Tertiary Colours in Web Design: Mastering Subtlety and Complexity
Tertiary colours, formed by mixing a primary and secondary colour, provide a nuanced palette for web designers seeking to add depth, subtlety, and complexity to their sites.
These colours, including shades like blue-green, red-orange, and yellow-green, serve as sophisticated tools in the designer's arsenal, allowing for more refined and detailed colour schemes. In web design, tertiary colours can bring a sense of refinement and differentiation that enhances the user's visual experience and reinforces the site's branding.
Utilising tertiary colours effectively requires a keen eye for balance and harmony. They often bridge the gap between the dominant primary and secondary colours, creating smooth transitions and subtle contrasts. These colours can be particularly effective in creating background elements, accent details, and gradients that add depth and texture to a site without overwhelming the primary content.
"Tertiary colours are like the finishing spices in a dish; they might not be the first flavours you notice, but they add depth and complexity that elevate the whole experience. In web design, they're essential for creating a polished and nuanced visual aesthetic."
- Elwyn Davies, Pixelhaze Academy.
Principles
Subtle Contrast and Harmony: Using tertiary colours to create gentle contrasts and harmonious transitions.
Depth and Dimension: Adding layers of visual depth and complexity without overwhelming the primary message.
Refined Branding: Employing these colours to convey sophistication and a unique brand identity.
Advantages
Enhanced Detail and Texture: Tertiary colours can introduce detail and texture, making designs more engaging and professional.
Sophisticated Colour Palettes: They expand the colour palette, offering more options for precise brand alignment.
Visual Interest: Tertiary colours keep the user's eyes moving and interested, increasing engagement.
Challenges/Considerations
Complexity in Use: Finding the right balance and place for these colours can be more complex than using primary and secondary hues.
Risk of Overcomplication: Using too many colours or combinations can create a cluttered design.
Consistency Across Platforms: Ensuring colours appear consistently across different devices and screens.
Best Practices
Balance with Primary and Secondary Colours: Ensure tertiary colours complement and enhance, rather than compete with, primary and secondary hues.
Use Sparingly for Emphasis: Employ these colours strategically to highlight or accentuate key elements.
Consistency and Repetition: Maintain consistency by repeating specific tertiary colours throughout the design for cohesion.
Takeaway Notes
Tertiary colours add subtlety, depth, and complexity to web designs, enhancing the overall aesthetic.
They should complement primary and secondary colours, creating harmony and balance.
Challenges include managing complexity and ensuring consistency across platforms.
Best practices involve using these colours sparingly, maintaining balance, and ensuring consistency.
