Desktop Publishing

  1. Home
  2. Computing & Technology
  3. Desktop Publishing

Green

By Jacci Howard Bear, About.com

Green and purple pops.

Green and purple provide eye-popping contrast while yellow and light blue harmonize.

Life and Renewal:

Green is life. Abundant in nature, green signifies growth, renewal, health, and environment. On the flip side, green is jealousy or envy (green-eyed monster) and inexperience.

Nature of Green:

Green is a restful color with some of the same calming attributes of blue. Like blue, time moves faster in a green room.

Culture of Green:

Green is the national color of Ireland and is strongly associated with that country. Green also has close associations with Islam. Because of all the green in nature the color is reminiscent of Spring. Coupled with red it's a Christmas color.

Using Green:

With both a warming and cooling effect, the color green denotes balance, harmony, and stability. Use several shades of green for a fresh, Springtime feel. Olive green, also called olive drab, is a not so drab summery green that may have military overtones for some people.

Using Green with Other Colors:

Green with blue produces echoes of nature - water and forest and can denote new beginnings and growth. Green with brown, tan, or beige says organic or recycled and can be a good color combination for packaging of those type of products. Tri-color combinations of green with yellow and black or white are sporty, outdoorsy colors. Purple with green can be high contrast, lively. Lime green with orange and yellow is a fresh and fruity palette.

Green Color Palettes:

These green color palettes feature shades of green combined with gray, yellow, black, purple, lavender, and brown for some earthy, retro, and conservative looks.

Using Green in Other Design Fields:

Language of Green:

The use of green in familiar phrases can help a designer see how their color of choice might be perceived by others, both the positive and negative aspects.

Good green

  • Green light - go, permission to proceed (with a task)
  • The green room - in theater or televisions it is the room where performers and guests go to relax
  • Green thumb - good with plants
  • Greenback - US dollar bill, money
  • Greener pastures - something newer or better (or perceived to be better), such as a new job
Bad green
  • Green-eyed monster - jealosy
  • Green with envy - jealous or envious
  • Green - inexperienced, untested, untrained
  • Greenhorn - novice, trainee, beginner
  • Green around the gills - pale, sickly

Green Words: These words are synonymous with green or represent various shades of the color green.

Emerald, sea green, seafoam, olive, olive drab, pea green, grass green, apple, mint, forest, lawn green, lime, spring green, leaf green, aquamarine, beryl, chartreuse, fir, kelly green, pine, moss, jade, sage, sap, viridian.

Is Green Your Favorite Color?


See how many others share the same color favorites.
View Results for Your Favorite Color Poll

Explore Desktop Publishing

About.com Special Features

Build Your Own Website

Step-by-step advice on how to do everything from choosing a Web host to promoting your content. More >

Connect Your Home Computers

Easy ways to connect two computers for networking purposes. More >

Desktop Publishing

  1. Home
  2. Computing & Technology
  3. Desktop Publishing

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.