How to Create Color Palettes for your Brand:

Ever admire a brand that seems to have it’s color scheme on lock down, but feel helpless in regards to where to start? Ever get stuck in the middle of a design project and feel as if the colors you’re working with aren’t meant to be?

It’s time to dial a lifeline.

Our Design Tip of the Day shows us how to use a simple online app, Adobe Color CC, to create monochromatic and complimentary color palettes for your new brand or next design project. (And yes, it’s free to use!)

Here are four ways you can start getting some beautiful results in minutes:

Upload an Image to Adobe Color CC

Use the camera icon to upload an image meant to inspire your color scheme to Adobe Color CC.

The app will produce a color scheme for you, in several slightly different options, based on various moods.

Create a Complimentary Color Palette with Adobe Color CC

Adobe Color CC will assist you in choosing complimentary colors, or colors on the opposite spectrum of the color wheel. Simply choose “Complimentary” from the Color Rule Option and either enter your RGB value into the first box, or move one arm of the color wheel until you arrive at your preferred color. Adobe Color CC will do the rest. Here are my results >

Create Monochrome Color Palette with Adobe Color CC

Adobe Color CC will assist you in choosing monochrome colors, or colors of a similar hue, on the color wheel. As above, simply choose “Monochromatic” from the Color Rule Option and either enter your RGB value into the first box, or move one arm of the color wheel until you arrive at your preferred color. Adobe Color CC will do the rest. Here are my results >

Explore the Adobe Color CC Community

Lastly, use the explore tab to see what the Adobe CC community has contributed. You’ll find some great inspiration here!

In all of these scenarios, feel free to save to your library, share with friends, publish to the community and play around for days. Have fun, everyone!