Contrast

Opposition Creating Interest

Keung, L. (2023) 'The Principles of Design' URL

Contrast is simply defined as difference. Expanding on this, it is the variations or dissimilarities (like opposites) between different elements or subjects in a work of art or composition. It can be achieved through different aspects of art such as value, colour, and texture. This technique helps to draw attention to a specific area in the artwork and create a sense of visual interest by providing diversity.

Contrast can be created through shape, colour, scale, layout and many other elements.

Contrast through Colour

Understanding contrast through colour is simple. One way to achieve contrast is by using complementary colours, which are located opposite to each other on the colour wheel. Examples of complementary colours are red and green, blue and orange, and purple and yellow. However, when using complementary colours, it is important to also consider contrast in value, which refers to the darkness or lightness of a colour. Using only complementary colours without contrast in value can result in an unpleasant aesthetic. Notice in the example how the red and green vibrate off of each other? The problem here is that while the colours are opposites, there is not enough contrast in value. By adjusting the lightness and darkness between the font and background, the result is more readable and aesthetically pleasing.

Using contrasting colours can also add excitement, energy or intensity to a visual work. To learn more about colour and to consider the emotional impact it can have, click here.

3 Great Ways to Use Contrast

Size Contrast

Incorporating size contrast into your design can enhance its visual appeal and help emphasize its key concepts. This contrast highlights the significance of larger elements over smaller ones. Using this technique, you can guide viewers' attention towards the essential parts of your design layout, ensuring they are not missed.

Shape Contrast

If your graphic design layout contains repetitive shapes such as squares, it is advisable to introduce a contrasting shape, such as a circle, to draw attention to a specific part of the design that stands out. By incorporating a different shape, viewers' attention is directed to the distinct element, making it more noticeable among the repetition.

Type Contrast

Typography or font contrast is a graphic design technique that involves combining two different fonts that exhibit clear visual differences. The purpose of this technique is to highlight the main information by using the more eye-catching font, while the other font supports it.

The information above was summarised from Lakovlev, Y. (2023) "How To Use Contrast in Graphic Design" URL.

Contrast & Accessibility

Can you read the number to the right?

The way colour is used in designs can also affect who is able to read or interpret them. Colour contrast affects some people’s to be able to receive information visually. According to the National Health Service in the UK, around 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women have some degree of colour vision deficiency, which affects their ability to perceive particular colours (NHS, 2023).

To ensure your own designs are accessible, consider the following two ways to improve accessibility:

Anything that is indicated by colour needs to have a secondary way for it to be distinguished - for example it is no good saying “use the green button if you agree or the red button if you don’t” by itself

For text to be readable or other elements to be distinguishable they need to have sufficient contrast with the background.

Learn more about accessibility in relation to contrast, use the following sources:

Contrast

Let's catch up? john.parson@ed.act.edu.au