Colour Palettes

40's Colour:
Usually only 2/3 colours were used to minimise cost
The top two rows were typical colours used for public information posters. Bold an eye catching throughout the time of WWII.
The bottom row is typical colours used by designer Paul Rand. White space was a key element within his work but he also used black and primary spot colour text...

50's Colour:
Pastel colours were dominantly used during this decade.
They were used to tint photographs, as spot colours, and as decorative borders to create focus.
Black was kept to a minimum, just in monochrome photos and illustration outlines.
Gignham and Houndstooth pattern were also used within design work.
(Influential designers of the 50's - Alexey Brodivitch, Cipe Pineless)

Gingham:

Houndstooth:



 60's Colour:
The 60's was a tiem for change. Their hippie sentiments, psychedelic and pop art, with their bold forms and bright colours reflected a buoyant mood. The designers were influenced by the colours of the rainbow. Gradients, halftone patterns and dadaist collage were also used to create the flamboyant style.
Influential designers of the 60's - Wes Wilson, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichenstein, Richard Hamilton)