Consider the Idiosyncrasies of Color Contrast

Color combinations are probably the most difficult design elements to manage. (Indeed, black and white photographers remove this element entirely, leaving only surface elements such as tone, contrast and shading.) On this page, color has been minimized, and the central design consideration is mostly one of balance. The difficulty with color is that individual choices may appear changed when contrasted with the other colors of a design. Trial and error is inevitable when choosing colors, and designers often work with books of "working" combinations that help to simplify the process. As a basis, however, an understanding of the psychological idiosyncrasies associated with color combinations is essential for creating well-considered overall designs. A few are illustrated on the following pages.