When designing a logo, choosing colors that contrast well is an important consideration. The right color combinations can make a logo stand out, be more legible, and convey the desired mood or message. Purple is a popular color for logos, but what colors go well with purple and provide enough contrast? Here we’ll explore the best color pairings and examples of purple logos with high contrast.
Complementary Colors
On the color wheel, the complementary color directly across from purple is yellow. Purple and yellow have very different wavelengths, creating a high degree of visual contrast when paired. This makes them ideal complements in logos where legibility and standing out are priorities.
Some examples of logos using purple and yellow together include Cadbury, Yahoo!, and Twitch. The bold purple and yellow make these logos distinctive and easy to recognize.
Analogous Colors
Analogous colors sit next to each other on the color wheel, creating harmony and continuity. For purple, analogous options include red-violet, blue-violet, and blue.
Red-violet pairs nicely with purple in a more subtle way than a bold complementary. Examples are the Symantec and Houzz logos. The similar hues blend pleasingly.
Blue and purple have enough difference to contrast, but still work well together. The Consumer Cellular logo uses a medium blue that stands out from the purple.
Triadic Colors
A triadic color scheme uses three colors equally spaced around the color wheel. The triadic colors for purple are red and green.
While red and purple have some visual similarities, there’s enough contrast between them to make a logo pop. Green is the perfect third color to provide more contrast.
The Morton Salt logo famously uses purple, red, and green together. The colors complement each other while creating visibility and energy.
Split Complementary
The split complements are the two colors on either side of a color’s complement. For purple, this is yellow-green and yellow-orange.
These create a more nuanced contrast than a straight complementary pairing. The Crayola logo utilizes purple with a split complement of lime green and orange.
Neutral Contrast
Pairing purple with black, white, gray, or other neutrals creates bold contrast through differences in saturation and lightness rather than hue.
The white “W” in the Walgreens logo sets off the purple background nicely. Other logos using purple with black, white or gray include Taco Bell, Hallmark, and Yahoo! Japan.
Warm and Cool Contrast
Purple is considered a cool color, while colors like red, orange, and yellow are warm. Combining cool and warm colors creates vibrant contrast.
The Nickelodeon logo sets its purple against a warm orange, generating excitement. UPS also uses the purple and orange pairing to stand out.
Dark and Light Contrast
A high contrast in lightness, such as pairing a very dark or very light color with purple, can make a logo visually striking.
The dark purple Hershey’s logo contrasts sharply with the white script font, making it legible and attention-grabbing.
Consider Color Meanings
In addition to visual contrast, color meanings should complement each other. Purple conveys wealth, luxury, creativity, and imagination.
Yellow brings energy and optimism. Green signals growth, health, and renewal. Red is passionate and energetic. Blue is trustworthy and reliable.
Think about the impression you want to make and choose pairings aligned with the brand identity. Complementary meanings will project a consistent, effective message.
Examples of High Contrast Purple Logos
Here are some examples of logos using purple paired with colors that contrast well:
| Logo | Paired Colors |
|---|---|
| Yahoo! | Purple and Yellow |
| Cadbury | Purple and Yellow |
| Twitch | Purple and Yellow |
| Symantec | Purple and Red-Violet |
| Houzz | Purple and Red-Violet |
| Consumer Cellular | Purple and Blue |
| Morton Salt | Purple, Red, and Green |
| Crayola | Purple, Lime Green, and Orange |
| Walgreens | Purple and White |
| Nickelodeon | Purple and Orange |
| UPS | Purple and Orange |
| Hershey’s | Dark Purple and White |
Guidelines for Using Purple in Logos
When using purple in a logo, keep these guidelines in mind:
– Choose a complementary color with visual contrast for maximum visibility and impact. Yellow, green, orange, white, and black work well.
– Analogous colors like red-violet and blue-violet create a cohesive, harmonious feeling.
– Warm colors contrast with purple’s cool tone, generating excitement and energy.
– Darker or lighter shades have high contrast with purple’s mid-range hue.
– Make sure color meanings align with the brand identity and message.
– Test logo colors on white and black backgrounds to ensure legibility.
– Avoid combing purple with colors that are too similar in hue or saturation, lacking enough contrast.
Conclusion
Purple grabs attention and conveys creativity in a logo, but needs the right color pairing for contrast. Complementary hues like yellow, split complements like green and orange, neutrals like white, and light/dark shades create legible, impactful purple logos. When choosing colors, consider both visual contrast and meaning. With an effectively contrasting color palette, the purple logo will communicate the brand essence while looking bold and distinctive.