Color Theory

Color is a powerful tool in graphic design. It can be used to attract attention, evoke emotion and help a design look aesthetically pleasing. But what colors should be used? In order to choose the right colors and colors combinations, it is important that the graphic designer have a basic understanding of color theory. Color theory is the study of color in art and design, their relationship with each other and principles used to create harmonious color schemes.

The concept of the color wheel was invented by Sir Issac Newton in 1666 when he bent the color spectrum, or the range of all visible light into the shape of a circle. It is circular diagram used to visually show the relationship between colors and can be used to logically choose color schemes.

Primary Colors

These are red, blue and yellow. These three colors are the most basic colors on the color wheel. They cannot be made from any other colors but all other colors on the color wheel are made from them.

Secondary Colors

These are green, orange and purple. They are formed by mixing equal amounts of the two primary colors that are beside them on the color wheel. They can be used together to create a nicely balanced color scheme.

Tertiary Colors

These are blue-green, yellow-orange, red-purple and blue-purple. They are formed by mixing a primary color and a secondary color together. Tertiary colors helps create a wider color pallette.

Tints and Shades

Lighter versions of colors are formed by adding black and are called shades. This is illustrated on the color wheel by adding two inner rings for tints and two outer rings for shades. The middle ring is the blue

Monochromatic Colors

These are colors with variations in tint and shade such as green, light green and dark green. Although there is very little variety in this colors, they can be used to create a simple, clean and elegant color scheme with minimum contrast.