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Monochromatic color schemes

Monochromatic color schemes

A monochromatic color scheme consists of different variations of a single hue. For example, a yellow monochromatic palette can include pure, saturated yellow along with its tints, shades, and tones.

Monochromatic combinations create a harmonious and visually appealing look. The hue unifies the design, which works well if you want your brand to be identified with a particular color. Monochromatic palettes are also the easiest to create. The downside of monochromatic palettes is that they can end up being boring and lacking visual interest. To avoid that, make sure there's enough contrast between light and dark hues. Another strategy to liven up a monochromatic scheme is to add a solid neutral like white or black.

Use monochromatic harmonies to:

  • Create calm and serene designs
  • Convey reliability
  • Create pages with a lot of text content

Pro Tip: When creating monochromatic, text-based designs, use dark shades for text and lighter shades for background. Save the brightest variation for graphic accents.

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