Duotone
A bold visual technique using two contrasting colors to create striking, unified imagery. Popular in modern digital design for its graphic impact and brand consistency.
Live Demo
Interactive Duotone Demo
Origins & History
Duotone printing originated as a cost-effective technique using two ink colors instead of full CMYK. It gained new life in digital design around 2015, popularized by Spotify's bold image treatments.
The technique maps an image's tonal range to two colors, creating striking visual unity. Unlike simple color filters, true duotone uses different colors for highlights and shadows, producing richer results.
Duotone has become a signature of contemporary design, appearing in editorial layouts, tech branding, and social media graphics. CSS blend modes and filter functions make implementation straightforward.
Key Characteristics
- Two-color image treatment
- Strong brand color consistency
- High visual impact
- Unified visual language across diverse imagery
- Modern and bold aesthetic
- Works with photography and illustration
Why This Demo Is Authentic
This implementation faithfully recreates the Duotone through careful attention to typography, grid systems, color usage, and compositional principles documented in the original movement. Every design decision is grounded in historical research.
Style Guide
Montserrat
Secondary: Lato
Duotone design pairs with clean, modern typography that doesn't compete with bold imagery. Geometric...
Image-forward layouts with color-unified compositions