By cuijiandong 
The wonderful world of color!
Color palette selection, contrast, and harmony are essential elements in designing visually appealing and effective visual communications. Here’s a breakdown of each:
Color Palette Selection
A color palette is a selection of colors used in a design project. When choosing a color palette, consider the following:
Step 1: Gather Materials
Printed copies of your design concept sketches or previous work
Magazines, catalogs, and books that inspire you
Fabric swatches, wallpaper samples, or other materials that add texture and interest
Digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Canva for creating a digital mood board
Step 2: Identify Key Elements
Identify the key elements that define the desired aesthetic and atmosphere:
Color palette: choose 2-3 core colors that evoke the desired mood
Typography: select font styles or typography that align with the mood
Imagery: identify the types of images that fit the mood (e.g., nature, cityscapes, abstract)
Texture: consider the textures that add depth and interest (e.g., rough, smooth, organic)
Mood words: identify key words that describe the desired mood (e.g., calm, energetic, playful)
Step 3: Create a Physical Mood Board
Use a large piece of cardboard, foam board, or paper to create a physical mood board
Arrange the gathered materials in a way that visually represents the desired aesthetic and atmosphere
Add notes, stickers, or other embellishments to reinforce key elements
Step back and review the board to ensure it effectively communicates the desired mood
Step 4: Create a Digital Mood Board
Use Adobe Photoshop or Canva to create a digital mood board
Choose a background color or texture that sets the tone for the design
Add layers for each key element (color palette, typography, imagery, texture)
Adjust sizes, colors, and opacity to achieve the desired balance and visual interest
Save the mood board as a high-resolution file for future reference
Example Mood Board
Here’s an example mood board for a fictional coffee shop:
Physical Mood Board
Background: Warm beige cardboard
Color palette: Rich brown (#754975), creamy white (#F5F5F5), and deep green (#2E865F)
Typography: Serif font with a vintage feel (e.g., Playfair Display)
Imagery: Cozy coffee shop scenes with warm lighting, rustic wood accents, and lush greenery
Texture: Rough-hewn wooden planks and woven baskets
Mood words: Cozy, inviting, earthy