Color is an important design element that can be used to create visual interest, focus attention, and convey meaning in any visual medium. When colors with very different hues, values, and intensities are placed next to or near each other, this creates strong visual contrast. Using contrasting colors effectively is an important skill for designers in all fields including web design, graphic design, interior design, fashion, and more.
In web and graphic design, contrasting colors are often used to make key elements stand out, create emphasis, and direct the viewer’s attention. When used well, contrasting color schemes also create visual impact and vibrancy. However, contrasting colors need to be balanced and used judiciously to avoid visual discordance.
This article will provide an overview of how to use contrasting colors effectively in design, explain color theory concepts relevant to creating color contrast, provide examples of color schemes with strong contrast, and give tips for using contrasting colors in web and graphic design.
Using Complementary Colors for Contrast
Complementary colors are any two hues directly across from each other on the color wheel. Red and green, blue and orange, and purple and yellow are examples of complementary color pairs.
Complementary colors have the highest inherent contrast of any color combination. When placed next to each other, they create strong visual tension and high visibility. This makes complementary colors ideal for creating emphasis and drawing attention to important elements like headlines, call-to-action buttons, and key imagery.
However, large areas of high-contrast complementary colors can cause eye strain. It’s best to use complements together sparingly and look for ways to create balance. Using a darker or desaturated version of one of the hues helps soften the contrast.
Using Warm and Cool Colors
Warm and cool colors can also create high contrast when used together, though the contrast may be somewhat more subtle compared to complementary pairs. In general, warm colors like red, orange, and yellow have a more energetic and active feel. Cool colors like blue, green, and purple feel more calming and tranquil.
When you combine warm and cool colors, the temperature contrast draws attention and creates visual interest. For example, an orange clickable button on a blue background immediately draws the eye. This type of simple, strategic use of color temperature contrast helps direct attention.
Using a palette with a mix of warm and cool colors also creates a vibrant, energetic color scheme. Just be sure to balance the use of warm and cool hues, using slightly more of one temperature versus the other so the contrast doesn’t become chaotic.
Contrasting Light and Dark Colors
Colors that strongly contrast in lightness and darkness are another way to create high visual tension. Light colors like pale yellow, light blue, or white pop dramatically when placed on or next to dark colors like navy, black, or forest green. This contrast captures attention and creates defined separation between elements.
A mostly dark layout with key elements highlighted in white is a classic, high-contrast web design strategy. The strategic use of light colors draws the eye exactly where needed. Just be sure to follow accessibility guidelines and balance light and dark colors appropriately so text remains readable.
Using Contrasting Saturation
Colors with very different saturation levels also create strong contrast. Pairing a highly saturated, intense color with a muted, grayish tone results in noticeable contrast. Vibrant hues naturally draw the eye compared to dull, desaturated hues.
Using a highly saturated color, like a bright, intense red, strategically alongside mostly desaturated colors is an effective way to create emphasis. Just use the vivid color minimally to avoid overwhelming the palette.
Using Contrasting Textures
Contrasting visual textures is another way to create separation and high contrast. Pairing a smooth, flat color with a textured pattern creates definition. Matte and glossy textures also contrast strongly.
In web design, using a textured background image with flat, solid colors overlaid on top helps make text and other elements stand out distinctly. Differentiating navigation links or call-to-action buttons with glossy glass-like textures also makes them pop.
Color Contrast Considerations
When using strongly contrasting colors in design, keep these tips in mind:
– Focus on strategically using contrast to create emphasis rather thancontrasting colors throughout. High contrast everywhere causes visual chaos.
– Make sure contrasting text and background colors meet minimum accessibility color contrast ratios for readability.
– Avoid contrasting colors that culturally signify opposites or conflict, like red and green or orange and blue.
– Don’t solely rely on color contrast for meaning. Also use stylistic contrasts like size, font weight, proximity, and more.
– Make sure primary action elements have enough contrast to draw attention quickly.
– Test contrasting color schemes with users to identify strain or visibility issues.
Sample Color Scheme with Strong Contrasts
Here is an example triadic color scheme that incorporates several types of color contrast for vibrancy and visual interest:
| Forest Green | Yellow | Blue |
This color scheme includes:
– Complementary contrast between the yellow and blue
– Warm and cool contrast between the warm green and yellow versus the cool blue
– Contrast between the brighter, lighter yellow against the darker green and blue
– Contrast between the highly saturated yellow against the more muted blue and green
Used together throughout a design, these colors would create noticeable contrast and visual excitement while remaining balanced enough to avoid clashing.
Strategically Using Contrast in Web Design
When using contrasting colors in a website or app interface, be intentional about strategically applying color contrast to create emphasis and direct attention. Here are some examples:
– Make clickable interface elements like buttons pop with contrasting colors. For example, orange buttons on a blue background.
– Use a contrasting color for headings and subheadings to make them stand out on the page.
– Use light background blocks of color behind dark text to create separation and improve readability.
– Use varying saturation levels to differentiate navigation and content areas.
– Use contrasting colors and textures to visually differentiate sections and elements.
– Make sure the contrast between text and background colors meets WCAG 2.0 minimum color contrast ratios.
Tools for Creating Color Contrast
Several online tools can help you easily create, preview, and test color schemes with strong contrast:
– Adobe Color CC – Create color wheels and explore complementary, triadic, and other color schemes
– Coolors – Generate high-contrast color palettes and export them as Sass, CSS, and more
– WebAIM Color Contrast Checker – Test the contrast ratio between two colors
– Contrast Grid – View colors with varying contrast ratios and lightness values
– ColorBox by Lyft Design – Mix, preview, and test color combinations for contrast and accessibility
Thoughtfully using contrasting colors is a fundamental design skill. With the right high-contrast color scheme, you can create visually engaging, functional designs that strengthen communication.
