My design concepts often start with color. This fall was no exception. I wanted to continue my “list” style posters, like Flowers and Their Meanings that I created earlier this year. I used a similar format to create a poster titled Everything Autumn. I also wanted to add some new greeting cards to my collection, with a focus on a sunflower motif.
When we think of fall colors, the tones usually jump from nature — rusty tractors, golden sunflowers, crimson apples, and glowing jack-o-lanterns. You find a lot of soft blacks and browns as the neutral options, with addition of purple and black toward Halloween. For this season, I brought together nature-inspired tones that vibed with my aesthetic.
Fall 2021 Color Inspiration
Shades of Orange
I challenged myself to include complimentary tones that worked well with the golden and orange options. Sienna was a surprising addition. I was hesitant to include it because you usually see it in summery styles. But, I like the way it mixes with both the gold and the green. Similarly, I created a dark greige that is kind of cool — there’s a hint of blue in there to contrast all the warm hues.
Stay Inspired
I often write about colors and their impact on design. If you enjoyed this post, you might like How the Pantone Color of the Year Impacts Designs. My article explains the visual trends in the months following Pantone’s annual announcement. Aesthetic preferences are shaped by the tone in every area of design from products to media.
Also, you should check out my Color Inspiration Pinterest Board. I frequently pin color groups that you can use for digital designs.
