.
Using psychology to enhance color selection
Understanding color psychology principles allows you to choose impactful combinations that influence viewers’ emotions and behaviors. Different hues subtly prime our minds to respond in consistent ways.
Here are some key findings from research to consider when picking colors:
- Blue fosters creativity, red enhances attention to detail
- Cool tones are perceived as heavier than warm ones
- Dark colors make spaces feel smaller, lighter hues feel more open
- Red and yellow can make people hungry, blue can suppress appetite
These associations exist across cultures and demographics because of innate biological responses to different wavelengths of light. Leverage them to craft desired impressions based on your design goals.
Consider environmental factors as well. Darker, more saturated colors work best in bright environments. For dimmer settings, lighter and muted tones improve visibility.
Choosing shades accessible to color blind users
When selecting colors for your designs, it’s important to ensure that key information is distinguishable to those with color vision deficiencies. About 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women have some form of color blindness.
Here are some tips for picking color blind accessible hues:
- Avoid using only green and red together since they are indistinguishable for the most common type of color blindness.
- Use highly contrasting shades like vivid orange and cyan or dark purple and lime green.
- Don’t rely solely on color to convey meaning. Add symbols, patterns and typographic indicators.
- Check your palette with a color blindness simulator to identify problem color combinations.
With some strategic color tweaks and design considerations, you can create visually stunning designs that communicate effectively to every type of audience.
Conclusion
Certain colors clearly stand out more than others based on principles like complementary contrast, visual weight, and selective vibrancy. By understanding the science behind how our eyes perceive color, you can craft palettes with maximum visual impact.
A strategic use of dominant warm hues, vivid complementary pairs, and high contrast accents will allow your most important elements to pop off the page. Combine this with an understanding of color psychology and accessibility needs, and your color choices will check all the boxes for effective visual communication.
So be bold and make daring choices, but also balance excitement with harmony. With practice and experimentation, you’ll hone your designer intuition for picking the perfect pop of color.
