Storytelling has always been at the heart of human communication, from ancient cave paintings to…
Color is a form of non-verbal communication. Its basis is our emotions. We never experience color the same way. By combining colors we can achieve that goal. There are various color schemes that help us find the combination that works e.
What are color schemes and how important are they to graphic design?
Knowledge of these schemes is of great importance for graphic design.
Choice of colors
In order to make the choice of the right color more precise and faster, the following sciences were created: Color Theory and Color Psychology. Tako su i šeme boja tu da nam pomognu da lakše napravimo pravi izbor u velikoj paleti boja.
Colors are mixed to create new colors, also colors can be paired to create visually pleasing combinations. Fortunately, you don’t have to sit for hours trying every color combination to find one that looks good. You can use tried and tested color schemes to find a combination that works.
Essential concepts
In order to better understand colors and color schemes, we will refer you to important terms.
- The Color Wheel is an illustrative diagram that shows 12 colors in a circle, and is used to represent the relationship of each color to one another.
- Hue refers to pure, saturated colors.
- Tint is achieved by incorporating white elements to lighten and desaturate one shade. Hue colors are often much calmer than saturated.
- Tones are achieved by adding a shade of gray, dampening the overall intensity.
- Shades are achieved by adding black parts to one shade, creating a darker shade.
- Saturation refers to overall intensity. Pure hue is more saturated than tint or tone.
- The value refers to the general level of brightness or dimming. A lighter shade has more value than a darker one.
Basic colors
The primary colors are the “original” colors, namely red, yellow and blue. You cannot get any of these colors by mixing other colors.
This powerful triad forms the foundation of color theory as we know it. These three pigments are the basis for building a wide range of colors. When combined, they create secondary and tertiary colors, along with all the shades in between.
Secondary colors
Secondary colors are created from an equal mixture of two separate primary colors. Yellow and blue mix to create green. Yellow and red mix make orange, and blue and red mix make purple.
On the color wheel, the secondary colors are in the middle and equidistant from the two primary colors used to create the scent. The secondary groups are grouped in a triad that creates an inverted equilateral triangle.
Tertiary colors
Tertiary colors are created by combining adjacent primary and secondary hues.
Monochrome color scheme
Monochromatic color schemes focus on one color, often using variations of that shade.
Complementary color scheme
Complementary colors exist on opposite sides of a suit. One color is usually the primary color and the other is the secondary color.
The main complementary colors are usually blue and orange, red and green as well as yellow and purple.
Analogous color scheme
Analogous colors consist of a group of three colors that are adjacent to each other within the color wheel.
This color scheme starts with the base shade and is extended by two adjacent shades. The word “analogous” means closely related, so combinations of these shades have a harmonious appeal.
Triad color scheme
A triad consists of three colors placed equal to each other on the color wheel, making a triangle. Triad color schemes can contain three primary, secondary or tertiary colors.
As with other color schemes, avoid using all three shades in a fully saturated state. Throw in a hint of white, gray or black to make your color scheme pleasing to the eye.
Double complementary (tetrad) color scheme
A double complementary or tetrad color scheme uses two pairs of complementary colors in its scheme.
Split-complementary color schemes
Complementary color schemes that complement each other may look similar to complementary schemes, but this combination involves two adjacent shades of complementary colors, such as yellow paired with blue and red-violet.
This color scheme has similar visual appeal to complementary schemes, but without the intensity.
The right combination of colors
Finding the ideal color combination is a job that requires research and experimentation with tones, shades, values and all the components of color. With the help of these basic color schemes, you will find it easier to find your way in choosing the right color combinations.
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Made by Vladimir Bojić – Senior Graphic Designer @Digitizer
