A triad color scheme uses three colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel. This creates a vibrant and balanced color combination. The three colors will be the same distance apart on the color wheel, forming a triangle. Triad color schemes tend to be bold and bright but also have a good level of contrast. They are versatile schemes that work well in a variety of designs from logos and branding to websites and interior decor. When selecting a triad color palette, it’s important to choose three colors that work well together in tone and intensity. With some planning, triad color schemes can be eye-catching and memorable in any visual design.
Primary Colors
One popular type of triad color scheme uses the three primary colors – red, yellow and blue. These are spaced evenly around the 12 part color wheel, 120 degrees apart from each other. When combined, this creates a bright, playful and fun color palette. Primary color triads are vibrant but also balanced, using the three pigments that can’t be mixed from other colors. For example:
| Red | Yellow | Blue |
This is a very recognizable combination of colors that reminds people of childhood or popsicles and crayons. It has a youthful energy. Primary triads are good for designs that need high visibility and want to convey cheerfulness, creativity and approachability.
Secondary Colors
The secondary colors – purple, orange and green – can also be combined in a triad scheme. These sit between the primary colors on the color circle, spaced 120 degrees apart. For example:
| Purple | Orange | Green |
Secondary color triads have a less primary feeling than primary triads. The combination of purple, orange and green creates a more subtle and sophisticated mood than primary colors. It has an earthy, natural feel. Secondary triads work well for designs wanting to convey eco-friendliness, health, tranquility or wisdom. They have enough contrast to be striking but also blend well together.
Warm and Cool Colors
You can also create a triad with 2 warm colors and 1 cool color or vice versa. The contrast of warm and cool colors makes the palette more dynamic. For example:
| Red | Yellow | Blue |
This type of triad adds visual interest through the temperature contrast. Warm colors like red and yellow seem to jump forward on the page, while cool blue recedes. This makes the palette more vibrant. Warm/cool triads convey both energy and calm. They work for designs wanting to balance exciting and relaxing elements.
Analogous Colors
Not all triad palettes use colors spaced evenly around the color wheel. Analogous colors sit next to each other on the color wheel, sharing hue families. Analogous triads use one color as a base along with the two colors on either side of its complementary color. For example:
| Red | Red-violet | Red-orange |
This type of triad creates a very harmonious feel since the colors are closely related. It has less contrast than a traditional triad but more visual interest than a complementary palette. Analogous triads are excellent for conveying unity and flow. They work well for linear designs.
Split Complementary Colors
Split complementary triads use a base color along with the two colors on either side of its complementary color. For example:
| Yellow | Blue-violet | Red-violet |
This type of triad keeps some of the contrast of complementary colors but softens it by splitting the complement in two. It creates a varied palette with enough contrast to be vibrant but not jarring. Split complementary triads work great for bold, creative designs that still want some subtlety.
Near Complementary Colors
If a true complementary triad seems too intense, near complementaries are another option. These use a base color with the two colors closest to its complement on either side. For example:
| Orange | Blue-green | Blue-violet |
This type of triad decreases the contrast but maintains harmony. Near complementaries have a slightly more subdued look. They are excellent for conveying a relaxed mood in a design. Near complementaries work great in backgrounds and for blending.
Rectangle (Tetradic) Colors
Tetradic color schemes use four colors spaced evenly around the color wheel in a rectangular shape. You can extract a triad from the four colors. For example:
| Red | Green | Blue | Orange |
From this tetrad, you could use the triad of blue, red and orange. Tetradic palettes give you more options to work with. And even using just three of the colors creates nice contrast and harmony. Tetrads are very vibrant and work well in designs wanting a lot of color variety.
Square Colors
A square color scheme is similar to a tetradic one but instead of being spaced evenly, two sets of complementary colors are used. For example:
| Red | Green | Orange | Blue |
Again, you can pull a triad from this square palette, such as orange, green and blue. The dynamic of complementary pairs makes square schemes full of contrast. The triad also adds balance. Square palettes are great for designs wanting a bold, eye-catching color combination with visual tension.
Conclusion
When selecting a triad color scheme, the options are endless – you just need to pick three colors spaced in a triangular relationship. Some popular types include primary colors, secondary colors, warm/cool colors, analogous colors, complementary colors, and tetradic/square colors. Look for a triad that creates the mood you want. Vibrant primary and secondary triads convey energy and cheerfulness. Complementary triads have striking contrast. Analogous triads are harmonious and soothing. You can also customize a triad to have more or less contrast. Mastering triad color relationships gives you a versatile design tool that is endlessly adaptable.
