Colour Blocking: Unblock Your Creativity!

Designers, brands and consumers LOVE the technique of colour blocking – WHY? Because it makes sense and we taste visually. Lately we have seen a resurgence of new ways of using colour blocking that  combine and contrast different aesthetics for awesome results. Combinations of uber simple minimalism and complex designs integrating colour blocks with graphics and typography have reignited our colour senses and ways of using an old technique.

Why Colour Block?

Use colour to ignite senses using visual references that stimulate taste and smell but also as a way to create a visual sense of style. This technique has been used to visually reinforce product flavours of products, whereby certain colours represent the flavour or style of the product enclosed. What we are seeing though is some interesting challenges to consumer expectations by mixing it up and using surprising colour combinations and choices. This is a risk, but the payoff can mean you stand out in a wall of expected. 

Choosing Colours

You know what colours go with certain products and people expect – so now is your chance to break the rules.  Exciting brands are choosing to vary their designs from blocky bold colours to sophisticated soft colours as a way of differentiating the style and branding of individual brands, flavour or campaigns. A stunning way to colour block is by teaming colour with black and white to create visual spaces for text and other ‘heavy’ elements. Others are using variations of the same colour to create visual spaces and delineations. 

Have Fun with Colour

Brand owners who say “but it’s our colour” miss out on wonderful opportunities to be creative and immerse their logo and branding in new contexts. Sure you have your brand identity and colours, but brands of all sizes are exploring playing with bold colour blocking designs to utilise the power or particular colours for different campaigns and market segments. It is ok to play – know your rules and apply them with colour rather than be stuck with the same old ones.

How to use Colour Blocking in Labels Designs

Labels can easily take advantage of this design option and bring life to products and campaigns. Start with logos or blocks surrounding product information – or do a ‘special edition’ to see how consumers react to your playing with graphics, typography, content and imagery. It still needs to make sense and resonate with consumers – but it opens up a lot of possibilities. Now that is a lot to unblock!