How I choose a colour palette

Start with the feeling, then the product, then the shelf. A simple order that keeps palettes honest.

I never start a palette with colours. I start with a feeling: warm, calm, loud, serious. Then I look at where the colours will live.

Then the shelf

A palette that looks great on a screen can disappear on a shelf. I test with printed samples next to the competition.

Then the rules

Four colours, one clear job each. If a fifth is needed, one of the four was wrong.

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