Some of the most striking, dramatic photography was created entirely in monochrome. Add monochrome to your next design project.
It’s been theorized that the human eye can discern about seven million colors. It’s no surprise then, that we naturally gravitate towards color when filling out our worlds. Print techniques quickly allowed us to get to color. As soon as we’d invented black and white movies, we wanted color ones. It wasn’t long before TV was pumping out color. While we started with those tiny computer screens capable of producing just green and black interfaces, not that much time has passed before we now have screens capable of recreating billions of color combinations. Our fashion, our homes, even our holiday destinations—all of them are steeped in color.
Our obsession with color has become so significant that we have entire companies devoted to describing, naming, and idolizing color. Theories on how it should be used have been around for decades, and we’ve even begun to explore the possibility that color can affect and alter our moods.
There is a lot to love about color. However, in a world where everything is amped up to eleven, all that visual noise can start to have the opposite effect to its intended purpose. Is there a different way of doing things? Can you break through on another track? Well, it just so happens that there is, and you can, and it’s been around forever.
Monochrome is a weird word. Dependent on what you’re doing, or who you speak to, it can mean different things. In the strictest sense, monochrome refers to something displayed in black and white. However, as with everything in language, its meaning has morphed over time. It can now also mean something that’s displayed in varying tones of the same color. However you look at it, working in monochrome is an entirely different discipline, and one that (right now) is seeing an ascendency as we grapple an alternative to our fascination with color.
We Have All These Colors—Why Stick with Monochrome?
Here’s our top reasons for giving monochrome a go:
1. Simplify a Busy Design
Every so often when creating—be it graphics, UI, fashion, packaging, or an interior—it’s easy to get carried away with an abundance of color. Before you know it, you’ve added something here, mixed something there, and in no time at all, the whole thing looks a lot more complicated and confusing than it needed to be. If the complexity needs to be retained—occasionally, there’s nothing you can do to simplify the content itself—then simply removing all color and concentrating on a monochromatic design is enough to provide some much-needed tranquility to the cacophony.
2. Create Striking Photography
In our social media-driven world, where filters to reshape, recolor, and reimagine are used all too often, it’s super-easy to forget that some of the most beautiful, striking photography ever created is entirely monochromatic. Particularly awe-inspiring in editorial work, but just as applicable in almost any other creative scenario, black and white photography is an incredible addition to your toolkit. If you don’t want to start shooting black and white, then a simple overlay or duotone effect can be enough to turn a stunning color photograph into an even more stunning black and white alternate.
Produce dramatic, striking photography in monochrome. Images via Roland Shainidze, banjongseal324, and Yuliya Yafimik, respectively.
3. Design a Beautiful Brand
Many modern brands are turning to monochromatic design to give them differentiation from their competition. This is evident in the fashion industry, where big contenders—such as Balenciaga—have stripped away everything but the bare essentials in their web design to allow their products to do the talking. Even outside fashion, designers can apply a similar technique. A black and white logo, no matter how you create the rest of your design, will be a truly beautiful thing, as it adds a simple, yet classy, feeling to your brand.
4. Create Logical Relationships and Progression in Your Designs
Creating experiences that are easy to navigate and understand is a cornerstone of UX design. Fortunately, monochromatic web and app designs can help with this enormously. Take the typical pricing page where you offer a customer various packages or tiers. Monochromatic design can help to differentiate those, and clearly show progression from the least feature-rich to the most.
5. Imbue Style and Sophistication
This one is perhaps an obvious one, but it’s that obviousness that is its virtue—just look at anything displayed in black and white, and it immediately feels heightened in some way. Perhaps it’s because we harken back to another time when lives were less informal. Whatever the reason, any design, no matter what it is, will always feel like it sits a few rungs higher by simply presenting it monochromatically.
Inspire style and sophistication in your images with monochromatic assents. Images via Galyna_P and Look Studio, respectively.
Not All Monochrome Designs Are Born Equal
Monochromatic design may look simpler, however, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a lot of light and shade with which to play. In fact, the choices you make will have a considerable impact on how viewers perceive a monochromatic design.
High Contrast
First up, the preserve of any editorial, high contrast is likely the most obvious starting point for trying out a bit of monochrome. The idea here is to chose hues that are as different in contrast as possible. Stick to the sharp end of the black and white spectrum, and avoid grayscale as much as possible. The result will be a high-contrast, high-impact feast for the eyes.
When implementing monochrome in images, begin with high-contrast. Images via Djomas, Alexandra B Dolgova, and Balogh Tamas, respectively.
Grayscale
Take monochrome to the other extreme by introducing multiple tones between pure white and pure black. You’ll end up with something that feels much flatter, but also quite high-end and sophisticated. This type of palette gives luxury packaging or branding a real feeling of purpose and place.
Experiment with introducing multiple tones between pure black and pure white. Images via Exotic vector and Buslik, respectively.
Awe-Inspiring
If awe-inspiring isn’t currently a technical term for how to describe certain types of monochromatic design, then perhaps it should be. Although hard to define, you’ll know when you see it. Monochromatic design can lift something beyond anything a color alternative would be able to create.
It depends on what you’re trying to create, but generally speaking, by employing crisp edges, geometry, or well-defined changes in tone and shade, you’ll be well on your way to your first awe-inspiring design. For photography, try angles you wouldn’t usually opt for. In packaging, introduce an unusual brand device. In fashion, strike out with patterns you’d never dare use in full color. With monochrome, you can get away with a lot more than you’d be able to otherwise. So, now is the time to really try out those designs you’ve always wanted to have a go at.
Need Some Inspiration?
So, you’ve decided to give monochrome a whirl? Well, here are some examples across multiple disciplines that should whet your appetite:
1. Graphic Design
In graphics, geometric shapes and crisp, angular edges, do well. Logos get a whole new feeling, and brand devices take on a more striking tone and mood.
Try geometric shapes and angular edges. Images via SmartMark, RODINA OLENA, and N1chEZ, respectively.
2. Insta
Socials are crowded, and with all that crowding, it’s hard to break through. A monochromatic approach defines some of the most incredible Insta grids out there. And, once you’ve seen them, you’ll be wondering why you weren’t doing it yourself all along.
3. Fashion
Ever since the 60s, fashion has had a fairly illustrious affair with monochrome. Flattering, avant-garde, and oftentimes jaw-dropping, monochrome fashion has a list of advantages as long as your arm.
4. Packaging
You only have to type in “unboxing” on YouTube to realize how important packaging has become to the user experience. Even if your current brand is all about color, monochrome packaging will present a first impression that customers won’t easily forget.
Black and white packaging is definitely having a moment. Everything from nutrition and wellbeing brands through to coffeeshops and even technology companies are jumping onboard—be a part of that craze. Images via Lalandrew and M. Unal Ozmen, respectively.
5. Home Décor
Deciding what colors to introduce to your home can be stressful. One way to bypass all of that is to go monochrome. It simplifies your approach, stops you from making a color faux pas, and gives a classy feeling to your home.
Monochrome is an incredible way to develop a unique creative style. Much like how print is having a renaissance, or vinyl has become popular all over again, employing monochrome is a fantastic, modern method of making your creative endeavors stand out. Use it to garner attention and provide the world with a bit of alternative wonder. It won’t be expected, and that’s its superpower.
Need more color inspiration for your designs? Check out these articles:
- The Colors of Dutch Culture Go Way Past Orange
- A Beginner’s Guide to Iconic Black and White Photography
- From Creamy Pastels to Luscious Greens: The Color Palettes of Inner Life
- Spring Color Palettes 2021: 10 Color Trends to Spark Joy and Creativity
- 5 Ways to Design Using Only Black in Your Next Project
Cover image via psy dye.
