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 INDEX
Ch. No. Chapter Pg. No.

1. Introduction 01

2. The Color Wheel 03

3. The Color Terms 05

4. The Color Schemes 07

5. Color Psychology 11

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Color  Concepts  
Introduction
Color is nothing but reflected light of a particular wavelength or frequency. It is produced when light strikes
an object and it reflects back to the eye.
 
Color is also an essential part of Art and Design. As color is capable of creating visual sensation and
evokes emotions, it becomes a very important tool for expression as well as a medium for communication.
Colors are used to express feelings like calmness or excitement, boldness or passiveness, sadness or
happiness, masculine or feminine, mature or childish, etc.
 
Line and shapes are the two primary elements constituting the body of design, while color is the soul of
design and is deeply rooted in human emotions. Everyone has his/her favourite colors. This is usually
expressed during childhood. Color preferences tend to stay with us pretty much throughout our lives.
Historically, color has always been used in many ways; for distinction by using different color clothes,
identification by using coloured flags, designation of rank through different color uniforms, etc.

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Color is a phenomenon so rich and complex in scope that it touches on most human activity. Art,
symbolism, communication, industry, physics, biology, psychology, sociology – virtually every field you can
name is concerned with it. Color is central to identifying all cultures, ancient and modern, and information
on the subject can be culled from countless, diversified sources.

Color is an essential part of architecture. Color is never something independent. It impinges on our every
waking moment and penetrates our dreams. There is color in daylight, in the sky and in the landscape, in
our skin, hair and eyes. Every object we manufacture to wear or use is colored. All the materials used in
building, whether natural or synthetic, are colored in some way.

Color  Concepts  
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Among all the aspects of interior design, color is one of the most important, perhaps the most important
element. It affects us emotionally, making things warm or cold, provocative or sympathetic, exciting or
tranquil. Color enriches the world and a colorless world is almost unimaginable. But what is color?

Color is light: We see the world as constant and unchanging, the brain reduces our awareness of the
ceaseless, subtle changes in the colors of daylight. The colors in light are manifest in the blue of the sky
and ocean and in the red and gold glow of dawns and sunsets.

Color is pigment: Even the color of a

pigment is the light it reflects. Whenever we
see color we are seeing colored light, for
pigments have a special ability to absorb
certain wavelengths from the light that falls
on them and to reflect others to the eye.

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Color is a sensation: The sense of sight
functions only when light reaches the eye.
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The simplest most primitive organisms

react to light, moving towards it or away
from it. Until it reaches the brain, color does
not exist.

Color is information: We stop at red lights

and move on when they change to green .
We use color to identify objects. Color
helps us to diagnose illness and recognize
anger, fear, embarrassment.  

Color  Concepts  
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Chapter 1: The Color Wheel

Color Wheel is a combination of Primary Colors, Secondary Colors and Tertiary Colors. All the 12 colors in
the color wheel can be obtained from the Primary colors.

 
(Hint: In case remembering all the 12 colors seems difficult, just remember the 3 primary colors and derive
the remaining 9 colors from it)

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Color  Concepts  
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Primary Colors:
 
The three primary colors are the colors we need to make the other colors. They are the foundation of the
color wheel. All other colors are mixed from them.
The three colors are Red, Blue and Yellow.  
 

Secondary Colors:
 
The three secondary colors are Purple, Green and Orange. They are derived from the primary colors.

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Red + Blue = Purple

Blue + Yellow = Green
Red + Yellow = Orange

Tertiary Colors:
 
The six tertiary colors are derived from Primary and the Secondary Colors. They are called the ‘two-name’
colors.

Yellow-Orange
Red-Orange
Red-Purple
Blue-Purple
Blue-Green
Yellow-Green

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Chapter 2: The Color Terms
Hue:
 
A ‘Hue’ is different from a ‘Color’ though both terms are used as synonyms. A color can have a mixture of
black or white in it, but a hue is a pure color without any addition of black or white. For example if Red +
White = Pink, here Pink and Red are both Colors whereas only Red is a Hue. All the colors on the color
wheel are hues. Hues are intense, bright, cheery and untainted colors. These are the colors of children’s
toys, day care decor and the summer clothes.
 
Tints:
 
Tints are created when you add white to any hue on the color wheel. This will lighten and desaturate the
hue, making it less intense. Tints are often referred to as pastel colors, and many feel they are calmer,
quieter colors.

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Warm Colors: Cool Colors:

 
The Warm colors are six colors in the color wheel The Cool colors are the six colors in the color wheel
made with orange, red, yellow and combinations of made with blue, green and light purple. They can
these and similar colors. As the name indicates, calm and soothe. Where warm colors remind us of
they tend to make you think of warm things, such heat and sunshine, cool colors remind us of water
as sunlight and heat. Visually, warm colors look as and sky, even ice and snow. Unlike warm colors,
though they come closer, or advance (as do dark cool colors look as though they recede, making them
colors), which is why they’re often used to make great for small rooms you want to appear larger. If
large rooms seem cozier. If you have a huge you have a tiny bedroom or powder room that you
bedroom that you want to look more intimate, try want to enlarge visually, try painting a color such as
painting it a warm color such as terracotta or brown light blue to make it seem more spacious.
to make it feel cozier.

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Exercises:
 
1.  Complete the color wheel, consisting of the 12 basic colors using only the 3 primary
pencil colors (red, yellow and blue).

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2. Complete the following

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Chapter 3: The Color Schemes

Complementary Colors:
 
Complementary color combinations make things stand out. These colors are "opposite" colors. They are
opposite each other on the color wheel.
 
They are geographically and color-wise the opposite.
You might even notice that some of your favourite sport teams use complementary colors. From football to
hockey, opposite colors are used for some great color combinations.

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When the human eye sees a painting full of different kinds of greens, any bit of red is going to stand out
amazingly well. Why?
 
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Because red is the opposite color of green. When the eye has been looking at a lot of the same color, it
wants to see the opposite for a visual break. Using complementary colors is the easiest way to get
something to stand out. Use them with caution to keep your content from being too visually jarring.
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Other examples of Complementary Colors in the Color Wheel are:

For example, what colors do you see below ?

It’s mainly blue, but our most important

button, the “Get Started Free Now” button,
is orange. Orange is the opposite color of
blue. In a sea of dark blue, your eye is
going to naturally notice orange faster than
any other color. We also ensured that the
orange button contrasted from the dark
blue to make it even more visually present.

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Split Complementary Colors:
 
If you want to use three colors instead of just two, using split complementary color schemes is a way to
capitalize on the power of complementary colors but add a third color to your palette. To use it, you’ll
choose one color as your base color, and then the two colors adjacent to its opposite.
 
A split complementary color scheme doesn’t have quite the same level of tension that a complementary
color scheme does, but it’s still visually exciting for your eye. It also adds a level of variety to your color
scheme that can be used in a very dynamic, meaningful way.

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For example, if we decided to choose green as our main color, we'd look across the color wheel for its
complementary color, red. Then, look to the two colors directly beside it. Now, we have green, red-orange,
and red-purple for a perfect split complementary color scheme.

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Analogous Color Scheme:
 
Analogous colors sit next to each other on the color wheel. They are "related", a kind of family of colors that
creates pleasing and relaxed visuals. They aren't jarring, opposite, or clashing. They also don't stand out
from one another. Analogous colors can create subtle and beautiful content, but you may need to add a
complementary color to get any particular item to stand out.

Monochromatic Color Scheme:

Monochromatic colors are a single color, with its tints, shades, and tones. They are even more soft and
subtle than analogous colors since it’s a color palette based on one single color. Monochromatic colors
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work great when paired with a single complementary color.
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Achromatic Color Scheme:

Shown in this photograph in a very

popular format, the black and white
checkerboard flooring creating a
stunning contrast to the floor and
grounding the color scheme, then
the remainder of the room is a crisp
and fresh white, with a black dado
decorative tile and black diamond
tile insert into the tiles creating a
feature to the walls and lowering the
extreme height of the ceiling
somewhat.

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Triangle (Triad), Rectangle (Tetradic), Square Color Schemes:
A triangle (triad) is a color A rectangle (tetradic) is a A square is similar to a rectangle
combination made of three color combination made of four palette, but the two sets of
colors that are evenly spaced colors that are made up of two complementary pairs are colors
around the color wheel. complementary pairs. evenly spaced around the circle.

These three combinations can be visually noisy if you're not careful. The best application is to use one color
as the dominant color, and the others for highlighting content. The triangle combination is particularly
vibrant; three is a "stable" number and using three colors is visually stabilizing.
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Chapter 4: The Color Psychology
Color is an essential tool because it has an impact on how we think and behave. Color directs our eye
where to look, what to do, and how to interpret something. It puts content into context. It helps us decide
what's important and what's not. That's precisely why, as a content marketer, you need to understand what
colors mean to people.

We don't all react the same way to colors, as we all have previous experiences with colors from significant
events, cultures, people, and memories. However, there are a few generalities about how people respond
to color, and that's what we're going to look at.

Red is a very powerful, dynamic color that reflects

our physical needs whether to show affection and love,
or to portray terror, fear, and survival. Red is also a
very energizing color that can portray friendliness and
strength, but can also be demanding and show
aggression depending on its context.
Overall, if you're looking to have a really powerful
RED
presence or get someone's attention fast, red is your
go-to color. Just remember to use it sparingly to avoid
the extreme negative reactions it can so easily
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awaken.
Red is commonly seen: Stop lights, Valentine's Day,
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and horror films.
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Orange has a very interesting psychological

meaning as it combines red's power and energy with
yellow's friendliness and fun. The mix makes orange a
good representation of physical comfort in our warmth,
food, and shelter. (It even stimulates our appetite so
watch out if you're hungry!) Orange is also known to
be a color of motivation, lends a positive attitude, and
ORANGE
general enthusiasm for life. Overall, orange is great for
bringing comfort in tough times, and creating a sense
of fun or freedom in your visuals.
Orange is commonly seen: Fruits, sporting events, and
board games.

Yellow is the epitome of joy, happiness,

cheerfulness, optimism—you name it. Anything happy
is almost always yellow. The wavelength of yellow is
particularly long, making it have one of the most
powerful psychological meanings, while also being the
easiest color to visibly see. (Did you know yellow is the
first color infants respond to?)
Whenever you need to lift someone's spirits, increase YELLOW
their confidence, or provide inspiration, use yellow.
However, avoid using yellow too much because it's
also known to make us more critical causing self
esteem issues, fear, or anxiety. Find the right balance
of yellow to motivate rather than bring others down.
Yellow is commonly seen: Traffic crossings and signs,
smiley faces, and window-front displays.
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Gold has quite a few different meanings depending
on your culture. Across the world, though, gold
consistently represents some variation of charm,
confidence, luxury, and treasure. It also can have an
element of friendliness, abundance, and prosperity that
is naturally attractive. Too much gold, however, can
seem egotistical, proud, and self-righteous. Similar to
GOLD
colors like brown and black, try to use gold more
sparingly to highlight rather than be the main
attraction.
Gold is commonly seen: Luxury products, rings, and
trophies.
Green is a color of balance and harmony. It lends
us a clearer sense of right from wrong since green
incorporates a balance of both the logical and
emotional. Green is one of the most-seen colors in
nature reflecting life, rest, and peace. It is also a sign
of growth, whether that's in a physical object like plants
or in our income and wealth.
Overall, if you're looking to portray health, rest, and to GREEN
relieve stress, green is your color. While green does
have minor negative aspects like over-possession and
materialism, it has a more positive affect than most
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other colors.
Green is commonly seen: Nature, economic exchange,
health-based stores, and restaurants.
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Blue is known for its trust and dependability. It's
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reliable, responsible, and mentally soothing. For that

reason alone, it's one of the most-liked colors across
the entire world.
Unlike red, blue lends a more mental reaction rather
than physical that allows us to destress, calm down,
and think of the most ideal situation. Unfortunately, it
also is one of the last colors to be seen, and can be
perceived as distant, cold, or unfriendly if used it great
amounts.
BLUE
Overall, blue is a well-liked color that can bring a
sense of calmness and trust when building
relationships, especially in marketing.
Blue is commonly seen: Workout facilities, hospitals,
and spas.

Purple is commonly known for its imagination and

spirituality. It possesses the energy and power of red,
with the stability and reliability of blue, making it a
perfect balance between the physical and spiritual.
Purple is often used to show luxury, loyalty, courage,
mystery, magic.
It's a very intriguing color as it soothes, but also
presents space for mystery and new ideas. This is why
creativity is most often associated with the color
PURPLE
purple. When using purple, avoid using it too often as it
can also cause too much distraction as thoughts begin
to wonder.
Purple is commonly seen: Magic shows, fairy tales,
and luxury products.
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Pink is a softer, less intense version of red that
creates a sense of compassion and unconditional love.
While it's a very physical color, it soothes rather than
stimulates, making it a perfect color for caring,
understanding, and nurturing those in need.
Pink is a sign of hope. It is also known to be very
romantic as it shows empathy and sensitivity. If too
much pink is used, it can be very draining, show a lack
PINK
of power, and even immature. Overall, pink can be a
great counter-option to the color red when used
appropriately.
Pink is commonly seen: Cancer patients, little kid
objects, and bathroom products.

Brown may not be the most visually stimulating

color, but is a great sign of structure, security, and
protection. Whether it's family, friends, and material
possessions, brown offers constant support.It's also a
very serious, down to earth color you can use where
black might be too intense. The downfall to brown is
that it's the most safe color and can seem reserved, BROWN
scheduled, and boring. Overall, use it when necessary,
but don't depend on it too heavily.
Brown is commonly seen: Campgrounds, home
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furnishings, and coffee shops.
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Black is a color of sophistication, seriousness,
control, and independence. Although, it can also be
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used to show evil, mystery, depression, and even

death. Black is a very reserved color that completely
lacks any light as its an absence of all the colors. It
likes to stay hidden, in control, and separate from
others. For this reason, black is a great color for high
contrast and easy legibility. Unfortunately, since it’s a
BLACK
very powerful color, too much black can cause
sadness and overall negativity so use it sparingly and,
in your text, more so than the visuals itself.
Black is commonly seen: Professional attire, luxury
products, and limos.

White is color that is complete and pure, making it a

perfect example of purity, innocence, cleanliness, and
peace. White can also represent new beginnings,
providing a blank slate, and gives refreshment for new
ideas. Since white has an equal balance of all the
colors, it can exemplify several meanings, with equality
outweighing them all. White is a great color for
simplicity, cleanliness, and idea creation; however, WHITE
avoid using too much white as it can cause isolation,
loneliness, and emptiness.
White is commonly seen: Weddings, website
backgrounds, and doctor's waiting rooms.

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NURTURING NEUTRALS:
• These colors create a sense of peace and well being.

• They foster quiet conversation with family and friends and can dispel loneliness.

• They can be used all by themselves or can be combined with other “mood” colors.

• Colors which impart a sense of warmth and serenity come directly from the earth.

• In addition to the earth colors in the neutral group are colors associated with the sea such as sand, shell,
coral, pearl, stone and seaweed.

• Green is a color which helps us to adjust to new environments and situations.

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INTELLECTUAL - SHARP, WITTY, UNIQUE:
• These are colors which convey a message that the owner has traveled, is well-read and has something to
say.
• These colors will command respect without being overbearing.
• Grey is a color which promotes creativity and will often be found in the foundation of an intellectual palette.
• These grays will be gentle and warm. They will function as a background for other colors in the palette and
will go unnoticed themselves.
• Some tones of blues suggest communication and trust, so it will naturally be found in the intellectual
palette.
• Navy blues will often find their way in to these palettes, but the effect will be warm and never cold and
fragile.
• Reds appear in the intellectual palette, but the shades will be earthy and complicated such as burgundy,
cranberry and oxblood.
• A clear primary red would not appear in these palettes.
• Other colors which maybe used in the intellectual palette are clove, cinnamon stick, celadon, driftwood,
dolphin, snow white, sandalwood and puce (a deep red to grayish purple).

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PLAYFUL – EXCITING & FUN:

• Primary colors suggest a child‟s room begging for laughter and play.
• In order to create this look, a higher level of contrast is required.
• Cool whites are often used in these palettes to separate the stronger hues and allow the eyes to articulate
the space.
• Used in active spaces within the home, a playful palette can add energy and vitality.
• If overdone, this type of palette becomes irritating and stressful.
• The foundation for this type of palette is white.
• Then comes the energy of bubble gum pink, buttercup, chartreuse, teal, wintergreen and all the berry
colors (blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, cherry, etc.), opalescents, pearlescents and the crayon colors.
• Many of these colors will be cool and even in lighter tones there will be brightness and clarity.
• In creating this kind of palette, the colors should suggest a sense of freedom, play and downright fun.

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ROMANTIC – SENSUAL:
• In interior design, a less intense, softer tone of red is far more conducive to romance than the pure hue.
• Often referred to as pinks, these colors vary from cool to warm and from light to dark.
• Tones maybe as delicate as dusty pink, shell or blush and as passionate as magenta, pomegranate and
lipstick.
• Pinks have an interesting quality that seems to halt the body‟s ability to stay angry.
• Purple is another color which is definitely romantic because of its passionate, unpredictable and quixotic
characteristics.
• Paler, less intense tones of orange such as apricot and peach are often included in the romantic palette,
suggesting purity and innocence.
• Blues in the romantic palette will be cool and inspired by water. Strong medium tones like periwinkle and
light teal are popular choices.

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Exercises:
1.  Keeping Color Psychology in mind, color the figures given below such that fig.A is very attractive and
tempting and fig.B is unattractive and not at all tempting.

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2. Select a theme from the list given below. Use 3. Within the grid provided depict any one of the
color pencils to fill each grid with colors which in following words. You can use color pencils.
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your view gives the feeling of the theme you have Indicate clearly the colors used by you. Also give
selected. You may use as many colors as you the reason for the choice of colors briefly.
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like. There should be no overlapping of colors. Themes: Enthusiasm, Harmony, Shock, Trust,
Each box can have only one color. Also give the Joy, Fear.
reason for the choice of colors briefly.
Themes:Decay of a flower, Winter Season

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 4. Fill the combination of two given colours in the empty circle.

-Tints -Sum of “Complimentory” colors

RED + WHITE = BLUE + ORANGE =

YELLOW + WHITE = YELLOW + VIOLET =

BLUE + WHITE = RED + GREEN =

-Achrome -Secondary
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BLACK + WHITE = RED + YELLOW =
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-Shade
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RED + BLUE =
RED + BLACK =

BLUE + YELLOW =
YELLOW + BLACK =
-Tertiary

BLUE + BLACK = RED + ORANGE =

-Tone

RED + VIOLET =
RED + GRAY =

YELLOW + GREEN =
BLUE + GRAY =

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5. Using appropriate colors, color the figures given below such that fig.A is very studious and serious and
and fig.B is playful.

A B

6. Draw three circles and innovatively divide it into three parts and fill with any three different color
schemes.

7. Depict graphically the voice of Amitabh Bachaan and Lata Mangeshkar. Use color.
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8. Draw any one of the following in 3 stages:

• Stages of growth of a fruit
• Stages of decay of a flower
You can use color.

9. Below is an image of a pair of Shoes. Color the shoes to depict the following two expressions – Angry
on the left shoe and Friendly on the right shoe.

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10. With in the grid provided depict the following words. You can use color pencils Grids provided.
Night, Surprise, Railway Station, Village festival, Spicy food, Sky, Forest, innocence, jealous, enthusiasm,
harmony, shock, trust, joy, fear.
 
Also give reason for the choice of colors briefly.

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