The Ruling Class

Urban dystopias are not democracies; someone somewhere is calling the shots, and that’s the ruling class. As with the upper crust, dress them in expensive, well-tailored clothes. Appearances matter, but they aren’t aiming for shock value—the final design should be imposing in both look and palette, but not outlandish. If the rulers don’t want the unwashed masses to know who’s pulling the strings, masks and veils serve to hide their faces.

TYRANNICAL PALETTE

The palette for the ruling class employs a lot of deep, cool colors. It’s ...