Using Shades of Red in Design

Learn about red's symbolism and how to use it in your next project

Blood red, blush, brick, burgundy, carmine, China red, cinnabar, crimson, fire engine red, flame, Indian red, madder, maroon, rose, rouge, ruby, russet, rust, scarlet, tomato, Venetian red, and vermilion are synonymous with or represent various shades of the color red.

Firefighter Responding To Emergency Call
Dennis Stevens / Getty Images

Nature, Culture, and Symbolism of Red

Red is hot. It's a strong color that conjures up a range of seemingly conflicting emotions from passionate love to violence and warfare. Red is Cupid and the Devil.

A stimulant, red is the hottest of the warm colors. Studies show that red can have a physical effect, increasing the rate of respiration and raising blood pressure.

The expression "seeing red" indicates anger and may stem from the stimulus of the color and from the natural flush (redness) of the cheeks, a physical reaction to anger, increased blood pressure, or physical exertion.

Red represents power, hence the red power tie for business people and the red carpet for celebrities and VIPs.

Flashing red lights denote danger or emergency. Stop signs and stop lights are red to get drivers' attention and alert them to the dangers of the intersection.

In some cultures, red denotes purity, joy, and celebration. Red is the color of happiness and prosperity in China, where it may be used to attract good luck.

Red is often the color worn by brides in the East, while it is the color of mourning in South Africa. In Russia, the Bolsheviks used a red flag when they overthrew the Tsar, thus red became associated with communism. Many national flags use red. The red ruby is the traditional 40th wedding anniversary gift.

Awareness Ribbons That Use Red

  • Diseases and conditions such as HIV/AIDS, blood disorders, congenital heart defects, diabetes, heart disease, alcohol substance and drug abuse, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, headaches and migraines, polio survivor, and Hirschsprung's disease.
  • Firefighters.
  • MADD.
  • D.A.R.E.
  • Hospice care.
  • Cesarean sections.

Using Shades of Red in Print and Web Design

When designing a website or publication, use the color red to grab attention and get people to take action. A little bit of red goes a long way. Small doses can often be more effective than large amounts of this strong color. Use red to suggest speed combined with confidence and perhaps even a dash of danger.

Multiple shades of red and even pink or orange can combine for a cheerful palette. Red pairs well with other colors:

  • Although not normally considered an ideal coupling, in combination with green, red is a Christmas color, a staple of the joyful season.
  • Cool blues provide contrast and tone down the heat of red.
  • Light pinks and yellows are harmonizing colors that can work well with red if not too close in value, such as dark red with a pale or golden yellow.
  • Be careful using purple with red. It can be an elegant combination, but too much could be overpowering.
  • Add a dash of red to a soft but sophisticated pink and gray combination.
  • For some countries, including the U.S., red, white, and blue is a patriotic trio even if the shades of red and blue differ from those used in the flag.

Red in Language

The use of red in familiar phrases can help a designer see how a color choice might be perceived by others—both positively and negatively.

Positive red

  • Red-letter day: An important or significant occasion.
  • Red carpet treatment: To make someone feel special.
  • Roll out the red carpet: To make someone feel special.
  • Red sky in the morning, sailor's warning: And, red sky at night, sailor's delight. Means to pay attention to good and bad warning signs.
  • Paint the town red: To celebrate, go out partying.
  • Red-eye: An overnight flight.

Negative red

  • Seeing red: Anger.
  • Red herring: Something that deceives or distracts attention from the truth.
  • In the red: Being overdrawn at the bank or losing money.
  • Red flag: Denotes danger, warning, or an impending battle.
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Bear, Jacci Howard. "Using Shades of Red in Design." ThoughtCo, Jun. 3, 2021, thoughtco.com/red-color-meanings-1073971. Bear, Jacci Howard. (2021, June 3). Using Shades of Red in Design. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/red-color-meanings-1073971 Bear, Jacci Howard. "Using Shades of Red in Design." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/red-color-meanings-1073971 (accessed March 19, 2024).