3 Color Palettes You Can Steal + How I’d Use Them For Brand Design
I’m used to it, really.
I see brands using non-branded colors and graphics constantly.
It’s a thing.
I personally don’t get it – BUT, I do know why it happens.
The root cause?
The designer that provided the brand design package did not explain what in the world to do with said files once they were shipped out their digital door.
There was no, “okay, so here are your fonts, and here’s how you should use them” or “here are your color codes, and here’s how they should ideally be used”.
Believe me, I used to skip that step too, because I thought clients just knew what to do with their brand without any education or explanation.
Then I realized: Doing that is pretty much equivalent to a basketball coach giving you a jersey and putting you in the game, without any prior training or coaching on what to do with the ball once you got it.
This realization has made me change the way I deliver files and communicate with brand clients. I’ve created a whole mini class about it, actually, which all of my brand clients now get.
It’s important to me that the brands I deliver are used well and with strategy, long after they’ve left my hands.
Maybe you have no clue what I’m talking about, but that’s why you’re here.
I’m about to show you 3 examples of color palettes, along with their color categories and how I’d use them in real life for a brand client.
BTW: I’ve created a pdf and exclusive audio talking all about how to budget for the new brand design (or brand refresh) of your *dreams*. ––GRAB IT HERE––
Colors & Their “Categories”
After I finalize a palette for a brand design, I like to assign each color to a “category”. This makes it easier for me to note which color is which for communication purposes, but it also makes it very easy for the client to use their colors accordingly once they have their final files.
For instance, I commonly choose 3-6+ colors for a brand, and put them under the following 4 categories:
- Primary Color (1)
- Secondary Color (1)
- Call-To-Action Color (1)
- Additional Colors (1-3)
If you’re someone who doesn’t know a whole lot about color, or are apprehensive about using your brand colors in a pleasing-to-the-eye way, my system helps!
Your primary color is the one you’ll use the most (60% of the time), while your secondary and additional colors will be used in other ways (30% of the time). Your Call-To-Action color is the one that you’ll use sparingly (10% of the time), but very strategically, such as when you want someone to do something, like tap a “learn more” or a “buy now” button.
I’ve gone into more detail about each of these categories in another post, which is linked at the bottom, in case you’re interested.
3 Color Palette Examples + How I’d Use Them For Brands
The following color palettes were custom created by me, and, as examples, I’ve assigned each color to categories in the way I might use them for an actual brand. Let me know if you use ‘em, they’re yours to take if you’d like!
Color Palette #1
How I’d Use Palette #1
For this palette, you could use the Primary color for headlining color blocks on your website, and backgrounds for your social media posts, and for graphic elements in your pdfs.
The Secondary yellow color and Additional grays could be used as supporting colors, while the orange CTA color could be used for things like “SWIPE FOR MORE”. Here’s an example of how I’d use this palette with strategy in mind, according to the categories:
Color Palette #2
How I’d Use Palette #2
I really love this one! Here’s a great example of how I would use this palette for a brand’s pinterest pin or social media post:
Color Palette #3
How I’d Use Palette #3
This last one is so fun. I love putting the gray and the purple next to each other for contrast. Using the orange for the CTA makes it pop that much more. Here’s my example:
Color & Strategy
Picking a color palette and implementing it across your brand requires thought and strategy, to say the least. It’s something that takes time to curate when done well, but will be so worth it! The palettes I’ve included here are pre-made and yours to snag, but if you’re looking for something more, take a peek at my semi-custom brands.
If you’re here to learn more about color, look no further than 8 steps to choosing your own brand colors.
PIN IT FOR LATERS:
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