Something different usually stands out more. It’s like a spark of new feeling after a monotonous cycle of things. That principle is how we create contrast, a basic principle in design, yet so powerful to make it more impactful. By mastering contrast, a design can be improved by a lot. Information can be received more effectively with a good use of contrast. Without any further ado, let’s get started with it!
What is Contrast in Design?
If we were to stare at an empty wall, there’s probably not much to see. Just plain dull white. But by adding, let’s say, a dark color to it, we can see a contrast between dark and light colors. That is how contrast simply works.
Oxford Dictionary defines contrast as a difference between two or more people or things that you can see clearly when they are compared or put close together; the fact of comparing two or more things in order to show the differences between them.
So, think of it like adding an opposition. If you have light, you need dark. If you have something big, you need something small. That way, the two things are comparable to each other. However, it’s more than just opposites like black and white or large and small. A well-executed contrast enhances visual interest in addition to highlighting the design’s focal point.
Why is Contrast Important in Design?
Everything in a layout that is the same size, shape, or color will look quite dull; contrast adds interest. To begin with, it involves choosing what you want the audience to notice first. The eye is drawn to a specific area by contrast. In technical terms, it refers to the obvious differences in the characteristics of the design parts. Comparing contrasts makes it simpler for the observer to think about and understand a meaning. So, a good use of contrast brings:
- Attention: Elements with great contrast naturally draw the eye, emphasizing key points or crucial information.
- Readability: Content is made easier to read when there is enough contrast between the text and background in typography.
- Hierarchy: By establishing a visual hierarchy, contrast aids in the viewer’s navigation of the design.
- Visual Interest: Designs become more captivating when contrasting features are used to keep them from seeming flat or monotonous.
How to Make Contrast
There are several ways to have a contrast in design, you can achieve it by incorporating these aspects:
1. Colors
Color is most likely what comes to mind when you think of contrast. This is why it should not be surprising that one of the most popular ways to apply contrast in design is through color. Using two hues that are opposites on the color wheel is a simple method. Alternatively, you can pick colors that are striking enough to contrast with one another without necessarily being opposites, such as blue and purple.
2. Shapes
It works well to make the focal point of your design distinctly different in shape from the other components in your arrangement. Dropping in a circle, for instance, will draw the viewer’s attention immediately if the majority of your design is composed of square-shaped regions. Similarities calm the human eye, yet noticeable variations pique its interest. For optimal effects, you would position your main message there.
3. Size
One of the best ways to make your design stand out is to introduce contrast in the size of your objects! It will provide visual appeal and aid in establishing hierarchy. The audience automatically searches out the larger thing and interprets it as more significant when a large object or block of text is placed next to a small object or block of text. When dealing with restricted space, this kind of contrast is particularly helpful and provides intriguing complexity to your design.
4. Texture
Designs have visual texture even if they might not have physical substance. In other words, texture in design describes how a surface feels to the human eye. This sense of sight can be as keen as the sensation of touch. Texture can be evoked in design in a variety of ways, such as with plain backgrounds, geometric patterns, or even nature photos.
Simply combine texture with a non-textured element, such as a smooth surface, to create contrast. Alternatively, blend various textures together, such as when combining photographs and a pattern:
5. Typography
A large portion of a design will involve fonts of some kind. Typography can have color, size, and shape added to them. It is recommended to use stylistic variants and limit a layout to one or two typefaces for unification. For instance, to get contrasting effects, experiment with light, regular, and bold styles. Another way to make text stand out is to use colors that go well with your overall color scheme.
Tips to Use Contrast Effectively
Okay, we have learned the aspects of contrast. Now let’s talk about the tips. Here are some quick and easy tips to master contrast:
- Get to know the color wheel: It pays to have a look at the color wheel because color is the simplest approach to generating contrast.
- Pair hard and soft shapes: Combining a hard shape with a soft shape is an easy method to bring contrast to your designs. especially natural contrast which is more relaxed and informal.
- Keep scale in mind: Scale as it is the proportional size of one design element in relation to another, should be considered when utilizing size to create contrast.
- Combine textures: Combining clean and gritty textures produces an intriguing contrast, much like soft and hard shapes do. A gritty texture could be a raised or damaged pattern, whereas a clean texture could just be a colored, flat background.
- Play with value progressions: You may believe that contrast is inherently extreme. But when using contrast, it’s also possible to be subtle. One excellent technique to create contrast without making things appear overly dramatic is to experiment with value progressions.
- Be mindful of using contrast: In a composition, too much contrast leads to tension and misunderstanding. The layout could appear disorganized or overly cluttered. Avoid this kind of design by only using contrast to highlight the main idea you want to get across.
Any designer’s framework must include contrast. You may produce designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also useful and captivating by becoming an expert in the art of contrast. Thankfully, you don’t really have to worry about experimenting with it. If it comes to pitch deck, we can handle it for you. Contact us and tell us your need to make a powerful pitch deck!
