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Graphic Design vocabulary · Colour Theory

Simultaneous contrast

Meaning in graphic design, with examples

nounAdvanced term

In graphic design, simultaneous contrast means: A change in perceived colour or lightness caused by surrounding colours.

In Turkish: eşzamanlı kontrast

How it is used

Use when identical colour values look different in different surroundings.

Example sentences

  1. Simultaneous contrast makes the same grey look lighter on the dark panel.

    The surrounding field alters perception without changing the grey's values.

  2. We demonstrated simultaneous contrast with two identical orange squares.

    Different backgrounds can change the apparent character of identical colours.

Common collocations

  • simultaneous colour contrast
  • simultaneous lightness contrast
  • 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.
  • 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.

More terms: Colour Theory

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