Color Theory Notes

Color Theory Notes  Desktop Publishing for the Competent User: Projects You Can Use Part II

I. Color Vocabulary

1. Color is a phenomenon of perception caused by the partial ability of our eyes to recognize different wavelengths of light. 2. HSB is a standard method of describing color. (Hue, Saturation, Brightness) a. Hue is what artists call color. (blue, orange, green, etc...) b. Saturation refers to how pure a color is. If a contrasting color is added, (add some red to pure green) the saturation is decreased. c. Brightness refers to how dark or light a hue appears. i. A shade is a darkened hue. (black is added to the hue) ii. A tint is a lightened hue. (white is added to the hue) 3. Primary Colors in art are red, blue, and yellow. 4. Primary Colors in science (technology) are red, green, and blue (RGB). 5. In terms of designing for print or web: a. Print: CMYK refers to the four standard printing inks. (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, BlacK) b. Web: RGB refers to the three colors of dots used by monitors to show color. 6. Color Wheel represents the color spectrum. 7. Complementary Colors are opposite each other on the color wheel and provide high contrast. 8. Split Complementary Colors are colors adjacent to a single color on the color wheel. 9. Harmonious Colors also know as Analogous colors lie between two primary colors on the color wheel and provide less contrast.

Complementary Split Complementary Harmonious Colors Colors Colors

Things you should know when choosing color:  for better readability, use a light background with dark text or a dark background with light text  on average, 10% of men are color blind and have difficulty interpreting certain colors  colors can set the mood; match your color choices to your goal or purpose in designing a document or making a presentation 1 II. Use Color to Convey Meaning or Set a Mood Use the information at FactMonster.com to complete the table below.

Mood, Meaning, or Connotation Color luxury, wealth, and sophistication; artificial authority and power; submission; evil cheerful; enhances concentration; speeds metabolism love; emotionally intense; attracts attention calming and refreshing; nature; fertility innocence and purity; sterility peaceful and tranquil; cold and depressing; increases productivity; decreases appetite romantic and tranquil solid and reliable; genuineness; sad and wistful Restaurants will use this color for decorating because it is an appetite stimulant.

III. The Color Wheel Use the color wheel in the on the previous page to help you with the task below. Fill in the circles of the color wheel below with the appropriate colors and change the text to the right to the same font color. Numbers 1 and 3 have been done for you as an example.

1. Yellow 12 1 2. Yellow-Orange 11 2 3. Orange 4. Red-Orange 10 3 5. Red 6. Red-Purple 7. Purple 9 4 8. Blue-Purple 9. Blue 8 5 10. Blue-Green 7 6 11. Green 12. Yellow-Green

2 IV. Essential Knowledge: Go to ColorMatters.com to answer the questions on Basic Color Theory. Double click on the red type and replace it with your answer.

1. What are the primary colors? Type my answer here Why are primary colors important? answer 2. What are the secondary colors? answer How are secondary colors formed? answer 3. What are the tertiary colors? answer How are tertiary colors formed? answer 4. What are analogous colors? answer Give an example of analogous colors? answer 5. What are complimentary colors? answer Give an example of complimentary colors? answer 6. Which provide more contrast, analogous or complimentary colors? answer 7. Aside from using the color wheel, where can we look to find harmonious color combinations? answer

V. Finding Complimentary Colors Use the color wheel you made to find complementary color pairs. Step 1: Type the name of one color in its own color inside of the box. Step 2: Change the outline of the box with that same color of text. Step 3: Fill the box with the complementary color from the pair.

Example: Yellow and purple are complimentary colors, they are opposite of each other on the color wheel.

Yellow Color Name

Purple Color Name

Color Name Color Name