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Element of design

COLOR

Introduction

Definition of color

Types of colorsColor harmonies-color schemes

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Color is what surrounds us, what ourenvironment is. Everywhere, we wagerthere is color, and this affects our mind.

Most designers agree that color is themost significant design element.

Color has an immediate and profoundeffect on a design.

Color can be used to expressindividuality, set a mood, create anillusion, or actually affect thetemperature of a room.

When color is combined with the otherdesign elements, the possibilitiesbecome much more exciting.

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Color is considered the mostimportant element of design.

Each color has three characteristics:hue, value, and intensity.

Hue is the name of a color. Red, green and blue-violet are

examples of hues.

A color may be lightened ordarkened, brightened or dulled, butthe hue will remain the same.

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VALUE is the lightnessor darkness of a hue.

The value of a hue canbe made lighter byadding white. Thisproduces a TINT.

Pink is a tint of red,

made by adding whiteto red.

A hue can be madedarker by adding black.This produces a SHADE.

Maroon is a shade ofred.

TONES - adding gray toa pure hue:

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Intensity is the brightness or dullness of a

hue.

A color is at full intensity when not mixed

with black or white - a pure hue.

the intensity of a color can be changed by

making it duller or more neutral by

adding gray to the color.

the intensity of a color can be changed by

adding its complement (this is the color

found directly opposite on the traditionalcolor wheel).

When changing colors this way, the color

produced is called a tone.

When complementary colors are mixed

together, a dull tone is produced.

When complementary colors are placed

side by side, you increase their intensity.

This effect is called simultaneous contrast

- each color simultaneously intensifies

the visual brightness of the other color.

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The color wheel or color circle is the

basic tool for combining colors.

The first circular color diagram was

designed by Sir Isaac Newton in1666.

The color wheel is designed so that

virtually any colors you pick from it

will look good together.

Over the years, many variations ofthe basic design have been made,

but the most common version is a

wheel of 12 colors based on the RYB

(or artistic) color model.

Traditionally, there are a number of

color combinations that are

considered especially pleasing.

These are called color harmonies or

color chords and they consist of two

or more colors with a fixed relation

in the color wheel.

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PRIMARY colors-yellow, red and blue. (colors that can not be made by mixing other

colors.

SECONDARY colors- purple, green and orange (colors mixed from a combination of any

two primary colors)

TERTIARY colors are created by mixing primary and secondary colors.

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WARMAND COOL COLORS

The color circle can be divided into warm and cool colors.

Warm colors are vivid and energetic, and tend to advance in space.

Cool colors give an impression of calm, and create a soothing impression.

White, black and gray are considered to be neutral.

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Colors associated with the sun i.eheat and fire: red, orange andyellow.

Creates cozy atmosphere. Colors appear closer (or advance);

room appears smaller.

warm colors can be used to highlighta specific wall in the room. They arebest used in a long passage (like acorridor) or rooms that are large in

size.

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Cool colors represent nature:blue, green, violet.

Creates a calm and restfulfeeling.

Cool colors recede (move away)making the space appear larger.

They generally look good in

rooms that receive direct

sunlight.

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NEUTRAL COLORS:

Colors NOT found on the colorwheel.

Includes: Black, Gray, White, Beige,

Tan, Brown.

Blends well with other colors.

Safer color choice; easy to live withand easy to change accent colors.

ACCENTED NEUTRAL

Adding a small amount of color to a

neutral color scheme.

Provides contrast and interest.

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MONOCHROMATIC :

A monochromatic color scheme consists of a single color that is either left

pure, ormixed with white, gray, or black. i.e

The use of one color. May use tints and shades.

May combine with a neutral.

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COMPLEMENTARY COLOR SCHEME

Colors that are opposite each other on

the color wheel are considered to be

complementary colors (example: red and

green).

The high contrast of complementary

colors creates a vibrant look especially

when used at full saturation. This color

scheme must be managed well so it is

not jarring. Complementary color schemes are tricky

to use in large doses, but work well

when you want something to stand out.

Complementary colors are really bad for

text.

A complimentary color scheme willinclude shades of two colors that are the

compliment of one another. For

example, a color scheme based on

shades of red and green would comprise

a complimentary color scheme.

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ANALOGOUS COLOR SCHEME

Analogous color schemes use colorsthat are next to each other on thecolor wheel. They usually match welland create serene and comfortabledesigns.

Analogous color schemes are oftenfound in nature and are harmoniousand pleasing to the eye.

For example, an analogous colorscheme may include blue-violet, blueand blue-green. Alternatively, a colorscheme that includes violet, blue andgreen would also be an analogouscolor scheme.

There has to be enough contrastbetween colors when choosing ananalogous color scheme.

Choose one color to dominate, asecond to support. The third color isused (along with black, white or gray)as an accent.

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TRIADIC COLOR SCHEME

A triadic color scheme usescolors that are evenly

spaced around the color

wheel.

Triadic color schemes tend

to be quite vibrant, even if

you use pale or unsaturated

versions of your hues.

To use a triadic harmony

successfully, the colorsshould be carefully

balanced - let one color

dominate and use the two

others for accent.

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SPLIT-COMPLEMENTARY COLOR

SCHEME

The split-complementary color

scheme is a variation of the

complementary color scheme. In

addition to the base color, it uses

the two colors adjacent to its

complement.

This color scheme has the same

strong visual contrast as the

complementary color scheme, but

has less tension.

The split-complimentary color

scheme is often a good choice for

beginners, because it is difficult to

mess up.

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RECTANGLE (TETRADIC) COLORSCHEME

The rectangle or tetradiccolor scheme uses four colorsarranged into twocomplementary pairs.

This rich color scheme offersplenty of possibilities forvariation.

Tetradic color schemes worksbest if you let one color be

dominant. You should also pay attention

to the balance betweenwarm and cool colors in yourdesign.

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SQUARE COLOR SCHEME

The square color scheme issimilar to the rectangle,

but with all four colors

spaced evenly around the

color circle.

Square color schemes

works best if you let one

color be dominant.

You should also pay

attention to the balance

between warm and cool

colors in your design.

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