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I joined Contra just a week ago and have mostly shared the client branding work I do through Mariya Design.
But I haven't properly introduced the other branch of my practice yet:
Color Systems by Mariya.
It started from something I kept running into in brand and packaging work: a color palette can look beautiful and still be surprisingly difficult to use.
So I began building systems around color instead of collecting combinations.
Today that includes:
/49 Luxury Color Systems
Role-led color systems for branding and packaging.
/365 Cultural Color Palettes
A growing archive of color directions inspired by places, objects, materials and visual culture around the world.
/Color Systems Workbook
A free tool for turning color inspiration into a usable system.
/Color System Sales Kit
A practical tool for designers presenting and selling color direction to clients.
I'll share some of the systems, visual references and thinking behind them here over the next few weeks.
If you're a designer, brand strategist or just slightly obsessed with color, this side of my work is probably for you.
Color Systems by Mariya
mariya.design/color-systems
Role-led is the part that does the actual work. An unassigned palette turns every review into a taste conversation, whereas "this one is the surface, this one never exceeds ten percent of the page" gives a client something they can agree or disagree with. How many roles did you land on before the system started feeling rigid?
I landed on four: Anchor, Partner, Weapon and Foundation.
Four ended up being the sweet spot for me. Fewer roles made the systems too vague, while adding more started creating complexity rather than clarity.
The roles came first, then the proportions. The exact ratios can flex...
Sick!!
Embrace yourself Color Systems are coming :) :)
The network for creativity
Join 1.25M professional creatives like you
Connect with clients, get discovered, and run your business 100% commission-free
Creatives on Contra have earned over $150M and we are just getting started
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Bold, without a doubt. The “Safe” direction feels polished, but the “Bold” approach has more personality, stronger visual tension, and a much better chance of stopping the scroll. It feels more distinctive and memorable while still communicating the skincare message clearly.
Safe or bold, which one actually makes you stop scrolling? 🤔
Sans: the serif, tight tracking, one accent color playbook every skincare brand is running right now.
Bold: the same idea, redesigned with attitude. 💅
25 voted
32%
53 voted
68%
78 votes
Closed
BOLD is better
@Figma to @Shopify with @Instant, feels like designing at light speed if you are fast enough, you can design each section while the next one gets built with
@Instant AI is the part I love the best while using AI, adding my human touch and personal taste
say NO to e-comm generic design flop
turn on sound 🔈
the faq block makes the page easy to use
The Luminary brand needed a refresh – brand equity was lacking, and while the company hurdled staffing changes, much of the original branding had been nearly wiped away.
Soon after joining, it was clear that the design team would need some guidelines to lean up against to uphold quality and consistency in the brand.
Amazing work!