Understanding Color Theory In Graphic Design.
Color is one of the essential elements in the field of design. It can provoke, evoke, and stir emotions in humans. Different colors stimulate different kinds of emotions. But the catch is to use them cautiously, and the interface should be in visual harmony with other elements. It gets essential to understand the role of color theory in all fields of design. Let’s start with graphic design.
What is graphic design?
Graphic design is the art of creating visual content to meet users’ needs, communicate specific messages, or solve a problem statement. Graphic designers use elements like colors, typography, images to convey the necessary information and make it a cherishable experience.
What is color theory?
Color Theory is a set of rules and guidelines we follow to create an aesthetic and harmonious color combination that is pleasing to the eyes and resourceful to use. It comprises segments like- Color Wheel, color schemes, and color harmony. Let’s look at the various color schemes available.
What is the color wheel?
After combining the colors, the wheel that displays the relationship between various colors and the color schemes is coined as a color wheel. There are three categories of colors on the color wheel; the Primary Colors are Red, Yellow, Blue, Secondary Colors are Mixing the three primary colors- Orange, Green, Purple, and Tertiary colors combine primary and secondary- Yellow+Orange, Red+Orange, Red+Purple, Blue+Purple, Blue+Green, Yellow+Green.
Various color schemes
Different color schemes can be formed based on how you would want to combine the colors. Let’s read about some of the basics of them.
Complementary Color Scheme
The color scheme formed by combining the opposite colors on the color wheel is complementary. E.g., red and green. They create a high-contrast color scheme.
Analogous Color Scheme
The color scheme formed by using the colors placed adjacent to each other is an analogous color scheme. One of the colors is used as the dominant, and the second to use as a supporting color. The third color acts as an accent to the entire scheme. E.g., blue-green, green.
Triadic Color Scheme
The color scheme formed by using the colors placed equidistantly on the wheel is triadic. It is the standard color scheme used by designers. It produces a vibrant color scheme. Ensure to maintain the balance. Eg-Purple, Green, and Orange.
How to use the color scheme in graphic design?
Using a color scheme efficiently in graphic design can influence the purchase of the buyer. Companies are utter careful while creating logos. It helps them in building their brand identity as each color has its emotional impact.
Blue leaves a calm and more professional impact. It is mainly used by the education, finance, and IT sector.
Black stands for elegance, stability. It is used by Gaming, design, and the fashion industry.
Pink reflects femininity and a sense of emotions and comfort. It is used by the fashion or toy industry.
Red is used for drawing attention and even a signal of danger or warning. Fire trucks are all red. The food and entertainment industry also uses a lot of red.
Yellow generates a positive emotion and symbolizes hope. It is used by the travel and food industry as well.
These were some examples. All color generates emotions, and it is necessary to choose which connects best with your user. Graphic design is all about connecting with the user and creating interfaces that add value to the product they are using.
Here are some of the links for your reference. They will surely help you in choosing the correct color suiting your needs.
ProCreator is an award-winning UI/UX Design agency in Mumbai, focusing on establishing an end-to-end product solution, from product design to development.
Originally Published at ProCreator Blog, Written by — Rajat Bagree.
