Red commands attention quickly, especially on a quiet base. Decide whether it represents the brand or an error state, then make functional alerts explicit with text and icons.
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Deep reds can anchor editorial or brand systems, while brighter reds work better as focused accents. When red also represents errors or destructive actions, keep that semantic role distinct from decorative brand use.
Keep the warm pale surface dominant. Red is a useful product marker against the greens; avoid using that same red/green distinction as the only way to communicate a status.
Ink on Canvas: 5.48:1. Other pairs need their own check.
Set long copy in the dark plum; reserve brass for rules and small decorative details.
Ink on Canvas: 12.29:1. Other pairs need their own check.
The pale neutral gives the stronger colors breathing room. Use rust for the event identity and gold for small details; olive can anchor maps, labels or supporting illustrations.
Ink on Canvas: 9.10:1. Other pairs need their own check.
| Role | Practical direction |
|---|---|
| Anchor | Burgundy, ink, or neutral for structure and text-adjacent areas. |
| Brand/action red | One chosen red used consistently rather than several competing reds. |
| Status red | If used for errors/destructive actions, pair it with text/icons and keep the meaning stable. |
| Surface | Light neutral or pale red that can hold readable dark text. |