Understanding color can really enhance your design and more effectively communicate your message. Not only can the colors you use potentially mean a lot, they also will determine the viewers emotional response.
CMYK & RGB COLOR MODES
We use different color modes for different applications. For example if we're design something that will be printed, it will be designed using the CMYK mode. If it will be viewed on a screen like a film, show, or digital signage, we'll use the RGB mode.
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) is what is called the subtractive color process. Simply put, you mix physical pigments like dyes, inks, or paints to create a wider range of colors. Each color is the result of partially or completely subtracting, or absorbing, some wavelengths of light and not others. When 100% Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow are combined, Black is created.
As mentioned above, CMYK is primarily used for designs that will be physically realized, such as posters, invitations, cards, etc.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is known as an additive process, meaning it adds different colors of light to create various other colors. When 100% Red, Green, and Blue are combined, white is created.
Like was mentioned above, RGB colors are primarily used for things appearing on TV screens and computer monitors.
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) is what is called the subtractive color process. Simply put, you mix physical pigments like dyes, inks, or paints to create a wider range of colors. Each color is the result of partially or completely subtracting, or absorbing, some wavelengths of light and not others. When 100% Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow are combined, Black is created.
As mentioned above, CMYK is primarily used for designs that will be physically realized, such as posters, invitations, cards, etc.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is known as an additive process, meaning it adds different colors of light to create various other colors. When 100% Red, Green, and Blue are combined, white is created.
Like was mentioned above, RGB colors are primarily used for things appearing on TV screens and computer monitors.
COLOR PROPERTIES
When we talk about the properties of color, we're really only talking about a few things, namely Hue, Saturation, and Value.
To put it most simply, hue is just a color on the color wheel, such as "red". Hues typically fall into a few different categories: Primary Colors, which consist of red, yellow, and blue; Secondary Colors, which consist of orange, violet, and green; and Tertiary Colors, which consist of red-orange, blue-green, red-violet and so on.
To put it most simply, hue is just a color on the color wheel, such as "red". Hues typically fall into a few different categories: Primary Colors, which consist of red, yellow, and blue; Secondary Colors, which consist of orange, violet, and green; and Tertiary Colors, which consist of red-orange, blue-green, red-violet and so on.
Tints, shades, and tones are variations of hues found on the color wheel. A tint is when you add white to any hue. This will lighten the color. A shade is created when you add black to a hue. This will darken and in some cases intensify a hue. A tone is when you add both black and white to a hue. In most instances, adjusting the tone will also adjust the saturation of a hue.
Saturation refers to the intensity or brightness of a color. A hue will be most vivid in its natural state at 100% saturation. To decrease the saturation, or desaturate a color, simply add gray. When a color is at 0% saturation, all that is left is it's gray component.
Lastly, value refers to the lightness or darkness of the hue or how light or dark a color appears. As already mentioned above, adding white lightens the color; adding black darkens the color.
Lastly, value refers to the lightness or darkness of the hue or how light or dark a color appears. As already mentioned above, adding white lightens the color; adding black darkens the color.
COLOR SCHEMES
Color schemes are relationships of various colors on the color wheel that are aesthetically pleasing and create style and appeal. While there are many different color schemes, we'll only focus on a few of the main ones.
Complimentary: Any 2 colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel.
Analogous: 3-5 adjacent hues on the color wheel.
Triad: Any 3 colors equidistance on the color wheel.
Monochromatic: A single color in a range of hues using tints, tones, and shades.
Analogous: 3-5 adjacent hues on the color wheel.
Triad: Any 3 colors equidistance on the color wheel.
Monochromatic: A single color in a range of hues using tints, tones, and shades.