Charlene Lewis has been working for artincontext.org since the relaunch in 2020. She is an experienced writer and mainly focuses on the topics of color theory, painting and drawing.
3 Ways Logo Designers Can Break The “Red & Green Should Never Be Seen” Rule
There are many “rules” out there about color combinations. Whether it is about wearing colors or using colors in the design, these rules make their way to us often. One such rule states “red and green should never be seen” together. We aren’t sure why this rule exists….it may be that these colors are associated with a “holiday” spirit, and this fixed association makes it difficult to imagine them into something else. Or it may be that these colors represent two entirely different and opposite ideas. When Green is “Go”, Red is “Stop!”. When green is “yes”, red is “no!”. However, the design world vastly makes use of this color combination. Today we are going to see how red and green can be a great color combination that makes the design all the stronger. In company logo designs, this significant combination can work wonders.
Green And Red Are Complementary Colors
When it comes to the color wheel, green and red are housed opposite each other. These colors are also called complementary colors. Complementary colors are those colors which are “opposites” of each other on the color wheel. This means that the one color they don’t have in their shade is the one that sits opposite to them. Because of this, complementary colors provide a very significant visual tension. They pull the design in a different direction. Yes and No. Go and Stop. Accept and Decline.
Image Source: istock/ Irina Kuznetsova
Because of this, it is also safe to say that opposites attract and designers can use this to their advantage. What we mean by attracting is that in a logo full of green, a slight red outline is going to catch your eye. Because it is an opposite color. This is why if you want to make something really stand out, you should use complementary colors. And the use of green and red in logos make the logo stand out along with its individual, defining elements.
TAP Logo: Using Red And Green For Opposite Meanings
TAP uses two green and red to emphasis opposites on multiple levels. It can mean how it takes you from one end of the world to another. It can signify the “holidays”, or it can even mean be for the sake of the visual attraction because red and green can easily stand out from a distance. The TAP logo is cleverly made with different tones of green and red. The designer cleverly disguises the letter “A” inside the T and the P to make the logo look more integrated and less heavy.
What Color Does Red and Green Make?
The answer to this question can be complicated. To make it easier to understand, it depends on the color model you are using. So, a combination of red and green can either produce a shade of brown or gray, or it can create the color yellow. What colors does red and green make? When dealing with this question, we will be mostly discussing how this is done using the more traditional color mode, which is mainly used for painting. However, we will also briefly look into the other options as well.
So, keeping with this, green and red mixed, create a shade of brown.
However, there are also many different types of browns you can mix. Below is a basic graphic example of a combination of red and green, which might produce colors that look different than if you are mixing paint colors.
| Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
| Red | #ff0000 | 0, 100, 100, 0 | 255, 0, 0 | |
| Green | #008000 | 100, 0, 100, 50 | 0, 128, 0 | |
| Brown | #804000 | 0, 50, 100, 50 | 128, 64, 0 |
Understanding Red and Green As Colors
Before we get into how to mix red and green, let us look at each color separately to see where everything fits in. To do this, you should learn all about color theory. As we have mentioned, we are going to be referring more to the traditional color system, which is what most of us have learned at school when learning to paint. So, you should then know your primary and secondary colors. This includes red, yellow, and blue, and then orange, green, and purple. All these colors can then be placed on a color wheel, which simply helps us visualize the colors. The colors are also placed strategically on the color wheel, and in this manner, you can then see how each color relates to every other color to form color combinations.
Red is a primary color that is important because you cannot blend any other colors to create red. Red is also a warm color, along with yellow, and orange. Green is a secondary hue that is produced by blending two of the primary colors.
So, green is made by blending blue and yellow. Even though yellow forms part of green, in general, green is seen as a cool color along with blue and purple. However, if more yellow is added to the mix, you can produce a warmer green. There are also intermediate colors, also often referred to as tertiary colors, which are a blend of the primary and secondary colors. For example, blue-green or red-orange. There are also many other color terms you might encounter, some of the more common ones include the following.
- Hue: The word “hue” is a term to describe a specific color. Hue and color are often used interchangeably, but the word “color” is more of a general term.
- Saturation: This is when the color has intensity, so a highly saturated color will be bright and vibrant. A low saturated hue will be seen as dull.
- Shade and tint: When black is added to a color to create a darker hue, it creates a shade. Add white to the mix, and you will create a tint.
- Tone: You can change the tone of a hue by adding gray, which makes the hue seem less vibrant.
Meaning of Red
Red is a warm and fiery color that is often associated with passion, blood, and danger. It is also an energetic color that can be perceived as strong and motivating. Red can also be seen as a stimulating color that is also eye-catching and confident. In places like China, red is seen as a symbol of happiness and luck. On the negative side, red can be seen as aggressive and is associated with anger and revenge.
Meaning of Green
Green is not surprisingly associated with nature, considering all the green trees and leaves. Green is a cool and invigorating color that is also closely associated with health, growth, and new life. Green also symbolizes balance and harmony and is seen as a color for luck and prosperity. Colors do not always mean the same thing in other cultures. For example, green is seen as a symbol of death in certain South American cultures.
Negatively, green is also the color of jealousy and materialism.
Mixing Red and Green Paint
As we have mentioned, there is more than one color model. When mixing paints, it is the traditional color model, which makes use of subtractive color mixing. If you take paint that contains pigments and you mix them on a surface like paper, some colors will be absorbed, while others are reflected. Green and red mixed create a brown color. How does this happen? When going back to color theory and the color wheel, when looking at the color wheel, red and green fall on different sides. This makes red and green complementary colors. When placed next to each other they create contrast, but when you mix red and green it is a combination of all three primary colors.
We have already said that green and red mixed creates brown. However, it all depends on the types of red and green. So, when creating a combination of red and green, you can also come up with a gray, or even blackish color.
For example, if you are using mostly cooler tones or a blue-green paint color mixed with red, it should produce a grayish color. However, if you use a warmer green with red, it should produce a warmer brown color. Many paint manufacturers have their own formulas, which is why it is always a good idea to read your paint labels to check what paint pigments are being used. Otherwise, you might be surprised by the colors that come out when you are blending.
Creating Lighter and Darker Shades
As with any hue, you can also create lighter and darker shades of brown. So, you can mix a variety of different types of brown, depending on what you use. If you have already achieved a shade of brown, and you wish to create something darker, the easiest way to do this is to add a little black. You can also consider adding a dark blue instead of black, which should produce a darker and richer color. Make sure it is done in very small amounts as black can quickly overpower the entire mix.
To lighten the brown, you can include small amounts of white until you have the color you want.
You can also consider first trying to lighten the red to create pink before mixing it with green. Always make sure to create and keep a color palette of the colors you used, and the proportions used when experimenting with color blending. Below are a few of the factors that can influence the color shade.
- Proportions: When mixing, you can either have more red and less green or vice versa. Mixing a balanced medium brown, you can try an equal ratio. By adding more green, it will lean towards khaki, and by increasing red, you will get something closer to burgundy.
- Pigment quality: The higher the pigment quality, the more vibrant and consistent the results will be.
- Transparency: This can depend on what medium you are using. Watercolors provide more transparency, while acrylics are more opaque.
Below are some examples of the different types of brown you can get. Tan is a lighter shade of brown, while khaki has more green than red paint in it. You can also go for a darker color like taupe, which can be described as a dark brown gray.
| Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
| Brown | #804000 | 0, 50, 100, 50 | 128, 64, 0 | |
| Tan | #d2b48c | 0, 14, 33, 18 | 210, 180, 140 | |
| Khaki | #c3b091 | 0, 10, 26, 24 | 195, 176, 145 | |
| Taupe | #483c32 | 0, 17, 31, 72 | 72, 60, 50 |
Meaning of Brown
Brown is an earth color that is seen as grounding, stable, comforting, and reliable. It is also associated with honesty, warmth, wisdom, and appreciation. In some Eastern countries, brown is associated with mourning. On the negative side, brown can be seen as timid, boring, predictable, and dull.
Yellow in Nature
Nature itself showcases an abundance of yellow hues. From the cheerful petals of daffodils and sunflowers to the striking patterns of exotic butterflies, yellow is widely prevalent in the world around us. In some cultures, yellow is associated with prosperity and wealth, making it a popular choice for auspicious occasions.
Yellow has a profound impact on human emotions and behavior. It is believed to stimulate mental activity, foster creativity, and promote a sense of optimism. On the flip side, excessive exposure to yellow can lead to feelings of anxiety or restlessness. Understanding the psychology of colors helps us harness their power in various aspects of our lives, such as interior design and marketing strategies.
Red, Green, and Yellow in Everyday Life
The combination of red and green to form yellow is not just a theoretical concept but a practical reality that surrounds us in our daily lives. Let’s explore some instances where these colors converge and the significance they hold.
1. Traffic Signals
One of the most critical applications of these colors is in traffic signals. The red light tells us to stop, the green light signals us to go, and when they combine, the yellow light warns us to slow down before the light turns red. This simple yet effective system keeps our roads safe and organized.
2. Fruits and Vegetables
In the realm of nature’s bounty, we find numerous examples of red and green combining to produce yellow fruits and vegetables. Bananas, for instance, start green, turn yellow as they ripen, and develop reddish hues as they become overripe.
3. Autumn Splendor
The breathtaking beauty of autumn foliage is a vivid example of red and green coming together. As the chlorophyll in leaves breaks down, the green pigment fades, revealing stunning shades of red, orange, and, you guessed it, yellow!
Conclusion
The fascinating world of colors never ceases to amaze us. When you mix red and green, the answer is a vibrant and captivating shade of yellow. Understanding the science and psychology behind colors opens up a realm of possibilities, from creating art that stirs emotions to using colors strategically in our daily lives.
Next time you see the golden rays of sunlight filtering through the green leaves of a tree, you’ll know the magic behind the question, what color do red and green make – The answer is yellow! Embrace the brilliance of colors, and let them fill your life with joy and wonder!
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