Considering the d-d transition how, does tetracyanidonickelate(II) ion exist as a colored complex?
This is a diagram of the d orbitals of a generic d8 complex in a tetrahedral and square planar configuration. The tetrahedral complex would be expected for pi donor ligands (Cl-, OH-, etc.) where the pairing energy is greater than delta t, while the square planar complex would be expected for strong field pi* acceptor ligands (think CO, NO+, and CN-, which are effectively isoelectronic anyways). 

As you can see the frontier orbitals of this complex are all mostly on the metal complex , and I'd expect the excitation of electrons from lower-energy orbitals into these anti bonding orbitals to be the reason for the colors.