Day 21: One Hue

A monochromatic palette uses one hue at different levels of lightness and saturation. It is the gentlest introduction to colour because it removes the problem of colour harmony and leaves you with value: how light or dark each area is. A monochrome poster can feel calm, intense or atmospheric depending on the hue and range.

Objective. Create depth and hierarchy using variations of a single hue.

Design a poster for an aquarium night-opening using only tints and shades of one hue.

• One hue only — vary its lightness and saturation
• At least four distinct values
• Shapes and typography only

• A single hue throughout
• Clear value range from light to dark
• Readable text with enough contrast

Make the same poster in a different hue and notice how the subject feels different.