COMPONENTS OF COLOUR • There are 3 main components of colour:
Hue – Where the colour is found on the colour wheel. The pure colour.
Value – The general light- ness or darkness of a colour. How close to black or white a colour is.
Saturation – The intensity of a colour.
How much colour there is. Level of grey.
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Presentation Notes
Value - is the degree of light and dark in a design. It is the contrast between black and white and all the tones in between. Contrast is the extreme changes between values.
GENERAL ADVICE • Using one colour as the dominant colour, and other colours as
accents creates the most effective schemes in print • Avoid red/green combinations – colour blindness • Reserve bright colours for accents • Context matters!
• How color behaves in relation to other colors and shapes is a complex area of color theory. Compare the contrast effects of different color backgrounds for the same red square.
Save Bright Colours for ‘Accents’
Screen vs. Print
HOW TO CHOOSE COLOUR SCHEME
• Corporate guidelines • Most companies have guidelines for colour
• Black + One • All colours go well with black • Bright colours + pale grey • Pale colours + dark grey
• No colour • Black + grey + white
• Nature • Colour wheel
HOW TO CHOOSE COLOUR SCHEME • Complementary colours lie directly across one another on
the wheel
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Presentation Notes
Because the colours are directly opposite each other, they are at the highest contrast this creates a vibrant look especially when used at full saturation. This colour scheme must be managed well so it is not jarring, generally by using more of one colour and accenting with the second.
Teal and Orange
HOW TO CHOOSE COLOUR SCHEME • Split complementary colours takes a regular complementary
scheme and replaces one of the colours with its neighbours
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Presentation Notes
This colour scheme has the same strong visual contrast as the complementary colour scheme, but with less tension. This colour scheme is a good choice for beginners, because it always looks great!
HOW TO CHOOSE COLOUR SCHEME • Analogous colours lie right next to each other
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Presentation Notes
Analogous colour schemes are often found in nature and tend to be harmonious and pleasing to the eye. Make sure you have enough contrast when choosing an analogous colour scheme. Choose one colour to dominate, a second to support, and the third colour as an accent.
HOW TO CHOOSE COLOUR SCHEME • Monochromatic colours lie in the same hue and are
extended using its shades, tones and tints
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Presentation Notes
The energy of a monochromatic palette is more subtle and peaceful due to a lack of contrast of hue.
HOW TO CHOOSE COLOUR SCHEME • Triadic colours are evenly spaced around the colour wheel
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Presentation Notes
Triadic colour harmonies tend to be quite vibrant, even if you use pale or unsaturated versions of your colours. For the most success with this colour scheme the colours should be carefully balanced; let one colour dominate and use the two others for accent.
HOW TO CHOOSE COLOUR SCHEME • A tetradic colour scheme is basically two complementary
pairs put together
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Presentation Notes
This rich colour scheme offers plenty of possibilities for variation. You should pay special attention to the balance of colours. This scheme tends to be difficult to harmonize and requires one colour to dominate or subdue the other colours. When using the tetradic colour scheme you should also pay close attention to the balance between warm and cool colours in your design.
