The best orange & blues

Complementary colors (the ones that are opposite from each other on the color wheel) are powerful when placed next to each other, a classic first color theory lesson.

One of my favorite complementary color combinations is orange and blue. Sometimes the combination is used just for visually effective marketing and sometimes it’s used for more creative symbolism.

Here are a few of my favorite examples of blue and orange used in art and media.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Fantastic Mr. Fox uses orange and blue as a part of its bright color scheme.

This movie is a really interesting balance of adult themes and youthful imagery which I think is enhanced by the blues and oranges.

I think that the vibrancy of the combo helps juxtapose the mature undertones of the plot with an energetic and childlike environment.

Cheeto Puffs

Just a classic and delicious product design that makes the most of the visual effectiveness of blue and orange.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a movie about impermanence and love. I highly recommend it.

The movie follows couple Joel and Clementine. Throughout the movie, Clementine's hair color cycles through orange, blue and green.

Without spoiling anything, the opposites of orange and blue and the faded hues in between end up symbolizing the state of Clementine's relationship with Joel and of the cyclical nature of relationships in general.

Dune (2019)

I haven’t read Dune or seen the movie. But I love this book cover reprint design by Jim Tierney.

I might be able to say more about the color significance if I read it. But for now I just love looking at it.

Blueberries and Apricots

This is less a piece of media and more a delicious combination.

Apricots and blueberries are two of my favorite fruits.

They always remind me of summer and they happen to also be blue and orange. What a fantastic coincidence.

Prince (1979)

I love this album cover. It’s so simple and sexy and chic and perfect. The blue and orange are more muted but I think the contrast still achieves a powerful effect.

It's the perfect blue to enhance the orangey tone of Prince's skin and make his portrait pop off the surface.

It's Prince. There he is. That’s all you need.

The point is color can do so many things and it is one of my favorite things to experience.

Color can change moods, build worlds, and just make you feel so much! How exciting.