COLOUR THEORY

COLOUR THEORY

What is colour wheel?

A Color Wheel a.k.a color circle is an abstract illustrative organization of colour hues around a circle that shows relationships between primary colours, secondary colours, complementary colours and others.

Primary colours : Red,Blue & Green

Secondary colours : Green,Yellow & Purple

Tertiary colours : Red-Orange, Yellow-Orange, Yellow-Green, Blue-Green, Blue-Violet & Red-Violet.

What is hue colour? 

Hue is one of the main properties of a color, defined technically, as "the degree to which a stimulus can be described as similar to or different from stimuli that are described as red, green, blue and yellow".

What is colour scheme?

The choice of colors used in design for a range of media. For example, the use of a white background with black text is an example of a basic and commonly default color scheme in web design. Color schemes are used to create style & appeal. Colors that create an aesthetic feeling when used together will commonly accompany each other in color schemes. A basic color scheme will use two colors that look appealing together. More advanced color schemes involve several colors in combination, usually based around a single color; for example, text with such colors as red, yellow, orange & light blue arranged together on a black background in a magazine article. Color schemes can also contain different shades of a single color; for example, a color scheme that mixes different shades of green, ranging from very light (almost white) to very dark. Use of the phrase color scheme may also and commonly does refer to choice & use of colors used outside typical aesthetic media & context, although may still be used for purely aesthetic effect as well as for purely practical reasons. This most typically refers to color patterns & designs as seen on vehicles, particularly those used in the military when concerning color patterns & designs used for identification of friend or foe, identification of specific military units, or ascamouflage.

What is colour harmony?

The blending of hues, shades and tints to produce a pleasing effect.

What is analogous colors?

Analogous colors are colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel. Some examples are green, yellow green, and yellow or red, red violet and violet. Analogous color schemes are often found in nature and are pleasing to the eye. The combination of these colors give a bright effect in the area, and are able to accommodate many changing moods. When using the analogous color scheme, one should make sure there is one hue as the main color.

What is complementary colors?

Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel, such as blue and orange, red and green, purple and yellow. Complementary color schemes have a more energetic feel.The high contrast between the colors creates a vibrant look, especially when used at full saturation. Complementary colors can be tricky to use in large doses.

What is tints and shades?

A tint is the mixture of a color with white, which increases lightness, and a shade is the mixture of a color with black, which reduces lightness. A tone is produced either by mixing with gray, or by both tinting and shading. Mixing a color with any neutral color, including black and white, reduces the chroma, or colorfulness, while the hue remains unchanged. 

What is monochromatic color?

Monochromatic colors are all the colors (tints, tones, and shades) of a single hue. color schemes are derived from a single base hue, and extended using its shades, tones and tints (that is, a hue modified by the addition of black, gray (black + white) and white. As a result, the energy is more subtle and peaceful due to a lack of contrast of hue. Monochromatic color schemes may be considered boring unless there is diversity within the design.

What is polychromatic color?

Poly- means many. This chord contains six different hues, equally spaced around the color wheel. It is sometimes called the double triad or the hexad. The example is made up of tints, tones & shades of the 6 intermediate hues, yellow green, blue green, blue violet, red violet, red orange, and yellow orange. Be aware that this is really too many colors for this particular design. In a larger design, six colors might do very well, but this is a chord that needs careful handling any time.

What is achromatic color?

Any color that lacks strong chromatic content is said to be unsaturated, achromatic, or near neutral. Pure achromatic colors include black, white and all grays; near neutrals include browns, tans, pastels and darker colors. Near neutrals can be of any hue or lightness. Neutral are obtained by mixing pure colors with white, black or grey, or by mixing two complementary colors. In color theory, neutral colors are colors easily modified by adjacent more saturated colors and they appear to take on the hue complementary to the saturated color. Next to a bright red couch, a gray wall will appear distinctly greenish. Black and white have long been known to combine well with almost any other colors; black increases the apparent saturation or brightness of colors paired with it and white shows off all hues to equal effect.

What are cool colors?

The family of colors that includes greens, blues, and violets. Cool colors bring to mind cool things, places, and feelings.

What are warm colors?

Reds, oranges, and yellows are considered warm colors. But if you compare different reds, oranges, or yellows (or even the colors considered cool, such as blues), you'll see that there are also warm and cool versions of each of these colors (relative to each other only). In aerial perspective warm colors are said to come towards you.

What is color symmetry?

The industry’s most complete solution for creating, emulating & consistently handling production looks across multiple animation, graphics, effects & post-production applications.

What is color composition?

The placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a work of art, as distinct from the subject of a work. It can also be thought of as the organization of the elements of art according to the principles of art. The term composition means 'putting together,' and can apply to any work of art, from music to writing to photography, that is arranged or put together using conscious thought. In the visual arts, composition is often used interchangeably with various terms such as design, form, visual ordering, or formal structure, depending on the context. In graphic design and desktop publishing, composition is commonly referred to as page layout.

Color & Emotions

Red 

Red, 1 of 3 primary hues, is one of the most powerful & emotion-evoking colors. Reds can feel sweet & innocent when mixed with white to create pink tones or bring about sharp responses when used in the pure form. With the addition of black, reds can create a darker emotional response, such as anger or convey passion. While reds can be used as the primary color behind your design, the hue is often best as an accent with other colors or used in more subdued ways. Know what kind of response reds can draw – passion, stimulation, excitement, power & growth & use that to your advantage when considering the color. [Light red for joy & love; dark red for rage & anger, but also leadership & courage; pink for romance & feminine qualities; & rusty reds for fall & change]

Green

Green, another primary color, is one of the most calming & neutral of shades. Green represents balance & harmony & is often used to depict nature & hope. Lighter shades of green (with a bit of yellow) are a bit more cheery & light & can even have some warm associations. Darker greens represent stability, safety & affluence – think money; American bills are dark green in color. With the addition of blue, greens become more teal & take on cooler tones. Greens work in many situations, as base colors & accents. This hue is one of the most pleasing to the eye. Be aware of sometimes unintended emotional consequences associated with greens, such as inexperience or sickness. [Yellow-greens for sickness & discord; dark green for ambition & prosperity; teal for emotional health & stability; & olive green for peace & harmony]

Blue

Blues are the hues of serenity, peace and security. The last of the 3 primary colors that create the RGB color base we use for digital design is used in a variety of design combinations. Blue, because it also creates a sense of calm and friendliness, is the primary color used by popular social networking sites Facebook and Twitter. Blue works well as both a background and accent color and is a shade that most people can relate to, although it can have masculine properties. Darker blues are also text friendly. Darker hues are often used in the color schemes of corporate websites, while lighter hues are more commonly showcased in lighter applications. Blue, which has associations with water and the sky, can also help add a natural feel to your site. In contrast, blues are seldom used in combination with food or in food packaging because some studies have shown that the calming effect from the color can actually suppress a person’s appetite.  [Light blue for heath, depth, stability and faith; dark blue for knowledge, power, trust and integrity]

Purple

Purple mixes some of the warm and cool, and passionate and tranquil qualities of red and blue. Purple has long represented royalty, power and wealth. Purples also promote a sense of creativity and imagination, because the color is not dominant in nature. Purples can have a variety of practical uses. Lighter shades, which are soft and feminine, can create a light or romantic mood. Darker shades have a heavier, moodier feel and can sometimes cause a sense of instability or uneasiness.  [Light purple for softness, nostalgia and romance; dark purple for moodiness, including unease, gloom or frustration or the much different sense of power and control]

Yellow

Yellow is simply happy. It has long been associated with energy and encouragement. The hue is stimulating and makes everything feel light and sunny. On the flip side, yellow is also associated with caution. Yellow is a great highlight or accent color but can be difficult to use in broad-based design. Pair and match yellow with contrasting colors to ensure that your message is clear. Yellow easily “washes out” and can lose luster when used in lighter forms. [Light yellow for caution and trepidation; dark yellow for happiness, joy and freshness]

Orange

Orange is the harmonic marriage between red and yellow. It combines the passion and energy from the primary color with the sunniness and freshness of yellow. Orange hues tend to be balanced, energetic and inviting. But this hue can be tough to make work. Oranges are great for splashes of color and accents but can almost cause a too-busy effect when used as a dominant color. Use orange to represent movement but be wary of the colors’ ability to overpower other design elements. [Yellow-orange or gold for prestige and wisdom; red-orange for pleasure, energy, health and desire; and dark orange for change or distrust]

Neutrals & browns

Neutrals and browns are the epitome of nature and are used abundantly in design (so much so that many natural tones may go unnoticed). Brown and neutral tones can represent anything from peace and calm to wholesomeness and reliability or even boredom. Browns work in a variety of functions – for backgrounds, accents and as a text color. The hues blend with almost every other shade to create a pleasing effect. [Pale browns for calm, purity and elegance; medium to tan for dullness or conservation; and darker browns for stability, comfort and experience]

White & black

White and black are the purest forms of color (or lack thereof). Each represents simplicity and formality. It is almost impossible to create anything without the addition of white or black. White is often associated with purity, cleanliness and perfection. Black is the color of power, elegance and mystery. It can also be associated with fear and unknowing. Each of the colors can have a stark look when used without accentuation. The combination of black and white, gray, can be calming and dull. [White for clarity, cleanliness and openness; black for power, elegance and mystery; and gray for calm and conservative]

HOPE & JOY

The paintings of Vincent Van Gogh show an instinctive understanding of the emotive properties of color. In this version of 'Sunflowers' from the National Gallery in London, he uses warm yellows to create an energetic image that radiates feelings of hope and joy. On the gallery wall this painting is surrounded by a thick dark brown frame and glows like a backlit image from within.

SADNESS & DESPAIR

Another effective use of emotive color is found in the paintings of Pablo Picasso. Between 1901 and 1904, Picasso painted in monochrome tones of blue which reflected his low psychological state. This was triggered by the death of his friend, the Spanish painter Carlos Casagemas, who shot himself because of his unrequited love for the artists' model Germaine Pichot. This chapter of his work became known as his 'blue period'. In 'The Tragedy' (1903) he uses cool blues to evoke the chill of sadness and despair in a typically gloomy subject from this period.

FUN & EXCITEMENT

Jim Dine is an artist who uses common objects and shapes as templates, in and around which he can explore and develop his ideas about drawing and painting. Although his personal iconography is associated with the Pop Art movement, he is a difficult artist to categorize. His images transcend any narrow description as they retain elements of figuration, Abstraction, Dada and Expressionism.

In 'The Circus #3', he applies vibrant primary colors with expressive brushstrokes in a color chart of emotion both inside and around the symbolic arena of the heart, evoking the excitement of the crowd, the energy of the performers and the fun of the show.

COLOR & MOOD

How do specific colors relate to moods and emotions?

Black

May make some people think of depression, but it doesn't have to. It's a very dramatic color; many artists wear nothing but black. It can denote mystery, something hidden - or maybe an introvert who's been around crowds too long could use it to "hide" from people. In this sense, it can be a very protecting color.

Gray

A common color for business suits, and in those instances it can indicate independence, self-control, and self-confidence. But some color specialists think it's also about ambiguity and indecision; after all, it isn't black, and it isn't white, either.

White

 Definitely about peace. But it's also associated with purity, which makes it good for "cleansing" - which could mean purification, or maybe just clarification.

Red

All about energy and vitality, but as you've seen above, it can also indicate anger. And of course it's associated with sexuality as well. 

Yellow

Good for mental activities like reasoning and analysis. It can promote self-confidence and is helpful in situations when you need to be more optimistic.

Green

Tends to make most people think of nature, since so much of the natural world is green. It's about connections - with nature, or with our fellow humans. It's also good for general stress, since it can help balance emotions.

Blue

Soothing and relaxing. It can stimulate creativity. Light blue can denote quiet, and dark blue can be sedating. But too much dark blue can be depressing.

Purple

Related to imagination, intuition, and insight. In some situations it can also be very peaceful.

Brown

The color of earth, and be just as "grounding." It's good for introducing stability to an otherwise insecure situation. But too much of it can take stability to its extreme - stagnation.

COLOR PSYCOLOGY IN LOGO DESIGN

RED

An intense color that can summon strong emotions from blood and warfare to love and passion. Used in logo design to grip the viewer's attention and has been known to raise one's blood pressure or make people hunrgy.

.Action.

.Adventure.

.Aggressive.

.Blood.

.Danger.

.Drive.

.Energy.

.Excitement.

.Love.

.Passion.

.Strength.

.Vigor.

PINK

A feminine color that conjure feelings of innocence and delicateness. Often used in logos to add a feminine flare.

.Appreciation.

.Delicate.

.Femininity.

.Floral.

.Gentle.

.Girly.

.Gratitude.

.Innocence.

.Romantic.

.Soft.

.Tranquil.

ORANGE

Combining red and yellow's attributes,its often used to draw attention. Find it used in logos to create playfulness, stimulate emotions or even appetites.

.Affordable.

.Creativity.

.Enthusiasm.

.Fun.

.Jovial.

.Lighthearted.

.High-Spirited.

.Youthful.

YELLOW

Can have conflicting messages. Bright and highly visible, its often used in logo design to get attention, create happiness and warmth.

.Caution.

.Cheerful.

.Cowardice.

.Curiosity.

.Happiness.

.Joy.

.Playful.

.Positivity.

.Sunshine.

.Warmth.

GREEN

Represent life and renewal. It is a restful and soothing color but can also represent jealousy and inexperience. You can often find it used in companies that want to portray themselves as eco-friendly.

.Crisp.

.Environmental.

.Fresh.

.Harmony.

.Health.

.Healing.

.Inexperience.

.Money.

.Nature.

.Renewal.

.Tranquility.

BLUE

A calming color that and can stir up images of authority,success and security. Most people can say they like at least one shade of blue. The most popular color in logo design, it can be seen extensively in government, medical and Fortune 500 company logos.

.Authority.

.Calm.

.Confidence.

.Dignity.

.Established.

.Loyalty.

.Power.

.Success.

.Secure.

.Serene.

.Trustworthy.

PURPLE

Implies royalty,mystery,spiritually and sophistication. As a combination of red and blue, it has both warm and cool properties. Find it in many education related and luxury product logo.

.Ceremony.

.Expensive.

.Fantasy.

.Justice.

.Mystery.

.Nobility.

.Regal.

.Royalty.

.Sophistication.

.Spirituality.

BROWN

Brown indicates nature, woodiness and utility. Brown is used in logos related to construction and legal logos due to its simplicity, warmth and neutrality.

.Calmness.

.Depth.

.Earth.

.Natural.

.Roughness.

.Richness.

.Simplicity.

.Serious.

.Subtle.

. Utility.

.Woodsy.

BLACK

Symbolises menace or evil, popular as an indicator of power. Found in many logos for its boldness, simplicity and sophistication. 

.Authority.

.Bold.

.Classic.

.Conservative.

.Distinctive.

.Formality.

.Mystery.

.Secrecy.

.Serious.

.Tradition.

GRAY

Neutral and cool, grey is often used for the type within logos because it is neutral and works well with most other colours.

.Authority.

.Corporate.

.Dullness.

.Humility.

.Moody.

.Practicality.

.Respect.

.Sombreness.

.Stableness.

ADVANCING COLOR

colour that give the impression of the background coming towards you.

RECEDING COLOR

Receding colours are light colours that make a room look bigger.

10 COLORS THAT DECREASE AND INCREASE YOUR APPETITE.

1. RED - The color red raises a person’s blood pressure, heart rate, and causes hunger to be more prevalent. This is why many restaurants choose to have red table cloths on tables or red accents on the walls. Red is an excellent color to paint the main room of an establishment where food is sold.

2. ORANGE - The color orange stimulates the brain, which increases mental activity and often stirs up a sensation of hunger. Many healthy foods are orange; butternut squash, carrots, oranges, and pumpkins just to name a few. Orange is a color that makes people feel welcome and when someone is comfortable, eating sounds like a great idea.

3. YELLOW - The color yellow makes most people very happy. It’s a cheery color that is noticeable in most surroundings. When people are happy, they are more likely to eat than when they are feeling sad or overly calm.

4. GREEN -The color green is such a healthy color. Salads are filled with green foods and most products considered being more natural than others are usually contained in green packaging. Many people are attracted to the color green and associated it with abundance. This is a good color to promote healthy eating and lots of it.

5. TURQUOISE - The color turquoise has a different hue than the standard blue tint mentioned above. Turquoise is actually an appetite stimulant. It’s often connected to happiness and the feeling of being carefree. It’s the color of tropical waters and used a lot on dessert plates. Even if you think you are full after dinner, seeing a piece of cake on a turquoise colored plate is likely to make you want to eat the dessert anyway

6. BLUE -The color blue has always been associated with calmness. This is a color that is best left for the bedroom or a room where relaxation is the key. People who are extremely calm and relaxed are more prone to sleeping than eating. Supposedly putting a blue light in the kitchen will suppress your appetite, which might be helpful if you are trying to cut back on the amount of calories you consume each day.

7. PURPLE - The color purple is rarely found in the world of foods. When it is present, it is often attached to foods not everyone enjoys; eggplant, red onions, and purple cabbage. Very few people find these foods tasty enough to drool over, so the color purple rarely makes people feel hungry. 

8.BROWN -The color brown is another dark color that tends to make people not feel very hungry. Brown reminds people of food that has been overdone or burnt. A few people might think of homemade bread or other baked goods when looking at the color brown, but for the most part this is a color not associated with an increase in one’s appetite.

9. BLACK - The color black is used to cause a person’s appetite to diminish. While it might be a slimming color when worn, it is not one that should be used in the kitchen or dining room to stimulate hunger. Very few restaurants incorporate black or any dark colors at all for that matter when decorating. They want to promote thoughts of food, not squelch them.

10. GRAY - The color gray generally turns people away from the thought of food. Have you ever seen a plate full of gray food that looked appetizing? Gray is definitely a color restaurant owners should stay away from when it comes time to painting the interior of a dining room.