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How to Use Contrast to Improve Your Graphic Designs
This one principle can help you draw readers in
By Jacci Howard Bear Jacci Howard Bear Writer A graphic designer, writer, and artist who writes about and teaches print and web design. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 4, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Design Graphic Design Photoshop Animation & Video 3D Design What to Know
Size: Place two similar elements next to each other, but make one larger than the other. The larger one draws attention.Value: Use light and dark values of the same color. The further apart the values, the more the contrast.Color: Contrasting two colors draws attention to the element that stands out. This article explains several ways to use contrast to improve graphic designs. How to Use Contrast to Improve Your Graphic Designs
Contrast is a design principle that occurs when two visual elements are dramatically different. The greater the difference, the greater the contrast. Contrast gets your message across by emphasizing what's important and directing the reader's eye, aids in readability by making section headers stand out, and gets the reader's attention by adding interest to the page. You can create contrast in size, value, color, type, and other elements. Size
Placing two elements next to each other that are similar in every respect except the size is one way to bring in size contrast. It can be big and small images or big and small typefaces, for example. Leaving plenty of white space around a small object is another way to contrast size. Jose Luis Stephens/Getty Images Readers' sight will be drawn to larger items first, so enlarge the objects you want to emphasize. Value
The relative lightness or darkness of two elements can create a contrast in value. Whether with shades of gray or tints and shades of a single color, the further apart the values, the greater the contrast. Jose A. Bernat Bacete/Getty Images You can use more than one contrasting element together. For example, large, white text on a black background, followed by gray text on the same background combines value and size. Color
Use harmonizing, complementary, and opposite colors to create contrast. When you contrast colors, be careful with the value. Harmonizing colors (colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel) can appear washed out if there's not enough difference in value between them. Filograph/Getty Images Consider the effect on viewers when determining contrasting color pairs. For example, bright red and bright blue contrast but can cause eye strain when viewed together. Type
Use size, value, and color to create contrasting typographic treatments. Make certain words stand out more by using one of the following actions: Add bold or italics.Mix large type with small type.Combine serif with sans serif (non-serif) type.Set portions of text in contrasting colors or varying values.Change type alignment or spacing.Use complementary, yet differing typestyles. seraficus/Getty Images Using typography strategically in your design is an art in itself. Learn the principles of combining typefaces, such as limiting the number of types to two or three. Other Contrasting Elements
Other elements that create contrast include texture, shape, alignment, direction, and movement. The key is to use a substantial difference. A font size change that's barely noticeable or colors that are too close in value may come across as a mistake rather than an attempt to provide emphasis or interest. PeopleImages/Getty Images Use your imagination to come up with additional ways to use contrast. For example: To offset tall, narrow columns of text, include wide or irregularly shaped photos.In a series of static images, add one showing movement.Make one element of a black-and-white photo pop by adding color to it. Contrast can be overdone. If everything contrasts highly with everything else, you end up with competing elements, which confuse, rather than help, the reader. So, be careful about how you put contrast to use. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Change Theme Colors in Google Slides How to Use Your Mac's Display Calibrator Assistant A Beginner's Guide to Contrasting Colors How to Use Canva An Introduction to Graphic Design How to Take Better Sunset Photos With an iPhone How to Make a Timeline on Google Slides Black and White Photography: Make Great B&W Pictures What Is the HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) Color Model? The Best Picture Settings for Samsung 4K TV HDR vs. 4K: What's the Difference? How Do I Design a Good Newsletter? Tips and Hints How to Use Crimson in Print and Web Design What Clashing Colors Means in Print Design Learn About Adjacent Colors on the Color Wheel Courses and Tutorials for DTP Training Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies