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Define monochromatic colors


The Ultimate Guide To Monochromatic Colors In Graphic Design

“One can speak poetry just by arranging colors well.”
– Vincent Van Gogh

The burst of joy, the tone of seriousness, or a splash of personality, color is absolutely definitive in any design. The colors you pick for a design play a massive role in the final outcome. Color influences communication. If you know a thing or two about color psychology, you'll be familiar with how different colors are associated with particular meanings, and therefore the human brain associates them with particular feelings and ideas. Our color choices in art and design are a vital component in the process and end result.

Experimenting with a stack of different color techniques helps you become a more well-rounded artist and able to offer your clients a diverse range of options.

The more variety of skills and techniques you have under your belt, the deeper you’re able to go with your creation. So in case you haven’t experimented with a monochromatic color scheme, or you wish to take what you know about it further, keep reading because in this article we’re going to explore how you can get the most out of monochrome.

What Are Monochromatic Colors?

The Tate art museum defines monochrome as follows:

"Monochrome means one color, so in relation to art, a monochrome artwork is one that includes only one color."

That totally makes sense, especially when you break the meaning of the word down from its Greek roots:

However, it’s not as simple as “one color.” Designers will understand just how many varieties there are of a single color. Monochrome colors are all the varieties of a single hue - the tints, shades, and tones. A monochromatic color scheme will range between lighter and darker versions of the base color or hue. So before continuing, let’s catch up on some color theory.

Image Source: Wikimedia
Quick Catch Up On Color Theory

In case you need a refresher, or you’re totally new to this stuff, let’s establish some basics:

Hue - basically means “color. ” If you dive into the definition, you’ll find all kinds of technical color theory information like how the hue is the dominant wavelength in a color. Painters understand “hue” as the purest form of a pigment when dealing with paint color, so try and think of it like that - a pure color before it’s altered by shade, tint, and tone.

Tint - Makes a color lighter. Tints are created by adding white to a color.

Shade - Makes a color darker by adding black.

Tone - Refers to a color’s vibrance. They are changed by adding grey. A color with more grey will be a duller tone than the original color, while one with less grey will be a more saturated version of that color.

Image Source: Public Domain Pictures

On the color wheel, each segment represents the color family of a single hue. There are subtle differences between each variation of the hue, all of which would make up a monochromatic color palette.

When using this scheme for design, each of your elements will be a range of tints, shades, and tones based on one selected base color. Because there are variations for each hue, you are free to get creative and express in any way you choose with a monochrome scheme from bright and bold to cool and muted.

Tips And Ideas For Using A Monochromatic Color Scheme

Choosing Your Base Color

So you’ve decided to go with a monochromatic color palette for your design. But oh my, which hue do you use for the base color?

Remember that the rest of your color palette is going to be a variation of the base color, so it’s important that the hue you decide on is on-brand, on-fleek, or simply communicates the right message (remember what we said about color psychology?).

It depends on your communication objectives and the intended audience. If you’re simply dabbling in a creative project for yourself or your personal brand, you could go straight for your favorite color and play with the various shades and tones of that.

If you’re creating a graphic design or illustration for a brand, you might want to make the base color the same as that of the brand’s C.I. If you want to make a statement, choosing a memorable color such as something neon could work to your advantage, if you use it right.

Creating Your Color Palette

Monochromatic schemes usually consist of 3 to 7 variations in your one-color palette, made up of darker shades and lighter tints of the original color.

It’s always good to start any design project by experimenting. Digital graphic design tools such as Photoshop or Vectornator make it really easy to experiment and create a palette, simplifying the design process.

Play around with creating variations of your base color and narrow it down to the few you feel work best together. You might decide to combine a few monochrome variations with an extra color, perhaps even a complementary color, to add an extra layer of intrigue to your design.

If you’re new to design and need to learn about how to create a digital color palette with your design software, you can find plenty of helpful videos on YouTube such as the one below.

Brand Identity

Monochromatic design is perfect for creating visual cohesion. There are many design elements that go into creating a visual identity, but color will play a major role in defining the brand.

When choosing the color, you’ll start where anything in marketing starts - knowing your audience.  You’ve got to choose a color that will resonate with the intended audience as well as communicate what the brand stands for.

Applying a monochrome technique to brand identity is a great way to create unity and will make designing anything for the brand that much easier going forward as all the colors has already been chosen.

Create Vibrant, Bold Designs

You can have fun with bold colors such as neon or red in a monochromatic scheme.

The benefit of incorporating lighter tints and darker shades of a striking, bold color into a design is that you can make a statement without the design being overwhelming or too bright. The variety of shades and tints helps to balance out bolder colors, making your bright base hue function as an accent color.

Create Calming, Muted Designs

Neutral tones look oh-so chic together in a monochrome design. This type of scheme is fantastic for lifestyle brands and looks classy on social media.

A neutral color palette keeps a design simple, and brings a sense of peace and connection to nature. Various shades of beige and brown are gentle and calming, especially when combined with white. Darker shades of neutral can also be used to create a warm ambiance.

Make Your Illustration Irresistible

Monochromatic images are beautiful. This illustration takes just one color found in a sunset and enlivens it with ambiance by basing an entire illustration on a purple monochrome palette.

Sibi has used a range of tones in purple to bring depth to the artwork by creating the illusion of shadow and silhouette. Contrasted by lighter shades of purple, the monochrome image is perfectly dynamic by just using one color.

Play With Grayscale

There are tons of fun and sophisticated ways to incorporate grayscale into designs. You might refer to this as an achromatic color scheme, meaning that it is without color and purely made up of shades and tones. One technique you could try is combining an achromatic theme with a pop of color for a strong visual statement.

Ramius Aquiler plays with monochrome in grayscale by combining a pop of yellow. Bright and expressive colors contrasted against grey work beautifully together.

Grayscale can be cool, classy, and simple, and there are more variations than you’d think. You could add an undertone of beige, yellow or red to create variations of warmer grays or diversify your color options with a sharp contrast between black and white.

Going grayscale can be a good option for print projects, as it is much more affordable to print.

Produce Packaging That Pops

Monochrome color schemes make for some really inspiring packaging designs. This technique works particularly well when packaging products that come in a set. Each item can be differentiated by having its own variation from the color palette as seen below.

Going with a monochrome look in grayscale would be a suitable packaging solution for affordable printing.

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Use It In UI

You can use color as an innovative communication technique in UI design. Use variations of a color to show relationships or to differentiate segments on an interface. In the example seen below, variations of orange are used to communicate degrees of temperature. You can use color to cleverly communicate all kinds of things to make for an easy and pleasant user experience.

Use It For Simplicity

A monochrome palette is the perfect solution for honing the beauty of simplicity. It makes the design process itself simpler, as you don’t need to combine different colors, and it communicates simplicity to the eye. Even a bright and vibrant monochrome scheme is simple for the fact that there is no stark variation in color, offering a sense of unity that’s inherently uncomplicated and effortless.

Create Dynamic Photographs

There is so much fun to be had with monochromatic color photography, and overlays.

A monochromatic image is bound to stand out as an editorial design, on a poster, or on social media. You can combine a monochrome color scheme with photography by intentionally photographing a monochromatic scene, or in the editing phase by applying a tinted overlay on top of a photograph.

Image Source: FOODISM360 | Image Source: Willian Justen de Vasconcellos | Image Source: Adam Gonzales

Try Texture

By playing with texture, or the illusion of texture, you can create an entire design in just one color, without any variations, and still have something totally dynamic. Think embossing. Think patterns. Think 3D. There are plenty of ways to make an image interesting just by applying texture to minimal color.

Image Source: Jack B

Make Infographics Interesting

Infographic design has evolved exponentially in the last few years. Designers are getting really creative and making some gorgeous infographic designs.

There are even graphic design software tools that help non-designers easily create infographics too because they have become such a valuable piece of content. As a graphic designer, it will be worth your while to be able to produce captivating infographics. But even if you're not a trained designer, you too might need to create one at some stage in your job or studies.

Applying a monochromatic color scheme can make for a creative and engaging infographic that strikes the perfect balance between being interesting enough to draw the eye in whilst not distracting from the information itself.

The infographic below uses shades of blue to create variation and intrigue in its design.

Wrap Up

Whether it’s baby pink for a bubblegum brand, greyscale with blue accent color, or a range of dark shades in green to create a moody illustration, there are many ways to go with monochrome.

Hopefully, this article has given you some ideas for different techniques and styles so that you can try something new with your designs. If you’re just getting started or you’re a seasoned graphic designer looking for something fresh, be sure to try out our free vector design software.

What is a Monochromatic Color Scheme — Definition, Examples

Monochromatic Definition

Define monochromatic color scheme

A monochromatic color scheme can make for an exceptionally stylish look when applied to a film or a television show. When we think "colorful" imagery, we probably image many different colors. But there is plenty of variety within a single hue that can make equally dynamic and colorful images.

To learn more about the different types of color schemes at your disposal as a filmmaker, be sure to read our articles on complementary, analogous, and triadic color schemes as well.

MONOCHROMATIC COLOR SCHEME DEFINITION

What is a monochromatic color scheme?

A monochromatic color scheme is a color palette in which a single color tint is used as the basis for all shades and hues found within the image. The shade of color is varied by changes made to the saturation and/or brightness of the base color. White and black are always present as the two extremes on either end of the spectrum for whichever color is chosen for the monochromatic color scheme.

Monochromatic Scheme Characteristics

For the full explanation of color schemes and color theory, download our FREE ebook: How to Use Color in Film.

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How to Use Color in Film

Hue, saturation, brightness — the three elements of color that make all the difference. In this book, we'll explain the aesthetic qualities and psychology effects of using color in your images. Topics include color schemes like analogous and triadic colors and how color palettes can tell stories of their own.

Example of a monochromatic color scheme

What does a monochromatic color scheme look like?

Monochromatic color combinations can create a unified look for a piece of work. There is no limitation as far as choosing which color to build your monochromatic color scheme around. Any tint can be chosen as the base color for your color scheme, with its associated shades filling out the rest of your monochromatic colors.

All black and white films fall into the monochromatic category. Black and white are present at the extremes of each and every color, meaning solid black and white can be included in a monochromatic scheme built around any color. The various shades between black and white in the absence of other colors make up the grayscale look that black and white films employ.

Monochromatic color combinations begin with black and white

The word “monochromatic” derives from the root words “mono,” meaning one, and “chroma,” meaning color. It is important to keep in mind that while a monochromatic color scheme is built entirely around a single color, that does not mean that it is built around a single shade.

Varying the shades through changes to the brightness and saturation of the base color is key in providing an image with depth and visual appeal.

An example of a monochromatic color scheme in The Matrix

The Matrix is built around a monochromatic color scheme with green as the focus color, but you can find a great deal of variance within the values of green found in each frame.

The following video showcases a number of film color schemes and underscores the unifying characteristics of a monochromatic approach.

What are monochromatic colors?  •  Color psychology in film

Color has a massive impact on the way in which viewers perceive any given image. The impact can be aesthetic in nature but can often be a subconscious, psychological effect as well.

What are monochromatic colors?

Why use a mono color scheme?

The psychology of color can hold significant influence over the response to an image. Certain colors can evoke particular subconscious reactions when utilized properly. To understand this subconscious relationship and learn how to make the best use of these psychological effects in storytelling, we need an understanding of color theory.

A Ted Talk on the psychology of color

When utilizing colors for their psychological effects, a filmmaker can determine their own color associations as established within the film, or they can rely on the pre-established associations for particular colors. Whether you realize it or not, certain colors evoke certain psychological responses in the human brain at a subconscious level.

These pre-determined associations have been re-inforced throughout generations of storytelling for both the subconscious associations and for the thematic relevance. Refer to the helpful chart below for some of the most common responses associated with particular colors.

What are monochromatic colors?  •  The psychology of color visualized

The limits of color in storytelling are boundless. It is true that there are plenty of films that disregard color as a creative choice. Or they opt instead for a color scheme that purely represents our real-world and nothing more. There are also countless examples of excellent films which make color a key element of their overall style and meaning. This tribute to color in storytelling showcases the power of meaningful color scheme choices.

Consider the work of an auteur director like Wes Anderson. He uses color in a very interesting way — to balance sad characters and dark subjects with bright and saturated color palettes. For more, check out our video on this theory.

Our guide to the colors of Wes Anderson  •  Subscribe on YouTube

Be sure to pay color the attention it deserves when making your own movies. Our script breakdown software is a great tool for identifying all of the production design elements in a screenplay that can be geared toward a meaningful color scheme. You can get started for free today.

Monochromatic color scheme examples

Monochromatic color scheme examples

Now that we have a clear understanding of the what and why of monochromatic color schemes, let’s take a look at a few monochromatic color scheme examples in action in movies and TV shows.

As we saw earlier, Wes Anderson is a master of color palettes, and nowhere has he better utilized the monochromatic color scheme than in his 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel. For further analysis, check out our article on the color palettes of Wes Anderson.

Wes Anderson is a color palette master  •  What are monochromatic colors?

Denis Villeneuve is another modern master of the color palette. We have a full post all about how Denis Villeneuve crafts the color palettes of his films that you can check out for a more detailed breakdown of his color usage.

Villeneuve has covered the gamut of color schemes from bright and saturated in Blade Runner 2049 to grim and desaturated in Prisoners. But his most psychologically driven monochromatic color palette can be found in his 2014 thriller Enemy. The bold yellow color scheme of Enemy is a key part of the enveloping sense of dread Villeneuve crafted for the film.

A monochromatic color scheme contributes to the sense of dread

Zhang Yimou’s 2018 action, drama The Shadow features stunning cinematography with a bold black-and-white monochromatic color scheme despite not actually being shot in black and white. The Shadow is shot and presented in color but every single location, set, wardrobe choice, and production design element was carefully designed to match the black and white aesthetic of yin and yang.

See how the monochromatic color scheme of The Shadow was pulled off in the collection made using StudioBinder's storyboard creator below.

The Shadow’s gorgeous black and white style  •  See the full collection

Hero was another Zhang Yimou film that pushed the limits of a monochromatic color scheme to new heights. The film made use of multiple mono color schemes throughout its runtime, progressing through each color palette in accordance with the progression of the different chapters of the story. Each section of the film is assigned a specific monochromatic color scheme to best represent the themes and perspective of that specific segment.

Hero’s color segments

Another Netflix original series to feature a striking monochromatic color scheme is Ozark. Anyone who has seen Ozark instantly associates the show with the color blue. Everything, including the green foliage of the environment and the skin tones of the actors, is tinted blue.

Ozark is washed in blue

There are truly no limits when it comes to using color in bold and creative ways. Explore the thematic and psychological effects of color in your own film projects, and continue learning about color theory with the rest of our articles on color schemes.

UP NEXT

What is an Analogous Color Scheme?

Now that you can answer the question “what is a monochromatic color scheme,” continue your color education with our article all about analogous color schemes. A knowledge of both monochromatic and analogous color schemes is essential for any type of visual artist.

Up Next: Analogous Color Schemes →

What are Monochromatic Colors? Definition & Examples

You can say: well, your favorite color reminds you of your favorite place or makes you feel warm/inspired/happy.

Are there any colors that you don't like too well? Maybe yellow seems too acidic to you, and blue seems too cold and melancholy. The thing is, colors have a value of and most of us have one color that really speaks to our soul.

via GIPHY

This one color is often repeated in the products we buy, the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the way we decorate our rooms.

Colors can be combined in a huge number of combinations - using primary colors together (red + blue + yellow) or matching complementary colors with each other (e.g. green + red) .

You can also use similar colors together in the so-called similar to the color scheme (green + blue - green + blue) .

You can also use just one color in a design and this is called a monochromatic color scheme.

A monochromatic color scheme is a single color palette that includes dark hues or tones and a range of hues. Using this base color scheme makes a bold statement in any design, photography, interior or other visual scene..

Adding a strong color can evoke a lot of emotions in the viewer or app user.

Creating an image in one particular shade can be used to communicate a message or create a strong sense of order and uniformity.

What's in this article:

What are Monochromatic Colors? 🎨

Let's first define what we mean by "monochromatic".

"Monochromatic" is an adjective used to describe the use of one color - monos is Greek for "single" or "one" and khroma is "color".

So if you describe a painting or setting as having a monochromatic color scheme, you mean that it has one shade (or color) repeated in lighter shades, darker shades and/or grayer tones.

To understand how this works, let's delve into color theory .

What is Color Theory?

Modern color theory was born when Sir Isaac Newton published his various experiments with optical prisms and the discovery that white light exists from the seven visible colors of the rainbow, or the ROYGBIV model.

via GIPHY

Newton is also the inventor of the color wheel we use so much in art and design.

In the ancient world, Aristotle also shared his color theory : that all colors are rays of light sent from heaven in white or black and associated with the four elements (wind, earth, water, fire).

Today we know that Aristotle was not so far from the truth, as Newton's optical experiments with white light proved. However, scientifically speaking,0005 color is light, propagating at different wavelengths.

The reason we see different colors of light is because these wavelengths are in the visible spectrum (our eyes are sensitive to and stimulated by light at these wavelengths).

Each individual color is subdivided into a range of wavelengths and is called a hue, or monochromatic light.

Properties of Light

Color theory does not end there. The polymath Johann Wolfgang von Goethe carried out his own research on color, going beyond the purely scientific ideas of Newton. Goethe argued that color is not just a physical phenomenon; it is an individualized psychological and emotional experience .

Today, the study of the influence of colors on human experience and behavior is called color psychology.

Goethe's poetic interpretations of each color are still used today to help artists express emotion in their work, help website and app designers create visual cues, and inspire interior designers when select color schemes for homes and offices.

via GIPHY

Moreover, The emotional and psychological impact of color affects every aspect of life - from the clothes we wear to the food we eat and the things we buy.

Goethe associated colors with certain characteristics, namely:

GOOTHES COLERS) via Open Culture

The Cultural Relativity of Color

Although we are all basically able to perceive color in the same way, the interpretation of color is not universal.

Several studies of color names around the world have shown that certain cultural groups do not have generalized or abstract terms for specific colors.

In non-manufacturing regions (places where goods are not mass-produced) where you don't often see the same item in different colors (e.g. red T-shirt vs. blue T-shirt), colors have more than integral value, related with their application, context and the natural world.

For example, the inhabitants of the village of Kandoshi in Peru called a ripe fruit red if it lay on a ceramic surface, and if it was on the floor, then the word "blood".

Some cultures use the same word for green and blue . The Himba people of Namibia are very easy to distinguish between two different shades of green, but it is difficult to tell blue from green.

When the same study was repeated with the British, the opposite was found: it was difficult to distinguish lighter green from darker, but it was easy to point out difference between blue and green .

The Kandoshi people say " kawabana" for any color between green and purple, but use " kamachpa" for dark green.

Kamachpa is the word the kandoshi use to refer to unripe fruit, in other words the meaning of dark green color is interpreted according to something natural, seasonal and appropriate to their specific context .

In some languages ​​of Africa and Oceania, colors are described as "dark" and "light" , or by their texture, feel, or specific purpose.

In Europe there was no word for the orange color until the sweet orange fruit was introduced and popularized in the Middle Ages - before that Europeans spoke of "yellow-red" to describe the color!

There are also exceptions to how colors are perceived biologically.

People with color vision deficiency (colour blindness), do not have the full set of cones in the retina to be able to see all the colors that most people see. This applies to approximately 4% of the world's population.

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Color blindness types simulation. the bottle contains ketchup or mustard.

They learn to recognize subtleties in a limited spectrum, which they can perceive as different colors.

Another biological phenomenon that alters the perception of colors is synaesthesia.

Synesthesia is a condition with various manifestations, in which a person's sense organs are mixed, or rather, neural pathways, through which sensations are interpreted. In other words, a synesthete can hear colors, taste smells, feel sounds - or any combination of the senses.

The way synesthetes perceive the color is very different from those who do not suffer from this disease, so it makes sense that the colors would mean something completely different to them!

As you can see, the interpretation of color is both socio-cultural and biological, and can change over time. For example, today we use red and yellow to represent danger and warning, or error and urgency.

Red can also be associated with love, lust or bloodshed. In reality, it all comes down to the fact that we0005 are emotionally responsive to colors , and colors are used in design elements to draw attention and draw the eye.

We'll look at how to select and apply a monochrome color scheme later in this article!

Color Properties

In addition to the theories of color and cultural interpretations of color that we have already discussed, we talk about color as having certain properties. Color properties are especially useful for art and graphic design, where we need to be able to distinguish between an almost infinite range of colors.

These three properties help us describe colors: hue, chroma (or saturation) and value (or lightness) .

  1. Hue: name of a wavelength range or color family, eg blue, red, yellow. When applied to paint color, this also means the pure form or natural pigment of the color.
  2. Chroma (saturation): the degree of brightness or dullness of a color depending on the amount of gray added to it (hue). A heavily saturated color will have a pure hue, while a desaturated color will have a gray tone.
  3. Value (brightness): The degree of lightness or darkness of a color depending on the amount of white (tint) or black (shadow) added to it. A lightened color will look washed out, while a darkened one will look black.

So far we have learned about what colors are, how we perceive them and how they can be described. We will now look at a few examples of monochromatic colors and their variations.

Monochromatic Color Examples ✅

First of all, it is important to note that a monochromatic color scheme uses only one color, with variations in chromaticity (saturation) and/or value (brightness).

In other words, if you choose a secondary color, such as green, as your base color, adding yellow-green and blue-green variations will not be monochromatic, as this will change the hue. Look at the example below:

In this color palette, the "PMS 354" center block can be seen as a pure shade. See how the greens are getting more yellow at the bottom of the grid and more blue at the top?

This shows the change in hue when other colors are added (in this case the two primary colors that make up green - blue and yellow).

However, if you look again at "PMS 354" in the center and follow the blocks horizontally, you will see that the variations are monochromatic - in other words, the hue does not change, but the color becomes lighter on the left (hue) and darker on the right ( shadow).

To understand the subtle differences between these color options at monochrome scale , especially in digital design, you can use graphic design tools to manipulate your chosen base color.

In the following examples, I have chosen fuchsia as the base color.

Random fact: fuchsia and magenta are exactly the same colors!

The hex code for fuchsia is #FF00FF, or (255, 0, 255) in RGB.

Hexadecimal codes are values ​​assigned to colors used for websites and other code-based applications; RGB stands for 'Red, Green, Blue' and is the primary colors of light .

Do you remember Newton's conclusions about white light? When you mix all three primary colors of light together, you get white.

Each color in RGB has a maximum value of 255, which means its pure hue. In other words, the RGB value for white is (255, 255, 255). The reverse is also true: in the absence of colors, there is no light, so RGB(0, 0, 0) equals black.

Fuchsia is a combination of pure red (255), no green (0) and pure blue (255).

Since we are working with light emitting devices such as computers and mobile phones, we need to think in these terms and meanings when selecting and manipulating colors for monochromatic design schemes.

Now let's look at how to create tone, shade and tone. 🧐

  • Create Hue
  • Create Shadow
  • Create Tone

Create Hue

Using Google's color picker tool, we'll start with an RGB value for pure fuchsia (255, 0, 255).

As you move the color picker from top right to left, you will notice that is lighter than - we are moving through the range of solid fuchsia shades.

See how the red (255) and blue (255) values ​​stay the same, but the green value increases with each lighter hue. This is because the more green you mix into fuchsia, the closer it is to white light (255, 255, 255).

Creating a Shadow

Let's do the same exercise with pure fuchsia, but move the color device from top to bottom to see the different shades.

Notice that fuchsia gets darker than as the values ​​for red and blue decrease. The value for green remains (0), in other words, the closer the red and blue values ​​are to (0), the more black the color becomes.

Tone Creation

Tone Creation means that the color will become more and more grey, or desaturated. We get gray by mixing black and white, so it makes sense that we would move the color device diagonally from right to left.

Notice how the fuchsia becomes not only darker but also less saturated - this is because the red and blue values ​​decrease, and the green values ​​increase.

In other words, fuchsia becomes both and whiter and blacker at the same time.

Something strange also happens: as soon as you pass the center of the color picker, the value for Green starts decreasing again to measure approximation to black (0, 0, 0).

👉🏼 Try this exercise with your favorite color using the digital graphic design tool or the Google color picker tool.

How to Use Monochromatic Colors 🖌️

The digital color matching exercise we just completed helped us understand how monochrome colors work, and will also help in choosing color variations for your monochrome design project.

Let's look at a few ways to use the monochromatic color palette.

  • Choosing a Monochromatic Palette
  • How to Create Contrast in Monochromatic Design
  • Using Gradients

Choosing a Monochromatic Palette

How do these solid colors look together? Do they convey the feeling you want to convey?

1. Choose a Base Color That's Suitable for Its Application

You want to make sure that the shade you start with is really the right one for your project.

We have already discussed that colors are perceived differently depending on the socio-cultural context, so when choosing a base color, you need to consider who your audience is.

Here are some common color connotations:

💙 Blue is considered a calm, masculine color in Western societies, but in China it is a feminine color. In India, blue is associated with the deity Krishna, and in many other cultures around the world, blue is used for religious purposes. Blue is considered a "safe" color for most design applications.

💚 Green may be a calm, natural color for you, but it also means adultery (China) or death (South America). Olive greens are also almost universally associated with the military, so this is another interpretation you should consider!

💛 Yellow is mostly known as happy, masculine, imperial, but in some cultures of Latin America and the Middle East it is used to represent death.

🧡 Orange is associated with the spice saffron and is a sacred color in India. As the national color of the Netherlands, it symbolizes patriotism and royalty. In the US, orange is associated with autumn and Halloween.

❤️ Red The color is used for many gaudy Christmas decorations, but it makes perfect sense as it most often means joy, success, excitement and happiness. In India, brides wear red on their wedding day as a symbol of good luck and long life. In China, red is the color used to celebrate the New Year. However, in some countries in the Middle East, red is the color of evil.

💗 Pink , a shade of red, signifies trust in Korea. Today it is considered a positive, feminine color in most Western societies and was used in Swiss prison cells in an attempt to keep prisoners calm and positive. Pink is also a traditional color for architectural exteriors in many parts of the world such as Latin America and South Africa.

💜 Purple color in many countries means nobility, honor, wealth and progress, but in Thailand it is worn by widows. Purple also signifies mourning in some Latin and South American countries. In Buddhism, this color is sacred and is worn by high-ranking monks.

2. Test the Monochromatic Base Color Scale

If you want to create a sense of unity in your color choice, you should do some trial monochromatic variations of your base color.

This may take a while, but it's worth it if you want to create a visually pleasing monochromatic image! You can repeat the color selection exercise we did earlier in this article using your digital design tool.

You can also use another image to search for colors. Simply find an image you like or a photo you would like to recreate as an illustration.

Use design software to set the image tint to (make everything one color), to help you see the image in monochromatic colors.

Then use the color picker to select the solid colors you want to use in your design.

3. Decide How Many Variations You Want To Use And Stick With Them Throughout Your Design

First try to create 2 variations of the selected color and then apply them to a test image - or apply them directly to your project.

Then add one or two more variations of if needed . You should stick to 3 - 7 color options. Remember - the secret to a great monochrome color palette is simplicity.

It's a good idea not to use too many different variations of the same color in a monochrome project.

First of all , if you fill your color palette with many similar custom colors, you can get confused about which colors you use in which areas of your design.

Second , it's especially important to limit the scope of the color palette if you're creating symmetrical, patterned designs and need to maintain a consistent look.

Another trick that will help you distinguish monochrome colors in the digital color palette is to name each of the custom colors set for your project and save the color palette.

This will make it easier for you to go back to project (especially when working on multiple deadlines!) without getting confused about which colors you used.

This will also allow you to reuse the monochrome palette or parts of it in other projects. As your career in graphic design progresses, you will create specific color palettes that will give your work a special style or highlight .

Creating a Monochromatic Color Palette Using Hues, Tones, and Tones

How to Create Contrast in Monochromatic Design

Using a monochromatic scheme has the benefit of making it easier to find colors for your palette, and you can be sure they will work together as they all work together. one shade !

Be careful not to choose too close shadows, tones and shades of your color with slight differences in chroma and value - when using monochromatic colors you need to rely on saturation and brightness to create contrast in your image.

  • Try placing a light and dark shade next to each other to create a sharp contrast without using a bright color.
  • You can use strong, sharp-edged shapes to further demarcate the color blocks.
  • Use a lighter or duller tone for background .
  • If you want a softer look , you can choose solid colors that are very close to each other. This will give your design less contrast and variations will blend into the design.

Using Gradients

Adding a monochromatic gradient to a design or background can be a really simple and elegant way to style an image or design element and create some interest.

A gradient is a smooth transition between colors by blending them gradually at different points.

Gradients can be linear or follow the algorithm - usually this option can be selected in a digital design program. What's more, you can choose the direction of the gradient, as well as add more than one hue, tone, or tone at different points.

This means you can create super dynamic and interesting gradients using monochromatic colors that will add interest to your image or create a 3D, abstract effect.

Gradients can be applied to shapes or backgrounds and tend to go in and out of fashion depending on design trends at the time.

This is especially true for graphic and web design - so be sure to keep up with fashion trends to keep your designs fresh!

Monochromatic Style Use Cases

If you want to do a monochromatic design or are just looking for fresh ways to use one color in a room or wardrobe, it's worth looking at what other people are doing for inspiration.

We have listed many designs and details below to help you get ideas!

  • Painting
  • Sculpture
  • Photo
  • Street art
  • Graphic design
  • packaging design
  • Social media
  • UX/Web design
  • Model
  • Model Raz0047 Tattoo Designs

Painting

Painting using just one color can create an overall sense of unity in visually striking images. See how the artist of this painting used monochrome blue to create depth and interest in his artwork?

The use of a very dark shade of blue in the foreground combined with a very light shade of blue in the background creates the perspective of a light source directly behind the subject in the center of the work.

The artist would add white paint or diluted blue paint to create shades, and black paint to create shadows.

Sculpture

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A post shared by Zeitz Mocaa (@zeitzmocaa)

Classical and modern sculptures tend to be monochrome, especially if they are made of the same material (e.g. marble or clay) or painted in one color.

Since the sculptures are three-dimensional, you will see darker and lighter shades of the color of the material depending on which how the light falls on the sculpture and where the shadows are formed.

This inflatable sculpture by artist GoldenDean is made of a glittery gold colored material, but we can see many single color variations depending on the lighting.

Photography

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A post shared by Chloe Obermeyer (@create_with_cleo)

0005 achromatic - these photographs contain no hue at all (lack of color) and consist only of tones and hues.

However, some photographic processes produce monochrome images with intense color.

Cyanotyping is a traditional photographic process in which chemicals are applied by hand to archival paper or other materials, and a "positive" (the image to be reproduced) is placed on top, after which the paper is exposed to ultraviolet light.

This process produces stunning blue monochromatic images.

Street Art

Graffiti artists know how to work with color! This mural was painted in Setúbal, Portugal and depicts a bird figure composed of many intricate shapes different tones and shades of red. large selection of monochromatic colors.

Graphic Design

In monochromatic design, as we showed above, you take a base color and create a series of tones and/or shades and/or shades to create a monochrome image without using a secondary color .

Using a digital design tool makes this particularly easy, as the software allows the to manipulate the colors of the image, add tint to the background, change the hue, brightness, and saturation of the design, and use the color picker to create a palette.

You can add interest to your design by adding various elements such as patterns, shapes, other images (as in the design above where black and white photos have been added) and text .

Packaging Design

The use of a single color is nothing new in packaging design. In fact, as the printing process evolves and more and more products compete for attention on store shelves, the packaging becomes more complex and colorful.

The problem is that the more complex the packaging, the more resources it takes to produce it, and the more difficult it is to recycle or reuse . In this sense, product packaging is generally not very sustainable and presents a huge problem in terms of wastage and costs.

So it makes sense that more designers and companies are looking for more sustainable and cost-effective ways to produce great packaging.

Monochromatic packaging has become a significant trend as more brands focus on the quality of their products and care about the environment .

One designer, Jonna Breitenhuber, took soap on a string to the next level by creating eco-friendly plastic-free bottles from soap.

These designs are minimal, with molded lettering to identify the product. It's a really bold statement about 's simplicity, 's "naturalness" (not plastic) and that we should buy products for their function, not flashy packaging.

Social Media

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A post shared by Harvard Business Review (@harvard_business_review)

Monochrome design can be used to achieve your communication goals.

Using the same color in the foreground in combination with a white background will draw the attention of the viewer or reader to the particular message you are trying to convey.

In this image of , the color choice for was carefully made by matching the light green of the T-shirt to the dark green of the evacuation sign.

UX/Web Design

Image Source: Very Peri

Colors make a huge difference to User Experience (UX) design , especially when creating online tools and websites.

The Very Peri website was created to showcase Pantone's 2022 Color of the Year.

Below you can see an animated view of one of the experiences built into the site where you can use the slider to move through different shades of Very Peri color.

It is very interesting to think that it is possible "draw" with code 🖌️

Image Source: Very Peri

Interior Design

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A post by Lisa Pollock (@sharedlisaspollock)

Monochrome color schemes are often used in interiors. You can choose a color that expresses a certain trait of you or your family, or is your favorite color that evokes certain feelings or brings back special memories.

Often the choice of color for interior design depends on what is in is currently fashionable in the market .

Monochromatic spaces are in trend now. You can style the interior with using neutral color variations, to create a neat, spacious and uniform look. The example above shows a room decorated in monochromatic style with variations of neutral beige.

The reason why this interior composition works really well is that the designer combined different textures of of the same shade. Have you noticed how the sharp contrast of dark and light in the marble pattern of the arch is repeated in the geometric patterns on the loose carpets?

The chairs follow the same beige hue as the walls, contrasting with the light-coloured drapes and window frames.

Another great technique used by the designer is combination of glossy and matte surfaces . Matte tiles, fabrics, vases and wood offset the gleaming marble, kitchen surfaces and light fixtures.

Overall, the combination of soft and hard, matte and glossy, freeform and geometric is what makes the neutral monochromatic color scheme so harmonious in this interior.

Fashion

The use of monochromatic colors in fashion creates a timeless look . Fashion house Avenue Calgary created a monochrome ensemble using variations of peach (orange-pink).

Note that the model's handbag is the darkest, the sweater is a lighter shade, the coat is a lighter shade than the sweater, and finally the color of the pants looks almost washed out against the light peach color of the background.

This outfit works well because it complements the model's fair skin tone and hair. The choice of a solid color outfit really makes the a bold statement and emphasizes the wearer's sense of individuality and style.

Retail

The trend of monochromatic design has also influenced the design of stores.

While traditional shop decor is usually rather dull and dull , a monochromatic color scheme can be used to brighten up a store without detracting from the product/service being sold.

On the other hand, retail stores are usually crammed with advertisements and various colors and cut-outs that require the customer's attention. In this sense, a monochromatic color scheme can be used to simplify the store layout of and create a sense of sophistication for .

See how this boutique tastefully uses the same same color throughout the décor to effectively "brand" the store and create a unique experience without distracting from the clothes on display.

Tattoo Designs

Although black is the most popular tattoo ink color, monochromatic colored tattoos are also extremely popular.

Red ink tattoos are gaining popularity as this tattoo ink color has more durability on the skin. It also gives the wearer a unique tattoo design without the black borders that are most commonly seen in colored tattoos.

Since ancient times, non-permanent henna tattoos have shown exquisite ways to decorate your body with monochromatic patterns (without having to stick to one pattern for the rest of your life).

Wrapping Up 📝

You should now have a pretty good understanding of what monochromatic colors are, how to create a color palette for your creative work, and the various ways to apply it.

Choosing one color for your creative work is a bold move, but done right it can really make your design stand out.

If you're looking for ways to use a particular color to convey a particular message or feel to the viewer or user, a monochromatic color scheme can help you.

Remember that the secret to any good monochrome a design lies in carefully choosing the right shade for its application, as well as creating a selection of shades, tones and/or tones that will create a visually appealing and meaningful composition.

Consider your audience, their special tastes and interpretations of colors to create designs that match their socio-cultural experience.

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While the thought of completing a design project with just one color can be intimidating, the end result can turn into something truly amazing and aesthetic. Monochromatic color options are a hot concept and can suit many types of projects.


The monochromatic palette is rooted in color theory and means more than just picking a color and designing everything with it. You'll want to consider the meaning and association with the color you've chosen and how to make the hue work harmoniously with other page components. We invite you to consider ways to help you better understand and use monochromatic colors effectively in any of your design projects.

What is monochromatic color?


The basic definition of a monochromatic color is the use of one base color and the shadows, tones and midtones of that hue. Of course, some purists may argue that the original color should come from the color wheel as one of the primary, secondary, or tertiary colors, but for design purposes, this is not always the case. Although each color can be traced on any kind of wheel.

To simplify, a monochromatic color starts with a single shade - anything from red, beige, purple, and so on. Subsequently, the design is created with a palette that uses derivatives of that color. Sounds simple, right?

Creating a monotone color palette


Contrast should be the focus of a monotone color palette. The biggest dilemma that designers face when creating monochrome projects is that other elements don't stand out clearly, or everything blends into the main background. You can eliminate this feeling by using a sharp contrast.


Creating a monochromatic color palette starts with choosing a base color. If you're designing for an established brand, it's recommended to use a color from your own artbook for most designs. Then start creating light and dark color variations as secondary options. You can create this palette however you like or use a tool like Adobe Color CC which includes a monochromatic color tool. An example of creation is shown in the picture above.

Starting with the base color, you will probably need at least two other options - a darker color option and a lighter one. As with any other type of color palette, you must determine what exactly to use for each color variation and how it will look throughout the design process. Usually, the rules for using a monochromatic color are no different from any other palette: the main difference is that each color refers to the same base.

Shadows, Tints and Highlights


Shadows, Tints and Tints are your main tools when planning a monochrome color scheme. Get to know each of them because you will use them to create and mix within this type of color framework.

Here are some definitions you should know:

Main color: dominant color selected in the color palette. This is the starting point from which the rest of the derived color options will be derived.

Shade: one of the 12 solid colors on the color wheel - primary, secondary or tertiary. It probably isn't that important to your design, but it's good to have it just in case.

Shadows: color with black added to make it darker.

Light tone: a color with white added to make it lighter, such as a pastel.

Tone: color with gray added to draw out the intensity of the color. Most colors fall into this category due to their association with hue.

Benefits of monochrome design


Monotone color palettes can work for many reasons. The use and popularity of monotone options is not limited to any one type of design. While solidity is popular in web design, it is also a favorite with interior and packaging designers.

Benefits of monotone color schemes include:

- One color automatically creates a feeling of simplicity and harmony.

- The scheme can be simple in design because you don't have to worry about matching colors.

- She creates a minimalist style that allows the content to shine.

- Monotone backgrounds allow contrasting elements to be visible.

- Monotone color schemes provide some special benefits when it comes to colorblind users.

- Single colors can be impressive, especially when there is a strong or unusual base color.

Forget the "rules"


Monochromatic designers tend to fall into one of two camps - monochromatic purists or those who "break the rules" by adding another color.

Sometimes the thing that can really make a monochrome scheme work is an accent color that completely contrasts with the rest of the design. Consider a green color palette for a website. Now think about the call to action button. Would it work better in a different shade of green, or would it work better in red?

Monotone color schemes can work brilliantly with looks that are part of the same color family, but they must also differ in contrast from the base color. The images in this case immediately become the focus of the design due to the contrast used.

Black and white color schemes, which may or may not be considered solid colors, can offer particular advantages when using elements of color contrast to separate components. Adding another color to a monotonous color scheme won't make it look like true monotony. Rather, it will add extra contrast or an element of surprise to help the visitor enjoy your site. Except that the complementary colors are a bit stingy and premeditated for better results.

Another "rule" of monotone color design is that designers often use it throughout a project. Consider creating monochrome elements and incorporating them into your designs to keep up with the trends. So, for example, it was done on the 450 GSM website, where they used such a scheme with an origami bird for the design of the landing page.

Trend mix

Now that you're convinced that a monochromatic color scheme is the right choice for your next project, try pairing it with other trends. This is one of the beauty of trying out new color tricks that you can pair with just about any design trend.

These sites used monochromatic color and other design trends in an inspiring way.

Monochrome & Minimalist


A super-simple site for the Jeet Grid System that is easy to look at and read with clean lines and a minimalist design style. Mint and mint shade plus minimal effect.

Monochrome, background video and color overlay

Tennis Au Feminin uses a dark blue overlay color to turn all parts of the home page into a solid color element. There are enough bits of contrast in the background video to pull it all together. And look how many trendy elements are used in this design.

Monochrome and flat

Kick My Habits combines the concept of a flat design with a background and color scheme coming from the same shade. The purple color grabs your attention, while the other elements, in particular the illustrations, help guide you through the site.

Output

Monochromatic is an option that can work for brands large and small. It could just be a color pattern for implementation and design if you're thinking about contrast from the start.

Monochromatic color can also leave a lasting impression on users and visual interest, especially when using a color that hasn't been used often in your projects. This is so much fun to play with because there are so many different ways to play with this color variation. Start small and see that monochromatic color options are virtually limitless.

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