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Serious question, is it ever okay to break the 60-30-10 rule for a brand's main colors?
Last month, I was working on a logo for a local skate shop in Portland and the owner insisted on a 50-40-10 split with a really bright secondary color, which made me wonder if sticking to the classic rule is always the best move for standing out.
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felix47814d ago
That 50-40-10 split with a bright secondary actually sounds like a smart move for a skate shop. I've worked with similar brands and sometimes the classic rule just makes everything look like a bank logo instead of something with actual personality. The key thing is making sure that 40% color doesn't fight the 10% accent for attention. If you keep the main color calm enough and the secondary color has enough contrast, it works way better than forcing a boring split just because some book said so. Just watch out for accessibility issues with text on that bright color if you ever use it for body copy.
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fiona_murray1mo ago
Rules are just starting points, not holy texts. That skate shop owner might be onto something, because standing out in a crowded market often means breaking the mold. A 50-40-10 split with a punchy color could create a much more memorable and energetic vibe for a brand like that. If the colors feel right for the brand's personality and audience, then the classic rule should absolutely be ignored. Sticking too rigidly to any design rule can make everything look the same and boring.
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the_piper1mo ago
Rules are for beginners, not for real world projects. That 50-40-10 split with a bright color sounds perfect for a skate shop. It creates a bold, energetic look that fits their vibe way better than a safe, by-the-book palette. The goal is to match the brand's energy, not some textbook.
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