Saying no to the fifth colour

A palette is a promise. Every colour you add is one more decision somebody else has to make when you are not in the room.

Four is plenty

Most brands I work on have one dark, one light and two accents. That covers print, screens and signage, and it leaves room for photography to bring the rest.

When to say yes

Sometimes a fifth colour earns its place: a warning state in a product, or a seasonal range in packaging. Then it gets one job and a written rule, not a seat at every table.