The contrasting effect of different shades of green can be well illustrated on an example of the new corporate design of the Dresdner Bank. The darker and colder green has been changed to a brighter and warmer tone, with an attempt to create a friendlier image.

Primary green tone is associated with nature and natural, but dissolved with white it looks more and more synthetic and especially combined with grey can fit well to provide a feeling of hi-tech. Oversaturated, fluorescent green, especially underlined with black background would look rather artificial and poisonous (Remember the poisonous gas in all these action movies?).

Adding black and desaturating the warm green would produce olive or khaki, which may provide a bit military touch. These tones will not anymore provide the feeling of freshness, as saturated  greens do.

Clear, saturated green is irritating, if used as a background or for big surfaces. For this purpose it has to be lightened, darkened or less saturated.

The combination of green with blue and white would look balanced and conservative, associating the silence, peace and confidence. As you see, probably a good choice for a boring client, wishing to create a serious, trustworthy site.

Green or olive combined with violet or dark red/reddish brown would create a fine “designer” touch – something conservative and exquisite.... I associate this combination with “professional” designers because one really has to have a plenty of taste and a good eye to make this combination look harmonic and pleasant.

 

Green, especially combined with yellow has a psychological effect of sour or bitter.

The combination of red and green is nothing but irritating – I always ask myself, if people, who use it are confident of it.