Hot pink color (hex code #FF69B4) is the blazing bright pink that many associate with the neon fashion of the early 1980s and its resurgence in the 2000s. But it was on the scene long before then. In 1940, an advertisement in a newspaper in San Antonio, Texas described 21 brand new shades, including hot pink, a new color success for Spring. But what’s hot to some is not to others. The first documentation of hot pink’s existence was a description from Bentley’s Miscellany, a British literary magazine popular in the 1840s.
Fast forward to today and Gen Z is bringing it back (again). Softer shades of the color are known as Millennial pink, but lately, it’s all about the joyful highlighter hues of the early ’00s.
What does hot pink stand for?
Color can affect our moods and behaviors. Traditionally, people immediately associate pink with femininity, girlhood, and softness. Pink often also brings to mind romance and Valentine’s day. Some love it, some hate it. But it always demands attention. Because it’s often associated with femininity, companies that cater to women often use hot pink in their branding and logos.
According to architect Annmarie Adams, pink didn’t always have a feminine connotations. Pink only became the default feminine color after World War II. Before then, it was common for girls to wear blue, while mothers would dress their baby boys in pink. According to Adams, a cultural shift came after Nazi Germany forced gay men to wear pink triangles on their sleeves. The pink triangle has since been reclaimed by the LGBT community as a symbol of pride.
But the history of the color pink is even strange still. Since pink is thought to create tranquility and sensitivity, one shade of pink is known as drunk tank pink. Pink is even used in prisons for the calming effect it has on inmates. Although color psychology researchers have found that pink only tranquilizes people during their first exposure to the color. Studies have shown that inmates become agitated once they get used to it.
What’s not in doubt is that hot pink is packed with energy and doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s provocative, bold, and always makes a statement.
How to match colors with hot pink
Looking for some hot pink color combinations? Here’s a few pro ideas that you can try:
Similar colors
Hot pink with a range of related pinks creates a romantic edge. Pairing similar colors with hot pink can be helpful when designing Valentine’s day greeting cards. Using color theory can help to improve your design. If you want to take things up a level, try using analogous or triadic colors.
Analogous colors
Analoguous colors are three colors next to each other on the color wheel. To find an analogous color, take a close look at the color wheel. Then, pick the three colors to the left or right from it. Those four colors are analogous. The colors analoguous to hot pink (#ff69b4) are bright orange (#ff6969) and bright purple (#ff69ff).
Triadic colors
Triadic colors are easily identified using the color wheel. A triadic color scheme uses three colors evenly spaced around the color wheel. For example, the three primary colors form a triadic color scheme: red, yellow, and blue. Hot pink’s triadic colors are bright green (#b4ff69) and bright blue (#69b4ff). These three combine to make a fun, summery vibe.
Tetradic colors
Tetradic color schemes are also known as rectangular schemes. Imagine drawing a rectangle on the wheel. The four corners represent your color palette. For example, pink, red-orange, blue-green, and indigo.
Colors that go with hot pink
Hot pink stands alone as a striking and impactful color. However, when hot pink’s combined with other color schemes, it really comes to life.
Hot pink and blue
Even though pink and blue don’t exactly compliment each other, (although if you add yellow, they form a triad), culturally, they’re paired as opposites. Because it’s modern tradition to think that pink is for girls and blue’s for boys, putting them side-by-side inspires a kind of color harmony.
Neon green and hot pink
One thing that’s wonderful about this complementary color combo is how often it occurs in nature (and um, swimming pools). Every spring, you’re sure to see pink blossoms blooming out of green leaves and stems. Pink and green go together like black and white.
Black and hot pink
This vintage color combination throws it back to the era of poodle skirts and Parisian shopping bags. This high contrast color combination, from bright to dark, can be a lot of fun to play around with.
Get creative using hot pink color
Feeling daring and wanting to incorporate hot pink into your graphic design? Here are some ideas on how you might fancy bringing hot pink color into your work.
Pop Art
Pop art is more than an art movement. For the genre’s fans, it’s a lifestyle. Pop art emerged in the 1950s and 1960s when plastics and consumer goods were taking over the world. The term “pop” refers to what’s popular and fashionable, young, bold, and fun. Pop artists used everyday consumer objects to reflect the changing desires of culture. To catch the eye, pop artists frequently use bright and vibrant shades and colors.
Experimenting with Vaporwave
Vaporwave is kind of like the pop art of the 21st century. It’s a musical genre and visual art style that emerged from Internet culture in the late 2000s. The style gained a lot of popularity for its aesthetic and pleasing visuals that are derived from the 1980s and 1990s subcultures. As an aesthetic movement, vaporwave has been described as a tongue-in-cheek commentary on modern consumerism and technology.
Valentine’s day
Want to impress that special someone? On Valentine’s day, you don’t need a reason to share love. A Valentine’s day card is a great way to put all you’ve learned about hot pink into practice. Simply combine your favorite Valentine’s day images with a quote or words about the recipient.
Create hot pink color edits using Picsart
Now it’s time to put that hot pink color knowledge to work. Ready? These easy tutorials will show you just how easy it is to get started.
On the web
1. Open the Desktop Editor and click on New Project to start creating.
2. Click on the social icon or canvas size you want to create on.
3. And then fill that canvas with hot pink color, inputting the hex code #FF69B4.
4. Search for hot pink themed stickers, images, add shapes, and more. Add effects and filters if required. This part is entirely your call. Go wild with your hot pink color inspiration. The tools you need are right at your fingertips.
5. And when you’re done editing click on the Export button to download your work.
On mobile
1. Open the Picsart app and tap on the + at the bottom of the screen.
2. Scroll down to Drawings and tap on Create New to start.
3. Tap on the Color tool.
4. Input the color code for hot pink or move the slider as required.
5. Search for hot pink themed stickers, add images, shapes, and more.
7. Add effects and filters if required. You can be as creative as you want here. It’s your call.
8. Be sure to confirm all editing steps by tapping on Next and tapping on save or post to finish.
Create at the Speed of Culture
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