Spring is here, and with it, feelings of renewal, excitement, and a sense of restored energy. Ready for a fresh start? The good vibes make this season the perfect time to refresh creative goals, learn new skills, and update the color palettes you regularly rely on in your design projects.
Read on for seven dreamy spring color suggestions that will infuse your work with creativity and playfulness this season.
1. Navy Blue and Mango
Contrasting, though not perfectly opposite on the color wheel, these shades pop brilliantly when played against each other for maximum effect. A truly deep blue, such as Pantone’s 2019 Eclipse, helps anchor and balance a yellow-orange shade like mango, and as a bonus, they work well together when accentuating an otherwise neutral design.
2. Hot Pink and Royal Blue
Royal blue and hot pink are each a trendy twist on primary colors and together, they balance one another like magic. Worried they might be excessively bold or overpowering? Pair them alongside white, mustard, yellow, or gold for an especially fresh but sophisticated design.
3. Green and Orange
Using orange with blue is common, but pairing it with green instead can look just as great — and a lot more interesting. One tip? The darker green that you use, the redder your orange should be. When you use a more yellow-green, like Pantone’s popular Pepper Stem, pick an orange that leans a bit more yellow.
4. Pinks and Dark Green
The classically preppy color combo is back in a big way this year. Want to add a little edge? Try working in brown, black, or forgoing lighter pink shades for a salmon or coral color instead.
5. Deep Red and Gold
Red and gold may be a timeless color combo, but slightly varying each hue can make the match feel more contemporary. Pantone’s Jester Red, is a deeply intense color that’s closer to burgundy than cherry, and it’s trending this spring. Looking to add something more to the mix? Pair your deep, dark red with cooler colors to show a clear contrast, or consider creating a warm palette by adding additional warm hues to the mix.
6. Cream and Lilac
Who’s afraid of a few pastels? These colors manage to feel sweet without being saccharine – and together, are a sophisticated version of the Easter palettes that dominate more traditional spring designs. Toffee Brown, a rich hue, can help balance out a lighter cream color like Sweet Corn while the light purple or can serve as a pretty pop of highlight color or create a more feminine mood.
7. Dark Brown and Orange-Red
Dark brown and an orange-red, like Pantone’s popular Fiesta color, are great building blocks when you want to create a warm and inviting palette. Take it tropical by incorporating more oranges, yellows, pinks, and even a splash of green or turquoise for small contrast here and there.
Experimenting with different color palettes can reawaken your artistic eye, lead you in new directions, and help prevent complacency. Dare to be bold with your color schemes and you’ll enjoy blue skies (creatively speaking) all season long.
Want to learn more about colors this spring? Check out these great classes on color and color theory on Skillshare!
