A cohesive colour palette plays a larger role than just making a page look pretty. Maintaining consistency with colour ensures that your design flows from start to end.
For yearbooks, a good source of inspiration is your school colours. Consider a colour palette that uses these shades if your yearbook is more formal or will be used as a marketing tool for prospective students.
If you have more free reign or would like to get creative, you are going to need some inspiration! Creating a colour palette without a starting point is challenging, but luckily there is inspiration almost everywhere! Oftentimes a pretty photo is all it takes!
Here is a selection of colour palettes to try out or take inspiration from for this year’s yearbook.
Pink Sunrise
![Pink Sunrise colour scheme](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1palette-1-1024x538.png)
The colours in this palette are bold but harmonious and can be used to achieve a gradient or overlay effect on your page.
![Pink colour combination in yearbook](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/sun-1024x836.jpeg)
This colour combination is great if you want to inject energy but maintain tranquility.
City Lights
![City neon colour scheme](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/2palette-1-1024x538.png)
This combination of colours is reminiscent of city lights at night. The cool-toned shades are electric and contrasted.
![Futuristic yearbook palette](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/neon-1024x768.jpeg)
This palette is popular in futuristic and dystopian design. Try it out for a fun yearbook!
Natural Greens
![Natural green colour combination](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/3palette-1-1024x538.png)
Green is symbolic of growth and tranquillity, which makes it the perfect choice for a school yearbook.
![Green yearbook example](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/greens-1024x768.jpeg)
This colour scheme is welcoming and relaxing but uses contrasting shades to make it pop!
Deep Floral
![Floral colour scheme](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/4palette-2-1024x538.png)
This colour scheme is feminine but subtly so, with soft mauves and grey tones to keep it subdued.
![Dark yearbook cover](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/floral-1024x678.jpeg)
This palette is versatile and can be appropriate for both informal and formal publications.
Pastel Shades
![pastel colour combination](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/5palette-1-1024x538.png)
Pastel colours are calming and provide a feeling of relaxation for the reader.
![Pastel yearbook scheme](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/pastelbook-1024x853.jpeg)
The shades in this palette still contain enough saturation to pop from the page and create contrast.
Ocean Blues
![ocean blue colour scheme](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/6palette-1-1024x538.png)
There is a reason that blue is a popular school colour! Blue is versatile and is a great choice for both formal and informal designs.
![blue and green colour combination in yearbook](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ocean-1024x567.jpeg)
This palette includes complimentary blues from dark to light, with a pop of green!
Bright Rainbow
![bright rainbow colour shades](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/7palette-1-1024x538.png)
For a confident and eye-catching publication, why not try a rainbow colour theme?
![bright colour palette in yearbook](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/brightyearbook-1024x628.jpeg)
As these colours command attention, it is best to keep your other design elements simple. This palette lends itself to simple, flat designs and sans-serif fonts.
Natural & Professional
![natural colour theme](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/8palette-1-1024x538.png)
Muted natural tones are perfect for a sophisticated publication.
![Blue colour theme](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/fw_nnNfQ-e1588939844585-1024x671.jpeg)
These colours are calming and earthy, and won’t distract from your page content.
Citrus Fruit
![citrus colour combination](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/9palette-1-1024x538.png)
Like citrus, this palette is fresh and full of zest!
![yellow yearbook combination](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/citrus-1024x855.jpeg)
This colour combination will give your yearbook a happy and sunny look.
Retro Orange
![muted retro colours](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/10palette-1-1024x538.png)
This retro inspired colour palette is a unique alternative to the more typical bright shades.
![retro orange yearbook](https://spacificcreative.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ACGstrathallan-1024x789.jpeg)
Orange is unexpected and less common in yearbooks than blues and greens. Try this combination if you are after a yearbook that students won’t forget!
For more colour palette inspiration, check out our Pinterest board or check out what shades are trending in 2020!