Color in Design

3 Resources to Help You Stay on Trend and Stand Out

When it comes to creating impactful designs, color is not just decoration. It is communication. The right color palette can grab attention, set a mood, tell a story, or guide someone’s next step. But how do you find colors that feel fresh, meaningful, and actually work together?

In a recent YouTube video, I shared three of my go-to tools for color inspiration, trend insights, and accessibility. Whether you are building a brand or designing your next post, these resources will help you make intentional color choices with clarity and confidence.

1. Complementary Color Slide

This is a great starting point if you ever feel stuck building a palette. Complementary colors sit across from each other on the color wheel, creating strong contrast and visual balance. This slide breaks it down visually so you can quickly explore combinations that work well together.

Use this to:
• Build color pairings that create contrast
• Refresh your brand palette
• Design graphics that stand out and feel cohesive

Complementary Color Slide from: https://www.color-meanings.com/complementary-colors/

2. Pantone Fashion Color Trend Report

If you want to stay ahead of the curve, this one is essential. Pantone’s seasonal fashion color trend reports are released alongside Fashion Week and show what is trending in color around the world. These palettes influence more than clothing. They shape design choices across branding, packaging, and digital media.

Use this to:
• Discover emerging color trends
• Update your mood boards
• Add a fresh direction to client work or brand refreshes

Pantone Fashion Colors: PANTONE FASHION LINK

3. Color Contrast Checker

A beautiful design still needs to function. This tool helps you check if your color combinations meet accessibility standards. It gives you instant feedback on whether your text and background colors are readable, which is especially important for web and digital design.

Use this to:
• Make your designs more accessible
• Improve readability and overall user experience
• Design with intention for all viewers

Color Contrast Checker: https://colourcontrast.cc

Final Thoughts

Color is more than what looks good. It is how your work communicates and connects. These tools are simple but powerful ways to take the guesswork out and design with purpose.

Want to see how I use each of these in action? Catch the full video below 👇🏻