Using Contrast to Make Your Designs Pop

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to:

• Apply contrast principles using colour, typography, and shapes in your designs
• Use Squarespace's tools to create effective visual contrast
• Adjust contrast settings for different screen sizes and devices
• Recognise when contrast works well and when it doesn't

Introduction

Contrast makes things stand out. It's what draws your eye to a headline, makes text readable, and helps you navigate through a design without getting lost.

When you understand how to use contrast properly, your designs become clearer and more engaging. You'll guide viewers exactly where you want them to look, making your message stronger and your layouts more professional.

This chapter covers the practical side of creating contrast in your designs, with specific steps for implementing these techniques on Squarespace.

Lessons

Understanding Visual Contrast

Contrast happens when design elements differ enough to create distinction. You can create it in several ways:

Colour contrast uses opposing or complementary colours to make elements stand out. Dark text on light backgrounds is the most basic example.

Size contrast pairs large elements with smaller ones. A big headline next to small body text creates hierarchy and draws attention.

Weight contrast mixes thin and thick elements. Bold headings with regular text, or thick borders around delicate images.

Shape contrast combines different forms. Sharp, angular elements alongside soft, curved ones create visual interest.

Start with one type of contrast before combining techniques. This helps you see what's working without overwhelming your design.

Setting Up Contrast in Squarespace

Here's how to apply contrast principles using Squarespace's design tools:

Step 1: Access your Style Editor by going to Design > Site Styles in your Squarespace dashboard.

Step 2: Choose colours that create sufficient contrast. For text, aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 between text and background colours. Squarespace's colour picker shows you live previews as you adjust.

Step 3: Set up your typography hierarchy. Use the Fonts section to assign different weights and sizes to headings, subheadings, and body text. Make your main headings significantly larger than body text.

Step 4: Apply spacing to enhance contrast. Use the Spacing options to create white space around important elements, making them stand out more.

Test your changes using the preview function. Check both desktop and mobile views to ensure your contrast works across devices.

Creating Effective Colour Contrast

Strong colour contrast improves readability and visual impact. Here's how to get it right:

Use complementary colours from opposite sides of the colour wheel for maximum impact. Blue and orange, or red and green create natural contrast.

For text readability, stick to high contrast combinations. Black text on white backgrounds gives you the strongest contrast, but dark blue on light grey can work just as well while feeling less harsh.

Avoid problematic combinations like red text on green backgrounds, which can be difficult for people with colour vision deficiencies to distinguish.

In Squarespace, test your colour choices by viewing your site in different lighting conditions and on different screens. What looks good on your monitor might not work on a phone in bright sunlight.

Typography Contrast Techniques

Typography contrast guides readers through your content and creates visual hierarchy.

Mix font weights: Pair bold headings with regular body text. Squarespace templates typically include several weight options for each font family.

Vary font sizes: Make headings at least 1.5 times larger than body text. For web design, this usually means body text at 16-18px and main headings at 28px or larger.

Combine font styles: Use one font for headings and another for body text, but limit yourself to two fonts maximum. Squarespace's font combinations are designed to work well together.

Adjust line spacing: Increase line spacing for improved readability, especially on smaller screens.

In Squarespace's Style Editor, adjust these settings under the Fonts section. The live preview shows you exactly how changes affect your design.

Working with Shape and Space Contrast

Shapes and spacing create visual rhythm and help organise your content.

Geometric vs organic: Mix sharp, clean shapes with softer, curved elements. A circular profile photo next to rectangular text blocks creates natural contrast.

Size variations: Use different sized elements to create hierarchy. Large feature images paired with smaller thumbnail galleries draw attention effectively.

White space: Empty space around elements makes them stand out more. Don't fill every corner of your design.

In Squarespace, control spacing using the built-in spacing controls in each content block. Adjust padding and margins to create the right amount of breathing room around your elements.

Practice

Create two versions of the same page or design:

Version 1: Use minimal contrast. Keep colours similar, use one font size throughout, and minimise spacing differences.

Version 2: Apply strong contrast. Use opposing colours, vary your font sizes significantly, and create clear spacing between different elements.

Compare the two versions. Notice how the high-contrast version guides your eye more effectively and feels more professional.

Try this exercise with a simple page containing a headline, paragraph text, and an image. The difference will be immediately obvious.

FAQs

How do I know if my contrast is strong enough?
Your text should be easily readable at arm's length on any device. If you have to squint or strain to read it, increase the contrast. Online contrast checkers can help you test colour combinations.

Can I use too much contrast?
Yes. Too much contrast creates visual chaos and makes designs feel aggressive or hard to look at. Balance high-contrast elements with areas of rest.

What about brand colours that don't contrast well?
You can still use brand colours as accents while relying on neutral colours for your main contrast. Use your brand colours for highlights, borders, or background sections rather than primary text.

How does contrast work on mobile devices?
Mobile screens are smaller and often viewed in varying light conditions. Increase contrast slightly for mobile, and always test your designs on actual devices rather than just desktop previews.

Jargon Buster

Contrast ratio: A numerical way to measure the difference between two colours, with higher numbers indicating stronger contrast.

Hierarchy: The visual arrangement of elements to show their order of importance.

White space: Empty areas in a design that give elements room to breathe and stand out.

Complementary colours: Colours opposite each other on the colour wheel that create strong visual contrast when used together.

Wrap-up

Contrast is your most powerful tool for creating clear, engaging designs. Start with simple colour and size contrast, then build up to more complex combinations as you get comfortable with the basics.

Remember to test your designs on different devices and in different conditions. What works perfectly on your desktop monitor needs to work just as well on a phone screen in bright sunlight.

Practice these techniques regularly, and you'll develop an eye for effective contrast that makes all your designs stronger and more professional.

Ready to put these skills into practice? Join Pixelhaze Academy for hands-on projects and expert feedback on your design work.