Graphic designers use color in logos, websites, marketing, and advertising. They need to make sure the colors are harmonious and not overwhelming. Interior designers rely on color theory in selecting decor and colors of paint. Both fine art and design rely heavily on colors to convey meaning and mood. Colors have prescribed meanings, and the choice of color affects the mood and meaning of the final product. Color affects our moods, appetites, and how we feel about people and places.Ĭolor is a very important component of graphic design. Over 90% of the information entering the brain is visual, and it is the primary way that humans interact with their world. The visual cortex is the largest area of the human brain. So why is it so important? Color plays a very important role in our world, even without our realizing it.
The reason for this is most of the color pigments in modern paints are not pure, and some lean more to the “warm” or “cool” side of their spectrum.Īlmost every time you hear about art someone is talking about color theory. Conventional wisdom tells us that mixing red and blue yields purple, but in reality the color will be dull and muddy, not the rich purple you were expecting.
Practical applications on mixing these colors will lead to different and sometimes disappointing results. It is important to know that the foundations of color theory were based around “pure” colors. In this first article, you will learn about color theory as it applies to the color wheel and its definitions.
TERTIARY COLOR WHEEL SERIES
This is the first on a multi-part series about color theory. Color theory is the practical guide on color mixing and color combination.