Color theorists and designers in fashion or computer graphics have coined phrases based around what colors shouldn't go together. A recent forum post, Red and Green Should Not Be Seen? discusses two of the sayings ("Red and Green Should Not Be Seen" and "Blue and Green Should Never Be Seen Without Something in Between"), and some lovers have even responded in protest, showing how there is no 'wrong' in love. Here are some palettes and applications of the forbidden colors that really work.
Red and Green Seen
Blue and Green Seen
Oddly, these color rules work under specific contexts, which follow 'clashing' colors. Sure, red flowers on green leaves make perfect sense, and can be beautiful, but red text on a green background doesn't always work, so there is some weight to the statements. Of course, that weight really shouldn't be the end-all. Other color combinations that are said to not work are as follows:
Pink and Mauve
Pink and Orange
Brown and Black
What I've found to be true about what's "right" and "wrong" is that a good general rule, opposed to gospel. Because colors are flexible, it follows that these rules don't always apply. What it really seems to come down to is using colors correctly. Using colors that 'clash' properly can give a wonderful contrast. In the world of color, I've found that there's no such thing as 'no' in the world of color.
Do you need help or inspiration finding the right color combination? Check out Creative Market for some ideas and immediate downloads.
_stefan
rrhoades
indiethought
beaurybe
groutboy
i'm all about mixing it up, though. sometimes those chance-taking palettes are crazy and refreshingly gorgeous.
groutboy
ruecian
groutboy
and as for palettes that don't work:
oh yes.
of course, and many are my own :)
i'd rather not flaunt crap, i prefer celebrating awesomeness... or, at least, intended awesomeness.....soooo i shall not post any broken palettes today.
wells
_stefan
ZicoCarioca
indiethought
never say 'no' to me!
misat*
_stefan
_stefan
_stefan
wells
lukeyg
I think when there is a clash, the clash itself needs to be the focus of attention. If you are trying to read text or see what's going on in a photo then a clash can be disorientating and frustrating. When you make a feature of a clash, however, it's pretty fun!
ZicoCarioca
vredeling
bunigrl33
ZicoCarioca
hilaglam
faded jeans
glalalamour
therr
Just some extra information. =)
Heather
Lillium
asteria24
Glad to see such a well-written article.
Hm... but I do know that in the fashion world, red and green together are a big no-no. That is, unless one wants to look like a Christmas tree.
On the other hand, nobody ever told me about the blue and green "rule".
In the words of one of my good friends, "with art, nothing is concrete". Or something along those lines.
coryslater
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