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.
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