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Graphic Design vocabulary · Colour Theory

Complementary colours

Meaning in graphic design, with examples

/ˌkɑːmpləˈmɛntəri ˈkʌlərz/nounCommon term

In graphic design, complementary colours means: Two colours that sit opposite each other on the colour wheel, such as blue and orange or red and green. Side by side they create strong contrast and energy.

In Turkish: tamamlayıcı renkler, karşıt renkler

How it is used

Used in colour theory, critiques and when building palettes. Designers use a complementary colour scheme for impact, or use one complementary colour as an accent to make a button or price stand out.

Example sentences

  1. The poster uses complementary colours, deep blue and bright orange, so it's visible from across the street.

  2. Complementary colours can seem to vibrate if you put text in one on a background of the other.

Common collocations

  • complementary colour scheme
  • use complementary colours
  • complementary accent
  • split complementary
  • colour wheelA circle that shows colours in order around it, such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet, used to explain how colours relate and to build colour schemes.
  • contrastA clear difference between elements, for example dark and light, big and small or thick and thin, used to attract attention and make text and shapes easy to see.
  • hueThe basic colour family of a colour, such as red, blue or green, without considering how light, dark or strong it is.
  • colour paletteThe limited set of colours chosen for a project or brand, usually with main colours, supporting colours and neutrals, so that all designs look consistent.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Colour Theory

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