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Color &
Color Theory
Graphic Design
Mrs. Alicia Sutton
Harrells Christian Academy
2023-2024
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​Color –
An element of art that refers to reflected
light.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
Color is one of the most powerful tools for visual
communication. It can influence our emotions, our
mood, and our behavior. That’s why it’s so
important for product designers to select colors
carefully.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
Have you ever
wondered
how designers &
artists find the
perfect color
combination?
They use color theory.
Color theory is a
practical combination
of art and science that’s
used to determine what
colors look good
together.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
Color Theory -
is the art of combining colors based on the
color wheel.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
Accurately combining colors, using the color wheel, and
understanding how colors relate to each other are critical
skills for artists, designers, marketers, and brand
owners.
Color Theory is broken down into 3 parts- The color
wheel, color value, and color schemes. Each part of
color theory builds on the previous.
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PART 1
The Color
Wheel
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Around 1665, renowned mathematician, Sir Isaac
Newton invented the first color wheel. While
studying white light reflecting off prisms, he
noticed that the light reflected a spectrum of
colors. Noting down the different hues, he believed
the rainbow of colors shared a harmonious
relationship.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
He compared the hues to music to discover the
harmonious relationship between each hue. He
identified each hue with a corresponding musical
note. He then arranged those musical notes into a
square, and then finally placed the colors on a
rotating disk to see how they interact with each
other visually.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
Newton’s publication of
his study of light and color
is public domain material.
You may read his
revelations on color via
his book Opticks, found
here:
https://archive.org/details/
opticksoratreat00newtg…
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
FUN FACT:
When you spin the color
wheel, the human eye will
only see white as the colors
blend together.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
There are two types of color wheels. The RYB (red, yellow, blue) color
wheel is typically used by artists, as it helps with combining paint colors.
The RGB (red, green and blue) color wheel, is designed for online use,
as it refers to mixing light – like on a computer or TV screen.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
Primary colors – colors that can’t be mixed from other colors. There are three
primary colors: red, yellow, and blue.
Secondary colors – colors that result from mixing two primary colors. There are
three secondary colors: orange, green, and purple.
Tertiary colors – colors made by combining a secondary color with a primary
color. There are six tertiary colors: red-purple, blue-purple, red-orange, yellow-
orange, blue-green, and yellow-green are tertiary colors
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PART 2
Color
Values
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The second part of color theory deals with
color values. Value is the darkness or
lightness of a color. When dealing with pure
color (hue), value can be affected by adding
white or black to a color.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
Shades, Tints and Tones
You can create shades, tints and tones of a color by adding black, grey and white to a base hue.
Shade - is created by adding black to a base hue, darkening the color. This creates a deeper, richer color.
Shades can be quite dramatic and can be
overpowering.
Tint - is created by adding white to a base hue, lightening the color. This can make a color less intense, and
is useful when balancing more
vivid color combinations.
Tone - is created by combining black and white—or grey—with a base hue. Like tints, tones are subtler
versions of the original color. Tones are less
likely to look pastel, and can reveal
complexities not apparent in the base color.
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FUN FACT:
Red is the first color a baby sees.
Red has the longest wavelength of the colors
and scientists speculate this makes it easier
to process in developing receptors and
nerves in a baby’s eye. This definitely helps
explain every baby’s love of Elmo!
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
PART 3
Color
Schemes
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COLOR SCHEMES
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Color scheme -
The choice of colors used in a design plan.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
Monochromatic Colors – Three shades, tones and tints of one base
color. Provides a conservative color combination. This is a versatile
color combination that is easy to apply to design projects for a
harmonious look.
​Complementary Colors – Two colors that are on opposite sides of
the color wheel. This combination provides a high contrast and high
impact color combination – together, these colors will appear brighter
and more prominent. Ex. Blue and orange, red and green, yellow-
green and red-purple
Analogous Colors – are colors that are next to each other on the
color wheel. Three colors that are side by side on the color wheel.
This color combination is versatile, but can be overwhelming. To
balance an analogous color scheme, choose one dominant color, and
use the others as accents.Ex. Blue, blue-green, green, and yellow-
green; red, red-purple, purple, blue-purple.
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Triadic Colors – Three colors that are evenly spaced
on the color wheel. This provides a high contrast color
scheme, but less so than the complementary color
combination — making it more versatile. This
combination creates bold, vibrant color palettes.Ex.
Red, blue and yellow or orange, green and purple.
Tetradic Colors - Four colors that are evenly spaced
on the color wheel. Tetradic color schemes are bold
and work best if you let one color be dominant, and
use the others as accents. The more colors you have
in your palette, the more difficult it is to balance.
Split-Complementary – a color scheme that is made
up of a color and it’s complements closest analogous
colors. Ex Blue, yellow-orange and red-orange. Red-
orange, red-purple, green
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WARM & COOL
COLORS
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Warm colors -
red, yellow, and orange
Cool colors -
green, blue and violet
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The color wheel can also be divided into warm and cool colors. Warm
colors including shades of red, yellow, and orange, and have the
longest wavelengths on the color spectrum. Warm colors advance
toward the eye, while cool colors recede. Cool colors including green,
blue and violet, have shorter wavelengths. The warmth or coolness of
a color is also known as its color temperature.
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Warm and cool colors are categorized as warm and cool due to
the feelings that one gets when looking at the hues. Reds,
yellows, and oranges are evocative of the sun and fire.
Therefore, they tend to convey a sense of warmth and comfort.
Cool colors, on the other hand, are reminiscent of earthy objects,
such as grass and water. These hues often feel cool and
refreshing, much like the outdoor areas that they are associated
with. Incorporating a mix of warm and cool colors will provide a
balance and a more defined contrast between the different hues.
Why Colors are Labeled as Warm and Cool
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Both warm and cool colors impact our visual perception of the
objects that we see. For example, warm colors will feel inviting
and comforting, and provide the illusion of heat and warmth.
Since these colors advance toward the eye, they work well in
large spaces in order to make them feel cozy and secure. Warm
colors can also be stimulating. They often evoke strong emotions
and promote activity, so these colors are ideal for gyms and
living rooms. Advertisers often use warm colors to provide a
sense of urgency, such as with red clearance signs, as well as
optimism and cheerfulness.
Psychological Effects of Warm and Cool Colors
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Cool colors have nearly the opposite effects of warm colors.
Receding from the eye, cool colors can make a space feel larger
and more open. These hues work well in smaller rooms in order
to increase the perceived size of the area. Additionally, cool
colors provide a sense of calm and relaxation. They are ideal for
small spaces that are intended to be tranquil, such as bathrooms
and bedrooms. Cool colors also influence people by evoking a
sense of health, tranquility and wisdom. Blue, purple and green
are utilized in advertising to convey trustworthiness and respect.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
It is important to pay attention to the characteristics of warm and
cool colors when choosing hues to use for a space or project.
The colors that you select can influence your perspective and
emotions, as well as those around you. Be sure to choose warm
and cool hues that represent the type of room or message that
you are trying to convey.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
Achieving harmony in color combinations is
one of the main color theory principles. When
you create a new scheme, it might be tempting
to add dozens of colors to it. But it’s better to
avoid that temptation. Why? Because it’s really
hard to achieve a visual balance when you use
too many colors. You can also easily
overwhelm your users.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
So how do you avoid this? Keep your color
scheme simple, with a maximum of two or three
colors. Some designers think that two or three
colors will limit their creativity, but that’s not
true. It’s possible to create interesting visual
combinations by playing with shades and tints
of those colors. Simple schemes also work best
for your users.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
Color influences 85% of shoppers' purchase
decisions.
About 62‐90% of the product assessment is
based on colors
alone.
Colors increase brand awareness by 80%.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
THE PSYCHOLOGY
OF COLOR
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THE PSYCHOLOGY OF COLOR
Focusing on the psychological aspects of color is an essential part of
understanding color theory. When you select a color palette for your
project, you’ll usually think about how things will look, but it’s equally
important to think about how they feel, too. Color has a powerful
psychological influence on the human brain, with each color representing
different meanings and emotions for your client.
SLIDESMANIA.COM
SLIDESMANIA.COM
Red:
danger, importance, love.
Red is known as the color of energy—simply
looking at it can increase a person’s pulse, heart
rate, and metabolism. It is also used as an
attention grabber.
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Orange:
energy, optimism, fun.
Orange has a positive energetic vibe. It’s also
associated with inexpensive products, making it a
good color for e-commerce stores if you want to
highlight the best price.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
Yellow:
happiness, attention, warmth.
Yellow denotes a sunny disposition; when
combined with black, it will quickly command
attention.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
Green:
growth, success, nature.
Green is often used for products that are close to
nature. It’s also a popular color to use within user
interfaces, giving users a signal that an operation
completed successfully.
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Blue:
trust, comfort, calmness.
Blue represents relaxation and comfort. Brands
love this color because it gives customers an
impression of inner security.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
Purple:
luxury, creativity, wisdom.
Purple is usually linked to royalty as well as luxury
products.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
Black:
power, sophistication, mystery.
Most brands limit black to text and accents.
As a primary color, black may be prominent on
fashion websites to convey a feeling of luxury.
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White:
cleanliness, health, innocence.
White usually makes us think of health and
cleanliness. Designers typically choose this color
to suggest a product’s safety, especially for
medical equipment and high-tech products.
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Color Theory Terms and Definitions
● Color - Element of art derived from reflected light. We see color because light
waves are reflected from objects to your eyes.
● Color wheel -an illustrative tool used to help us define colors and their relationships
to one another
● Color scheme - The choice of colors used in a design plan.
● Primary colors - The most basic colors on the color wheel, red, yellow and blue.
These colors cannot be made by mixing.
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SLIDESMANIA.COM
● Secondary colors - colors that are made by mixing two primary colors together.
Orange, green and violet (purple).
● Tertiary colors - colors that are made by mixing a primary color with a secondary
color.
● Hue - the name of the color.
● Intensity - the brightness or dullness of a color. DO NOT CONFUSE WITH VALUE.
● Color value - the darkness or lightness of a color. Ex pink is a tint of red.
● Tints - are created by adding white to a color.
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THE END!!

Color & Color Theory PowerPoint Presentation

  • 1.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Color & Color Theory GraphicDesign Mrs. Alicia Sutton Harrells Christian Academy 2023-2024
  • 2.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM ​Color – An elementof art that refers to reflected light.
  • 3.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Color is oneof the most powerful tools for visual communication. It can influence our emotions, our mood, and our behavior. That’s why it’s so important for product designers to select colors carefully.
  • 4.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Have you ever wondered howdesigners & artists find the perfect color combination? They use color theory. Color theory is a practical combination of art and science that’s used to determine what colors look good together.
  • 5.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Color Theory - isthe art of combining colors based on the color wheel.
  • 6.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Accurately combining colors,using the color wheel, and understanding how colors relate to each other are critical skills for artists, designers, marketers, and brand owners. Color Theory is broken down into 3 parts- The color wheel, color value, and color schemes. Each part of color theory builds on the previous.
  • 7.
  • 8.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Around 1665, renownedmathematician, Sir Isaac Newton invented the first color wheel. While studying white light reflecting off prisms, he noticed that the light reflected a spectrum of colors. Noting down the different hues, he believed the rainbow of colors shared a harmonious relationship.
  • 9.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM He compared thehues to music to discover the harmonious relationship between each hue. He identified each hue with a corresponding musical note. He then arranged those musical notes into a square, and then finally placed the colors on a rotating disk to see how they interact with each other visually.
  • 10.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Newton’s publication of hisstudy of light and color is public domain material. You may read his revelations on color via his book Opticks, found here: https://archive.org/details/ opticksoratreat00newtg…
  • 11.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM FUN FACT: When youspin the color wheel, the human eye will only see white as the colors blend together.
  • 12.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM There are twotypes of color wheels. The RYB (red, yellow, blue) color wheel is typically used by artists, as it helps with combining paint colors. The RGB (red, green and blue) color wheel, is designed for online use, as it refers to mixing light – like on a computer or TV screen.
  • 13.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Primary colors –colors that can’t be mixed from other colors. There are three primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. Secondary colors – colors that result from mixing two primary colors. There are three secondary colors: orange, green, and purple. Tertiary colors – colors made by combining a secondary color with a primary color. There are six tertiary colors: red-purple, blue-purple, red-orange, yellow- orange, blue-green, and yellow-green are tertiary colors
  • 14.
  • 15.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM The second partof color theory deals with color values. Value is the darkness or lightness of a color. When dealing with pure color (hue), value can be affected by adding white or black to a color.
  • 16.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Shades, Tints andTones You can create shades, tints and tones of a color by adding black, grey and white to a base hue. Shade - is created by adding black to a base hue, darkening the color. This creates a deeper, richer color. Shades can be quite dramatic and can be overpowering. Tint - is created by adding white to a base hue, lightening the color. This can make a color less intense, and is useful when balancing more vivid color combinations. Tone - is created by combining black and white—or grey—with a base hue. Like tints, tones are subtler versions of the original color. Tones are less likely to look pastel, and can reveal complexities not apparent in the base color.
  • 17.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM FUN FACT: Red isthe first color a baby sees. Red has the longest wavelength of the colors and scientists speculate this makes it easier to process in developing receptors and nerves in a baby’s eye. This definitely helps explain every baby’s love of Elmo!
  • 18.
  • 19.
  • 20.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Color scheme - Thechoice of colors used in a design plan.
  • 21.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Monochromatic Colors –Three shades, tones and tints of one base color. Provides a conservative color combination. This is a versatile color combination that is easy to apply to design projects for a harmonious look. ​Complementary Colors – Two colors that are on opposite sides of the color wheel. This combination provides a high contrast and high impact color combination – together, these colors will appear brighter and more prominent. Ex. Blue and orange, red and green, yellow- green and red-purple Analogous Colors – are colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. Three colors that are side by side on the color wheel. This color combination is versatile, but can be overwhelming. To balance an analogous color scheme, choose one dominant color, and use the others as accents.Ex. Blue, blue-green, green, and yellow- green; red, red-purple, purple, blue-purple.
  • 22.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Triadic Colors –Three colors that are evenly spaced on the color wheel. This provides a high contrast color scheme, but less so than the complementary color combination — making it more versatile. This combination creates bold, vibrant color palettes.Ex. Red, blue and yellow or orange, green and purple. Tetradic Colors - Four colors that are evenly spaced on the color wheel. Tetradic color schemes are bold and work best if you let one color be dominant, and use the others as accents. The more colors you have in your palette, the more difficult it is to balance. Split-Complementary – a color scheme that is made up of a color and it’s complements closest analogous colors. Ex Blue, yellow-orange and red-orange. Red- orange, red-purple, green
  • 23.
  • 24.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Warm colors - red,yellow, and orange Cool colors - green, blue and violet
  • 25.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM The color wheelcan also be divided into warm and cool colors. Warm colors including shades of red, yellow, and orange, and have the longest wavelengths on the color spectrum. Warm colors advance toward the eye, while cool colors recede. Cool colors including green, blue and violet, have shorter wavelengths. The warmth or coolness of a color is also known as its color temperature.
  • 26.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Warm and coolcolors are categorized as warm and cool due to the feelings that one gets when looking at the hues. Reds, yellows, and oranges are evocative of the sun and fire. Therefore, they tend to convey a sense of warmth and comfort. Cool colors, on the other hand, are reminiscent of earthy objects, such as grass and water. These hues often feel cool and refreshing, much like the outdoor areas that they are associated with. Incorporating a mix of warm and cool colors will provide a balance and a more defined contrast between the different hues. Why Colors are Labeled as Warm and Cool
  • 27.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Both warm andcool colors impact our visual perception of the objects that we see. For example, warm colors will feel inviting and comforting, and provide the illusion of heat and warmth. Since these colors advance toward the eye, they work well in large spaces in order to make them feel cozy and secure. Warm colors can also be stimulating. They often evoke strong emotions and promote activity, so these colors are ideal for gyms and living rooms. Advertisers often use warm colors to provide a sense of urgency, such as with red clearance signs, as well as optimism and cheerfulness. Psychological Effects of Warm and Cool Colors
  • 28.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Cool colors havenearly the opposite effects of warm colors. Receding from the eye, cool colors can make a space feel larger and more open. These hues work well in smaller rooms in order to increase the perceived size of the area. Additionally, cool colors provide a sense of calm and relaxation. They are ideal for small spaces that are intended to be tranquil, such as bathrooms and bedrooms. Cool colors also influence people by evoking a sense of health, tranquility and wisdom. Blue, purple and green are utilized in advertising to convey trustworthiness and respect.
  • 29.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM It is importantto pay attention to the characteristics of warm and cool colors when choosing hues to use for a space or project. The colors that you select can influence your perspective and emotions, as well as those around you. Be sure to choose warm and cool hues that represent the type of room or message that you are trying to convey.
  • 30.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Achieving harmony incolor combinations is one of the main color theory principles. When you create a new scheme, it might be tempting to add dozens of colors to it. But it’s better to avoid that temptation. Why? Because it’s really hard to achieve a visual balance when you use too many colors. You can also easily overwhelm your users.
  • 31.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM So how doyou avoid this? Keep your color scheme simple, with a maximum of two or three colors. Some designers think that two or three colors will limit their creativity, but that’s not true. It’s possible to create interesting visual combinations by playing with shades and tints of those colors. Simple schemes also work best for your users.
  • 32.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Color influences 85%of shoppers' purchase decisions. About 62‐90% of the product assessment is based on colors alone. Colors increase brand awareness by 80%.
  • 33.
  • 34.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM THE PSYCHOLOGY OFCOLOR Focusing on the psychological aspects of color is an essential part of understanding color theory. When you select a color palette for your project, you’ll usually think about how things will look, but it’s equally important to think about how they feel, too. Color has a powerful psychological influence on the human brain, with each color representing different meanings and emotions for your client.
  • 35.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Red: danger, importance, love. Redis known as the color of energy—simply looking at it can increase a person’s pulse, heart rate, and metabolism. It is also used as an attention grabber.
  • 36.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Orange: energy, optimism, fun. Orangehas a positive energetic vibe. It’s also associated with inexpensive products, making it a good color for e-commerce stores if you want to highlight the best price.
  • 37.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Yellow: happiness, attention, warmth. Yellowdenotes a sunny disposition; when combined with black, it will quickly command attention.
  • 38.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Green: growth, success, nature. Greenis often used for products that are close to nature. It’s also a popular color to use within user interfaces, giving users a signal that an operation completed successfully.
  • 39.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Blue: trust, comfort, calmness. Bluerepresents relaxation and comfort. Brands love this color because it gives customers an impression of inner security.
  • 40.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Purple: luxury, creativity, wisdom. Purpleis usually linked to royalty as well as luxury products.
  • 41.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Black: power, sophistication, mystery. Mostbrands limit black to text and accents. As a primary color, black may be prominent on fashion websites to convey a feeling of luxury.
  • 42.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM White: cleanliness, health, innocence. Whiteusually makes us think of health and cleanliness. Designers typically choose this color to suggest a product’s safety, especially for medical equipment and high-tech products.
  • 43.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM Color Theory Termsand Definitions ● Color - Element of art derived from reflected light. We see color because light waves are reflected from objects to your eyes. ● Color wheel -an illustrative tool used to help us define colors and their relationships to one another ● Color scheme - The choice of colors used in a design plan. ● Primary colors - The most basic colors on the color wheel, red, yellow and blue. These colors cannot be made by mixing.
  • 44.
    SLIDESMANIA.COM SLIDESMANIA.COM ● Secondary colors- colors that are made by mixing two primary colors together. Orange, green and violet (purple). ● Tertiary colors - colors that are made by mixing a primary color with a secondary color. ● Hue - the name of the color. ● Intensity - the brightness or dullness of a color. DO NOT CONFUSE WITH VALUE. ● Color value - the darkness or lightness of a color. Ex pink is a tint of red. ● Tints - are created by adding white to a color.
  • 45.