What should be noted about color relationships for design?

The basic form of color relationships is the contrast of value. Colors that are on the same hue value level generally don’t complement each other as well as they would with varying levels. Small amounts of a bright orange paired with navy blue will accent both colors and help draw attention to the product design. A forest green background with light green or blue text will be less visible than using a hue of red, orange, or yellow on the dark green background.

The contrast of temperature refers to cool and warm hue relationships. Our eyes are drawn to warmer colors. Within an arrangement, warmer colors will come forward and cool hues will recede. The idea of color temperature contrast relates to what we know in nature. We connect warm colors of orange and yellow with the sun. Bright green reminds people of flora and fauna, while variations of blue relate to the sky and sea.

—Unisub

Learn about spring and summer palettes in the February ’20 issue of A&E.