As a designer, you know that color is one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal. Color can evoke emotions, convey a message, and make your designs stand out from the crowd. And in 2023, the color trends are all about making a bold statement.
The color combinations for 2023 are vibrant, diverse, and unexpected. Designers are encouraged to mix and match different hues to create unique and eye-catching palettes that will capture the attention of their audience. Warm, earthy tones like terracotta, mustard yellow, and burnt orange are expected to be popular, bringing a sense of groundedness and comfort to designs.
On the other hand, cooler and more futuristic shades such as electric blue, neon green, and metallic silver are also set to take the design world by storm. These shades offer a sense of innovation and forward-thinking, perfect for designs that want to convey a sense of modernity and progress.
One of the key themes for 2023 color trends is contrast. Designers are encouraged to explore the interplay between light and dark shades, using contrasting colors to create a sense of depth and interest. For example, pairing a bold primary color with a muted pastel shade can create a unique contrast that is both striking and memorable.
Ultimately, the color combinations you choose will depend on the brand you’re designing for and the message you want to convey. But with so many exciting options to choose from, the possibilities are endless.
The color wheel is a tool that artists and designers use to help them understand the relationships between colors. It’s based on the concept that there are three primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. These colors are called “primary” because they cannot be created by mixing any other colors together.
When you mix two of the primary colors together, you get what’s called a “secondary” color. The three secondary colors are green (made by mixing blue and yellow), orange (made by mixing red and yellow), and purple (made by mixing red and blue).
Finally, when you mix a primary color with a secondary color, you get what’s called a “tertiary” color. There are six tertiary colors: yellow-green, blue-green, yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, and blue-purple.
The color wheel is usually divided into 12 sections, with each section representing one of the 12 basic colors. The three primary colors are spaced evenly around the wheel, with the secondary colors in between them. The tertiary colors are placed between the primary and secondary colors that were used to create them.
Understanding the color wheel and basic color theory is important for artists and designers because it allows them to create harmonious color combinations and to control the mood and atmosphere of their work. By using complementary colors (colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel) or analogous colors (colors that are next to each other on the color wheel), they can create visual interest and balance in their compositions.
One of the most commonly utilized color palettes is charcoal and yellow (or black and yellow), thanks to their sharp contrast and harmonious pairing. This combination is particularly effective for logo design or a branded product label.
Red and yellow is a bold and energetic color combination often used in the food industry for its appetizing qualities. It is also commonly used in warning signs and caution labels, and is popular in sports for its sense of strength and power. In Chinese culture, red and yellow are considered lucky colors and are often used in art, architecture, and fashion. The warm and cozy feeling created by this color combination makes it a popular choice in home decor and fashion.
The combination of black and orange can create a sense of mystery and excitement, making it a popular choice in advertising and marketing. The color combination is also commonly used in sports, particularly in teams and logos that want to convey a sense of power and aggression. In nature, black and orange are found in animals such as tigers and monarch butterflies, further adding to the bold and striking image of this color combination.
Beige, brown, and dark brown is a color combination that exudes warmth and earthiness. It is a versatile trio that can be used in both interior design and fashion.
Beige represents calmness and elegance, brown represents stability and comfort, and dark brown represents sophistication and depth.
This color combination is often used in home decor, particularly in bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms, as it creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
In fashion, this color combination can create a stylish and understated look, such as a beige sweater paired with dark brown pants and a brown leather jacket.
Overall, beige, brown, and dark brown is a popular and timeless color combination that is found in nature and can add a sense of connection with the natural world to design.
Plum and pink peach is a soft and sophisticated color combination that is often used in fashion and home decor. The combination of these two muted colors creates a sense of warmth and coziness, making it a popular choice in textiles and interior design. The color combination is often associated with femininity and elegance, and is commonly used in wedding color palettes. The soft and subtle nature of this color combination makes it a versatile choice that can be used in a variety of contexts, from fashion to home decor to graphic design.
Dark blue is often associated with stability, trustworthiness, and professionalism in graphic design. It is frequently used in corporate branding, financial institutions, and law firms. On the other hand, yellow is often used to convey optimism, happiness, and energy. It is commonly used in food and beverage branding, as well as in caution signs and advertisements. The contrast between dark blue and yellow can create a bold and striking design, making it a popular choice for high-impact designs
Forest green is a deep shade of green that evokes feelings of nature, growth, and stability. It is often used in branding for environmentally conscious companies, as well as in outdoor and adventure-related products. Moss green, on the other hand, is a lighter shade of green that is often associated with freshness, renewal, and harmony. It is commonly used in designs related to health and wellness, as well as in natural and organic products. Both forest and moss green are popular choices for designs that aim to convey a sense of calm, balance, and connection to the natural world.