Every color has powerful emotions associated with it. When you choose a particular color for a layout, you're also choosing the mood or color that goes with it. Listed below are some common colors and the emotions associated with them:
RED can convey a wide range of emotions, including anger, passion, power and excitement. It's the most powerful color and will overshadow any other color on the page unless it's used carefully.
PINK can fit a variety of moods, depending on its value. Hot pinks are energetic and youthful, while lighter pinks are delicate and sweet.
ORANGE is perceived as a "hot" color. It's also considered the most dramatic color -- that's why it's used for road signs! Orange commands attention and tends to convey a youthful feeling.
YELLOW is the color of sunshine, light and warmth. It's usually perceived as a happy, cheerful color. Yellow is unique because it's the only color that becomes brighter the more saturated it becomes.
BROWN is associated with the earth. To some brown may appear "dirty," but to others it evokes a natural, safe feeling.
BLUE usually connotes water or sky. Because both water and air are essential to life, blue is seen as a soothing, stable color. However, in its more saturated shades, blue is energetic and exciting.
GREEN is the color of life. It's also the color that changes mood the most when combined with other colors. For example, blue-green is calming, while yellow-green has more energy.
PURPLE is traditionally associated with royalty and is often perceived as rich and regal. It's also associated with youth and exuberance.
The Color Wheel
The most difficult part of choosing a color scheme is not finding a shade one likes. It's finding a set of colors that go together. This is where a color wheel comes into play. A color wheel makes quick work of making sure your colors fit togetehr by allowing you to link them together in various ways.
The color wheel is divided into three categories: primary, secondary and tertiary.
The three primary colors are red, yellow and blue. These colors are considered to be foundation colors because they are used to create all other colors. By combining two of the primary colors, three secondary colors are formed.
Secondary colors are orange, green and violet. The six tertiary colors are made by combining a primary and an adjacent secondary color. These colors are red-violet, yellow-green, yellow-orange, blue-green, and blue-violet.
Colors are also divided into cool and warm categories. The cool colors are green, blue and violet. Warm colors are red, orange and yellow.
A tint of color is made by adding white and a shade is made by adding black.
Creating a Color Scheme
Some color schemes naturally seem to work together; they likely fall into one of the categories listed below. Knowing what kind of color scheme you're using isn't inherently powerful, but if you know what kind of scheme you're creating, you'll be more likely to create a harmonious layout.
Monochromatic: As its name suggests, a monochromatic color scheme uses only one color. You can create interest by combining an endless number of values of that color. If you're having problems getting your colors to look "just right" together, try starting with a monochromatic scheme. It's the easiest color scheme to use successfully.
Complementary: Complementary colors are those directly opposite each other on the color wheel. When you place these colors next to each other, they tend to create a sense of vibrancy and excitement.
Analogous: Analogous colors are neighboring families on the color wheel, such as green, blue-green, blue and blue-violet. Analogous colors create a harmonious mood and are easy to use because they're related.
Split Complementary: A split complementary scheme uses a main color and the colors on either side of its complement, for example, blue and yellow-orange and red-orange.
Triadic: Triadic colors are three colors at an equal distance from one another on the color wheel. A triadic color scheme creates high contrast on a layout because the colors in a triadic scheme are unlike each other. Be sure to pay attention to the value of the colors wheen choosing a triadic scheme.
Related, Contrasting & Discordant
Related Schemes
Monochromatic -- This color scheme uses a single hue, i.e. red and its varying tints and shades.
Analogous -- This scheme uses adjacent hues, i.e. red, red-orange and red-violet.
Contrastic Schemes
Complementary -- If two hues are opposite each other on the color wheel, they are considered to be complementary colors. When used togetehr in a design they make each other seem brighter and more intense, i.e. red and green.
Split-Complementary -- This color scheme uses three colors: any hue and the two adjacenet to its complement, i.e. red, yellow-green and blue-green.
Triadic -- This scheme also uses three colors. They are evenly spaced from each other, i.e. red, yellow and blue.
Discordant Schemes
Alternate Complement -- This scheme uses four colors: a triad and a complement to one of the hues, i.e. red, yellow, blue and violet.
Double Complement -- This color scheme uses two pairs of complements, i.e. yellow and violet, blue and orange.
Tetrad -- This scheme uses four colors evenly spaced on the wheel. A primary, secondary and two tertiary colors, i.e. red, green, yellow-orange and blue-violet.
Choosing a Color Scheme
Lay out all of the photos you want to include on your layout. You may find a "natural" fit. However, be careful not to choose a color from your photos that will overwhelm them.
Choose a color that "matches" your photos but doesn't make them fade into the layout.
Ensure that the color you choose conveys the right emotion for your photos.
Look for unusual combinations all around you. Also pay attention to color combinations that the "pros" come up with. Magazine ads, TV ads, even paint chips can offer great ideas for combining color!
Limit the number of colors you use on your page. The more color you introduce to your page, the more competition on the page for your focal point. The fewer colors you use, the easier it is to use them well.
Use color in the right proportions on your page. Choose a single main color, then accent with one or two other colors.
You can mix cool and warm colors on the same page, but pay attention to how mixing these colors will affect your layout.
If you're not comfortable creating color schemes, be sure to stick with colors that have the same value (degree of lightness or darkness) and saturation (brilliance or vibrancy).
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