Relationships

Complementary colors

Colors that are on opposite sides of a color wheel.

Color wheel with orange, yellow-green, and red circles displayed in close proximity

How it affects UI design

Complementary colors can be used to create diverging color scales for data visualization.

Complementary colors can be used as secondary, accent color in a UI color palette for a dynamic appearance.

A complementary color palette may be more prone to color conflicts for people who have a color vision deficiency.

Hue is treated differently between color spaces, which can affect which colors are considered to be complementary.

Sources:

  1. Linda Holtzschue (2017). Understanding color: an introduction for designers. 5th edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Pages 70, 225
  2. Mary Stewart (2006). Launching the imagination: a comprehensive guide to basic design. 2nd edition. McGraw-Hill. Pages 63
  3. Juliette Aristides (2008). Classical painting atelier: a contemporary guide to traditional studio practice. Watson-Guptill Publications. Pages 80