Color Theory-Quick Reference Guide Poster

Color theory is a form of applied guidance to color mixing and the graphic effects of a specific color combination. There are also categories of colors based on the color wheel primary, secondary and tertiary color.

Color systems

Factors such as design and the type of paper to be used have to be considered when designing for print.

RGB is a color system ordinarily associated with computer displays and other displays such as LED and LCD. RGB stands for Red, Green and Blue. The RGB color mode uses these base colors to form just about any other color because RGB are additive colors. For instance if you want a yellow color, you simply combine red and green. It is obviously more complicated than this but modern day printers know exactly how to combine these colors in varying amounts to ensure that you end up with the color desired. 

CMYK works totally differently from RGB because instead of using additive types of colors, it uses subtractive colors. Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key. Key is another name for black. If all the colors of the RGB color mode are mixed together, the result will be the color white which increases their tint. With CMYK color mode, the more the colors are added together, the darker they become and this increases their shade. This is because they are subtractive colors.

Color Schemes

In most cultures, particular colors are linked to certain emotions and feelings that are still relevant in society today. The color wheel is the basic tool for combining colors and is designed in such a way that, any colors you pick from it will blend well. It can be dived in to warm colors which are energetic and vivid and cool colors which give an impression of calmness.

●     Complementary color scheme

Colors such as red and green which are opposite each other on the color wheel are said to be complementary. Complementary color schemes work well when you want something to stand out.

●     Analogous color scheme

Analogous color schemes use colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. They are usually found in nature and are harmonious and pleasing to the eye. It is important to have enough contrast when choosing this color scheme. One color should be dominant and the other should be supportive.

●     Triadic color scheme

This scheme uses three colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel. Triadic schemes tend to be vibrant even if you use hues which are pale versions of a color. For this scheme to be successful, the colors should be balanced with one color dominating and the other two accenting.

●     Split complementary color scheme

This scheme uses two colors adjacent to its complement in addition to the base color. It has the same strong visual contrast as the complimentary color scheme, but has less tension. It should be used by beginners because it is difficult to mess up.

●     Monochromatic color scheme

Monochromatic colors schemes are derived from a single base hue and extended using its tints, tones and shades. As a result, energy is made more subtle due to lack of a contrast hue.