COLORS

Color is an important element of design that shouldn’t be neglected. It gives a certain feeling and personality to
your piece and can be applied to any of the other visual elements. To use this design element right, and choose
the colors best suitable for it, you have to at least get acquainted with the color theory, learn how to use the
color wheel, how to combine multiple colors, and what color schemes evoke certain feelings and emotions.
Color Theory describes how different colors relate to each other, and how they look when they are combined
into many color schemes. An offshoot of color theory is color psychology, which explores colors and emotions.
Combined, these two areas of color knowledge are important information for anyone dealing with colors,
whether you’re a small business owner creating a flyer for an upcoming event, a designer selecting a color
scheme for your next project, or an entrepreneur designing a logo for your newest startup.

The Color Wheel

You’ve probably seen a color wheel in your art classes, or remember the famous acronym “Roy G. Biv” to
remember each color of the rainbow. The color wheel is an illustrative diagram that shows 12 colors around a
circle, used to represent each color’s relationship to one another. Colors arranged opposite each other are
complementary to one another. Colors located near other colors share common characteristics and often pair
well together.

Let’s dive in and explore the different types of hues present on the color wheel.

Primary Colors
Red Yellow and Blue are the three primary colors. From them all other colors can be mixed. The primary colors
cannot be mixed from any other colors. These three hues are the foundation of all color theory

Secondary Colors
Orange, Green and Violet are the three secondary colors. They fall between each of the primaries. Each one is
mixed from the two primaries either side of it.
Tertiary Colors
Tertiary colors fall between any primary color and it’s adjacent secondary. e.g., Blue/Green falls between Blue
and Green. Tertiary colors are mixed from only two Primaries.

Compound Colors
Compound colors are mixed from all three primaries. They are all the Browns, earth colors Khaki’s etc. In this
example mixing between yellow and Violet produces a series of compound colors. They contain varying
mixtures of all three primaries (Violet being a mixture of Red and Blue).

Complementary Colors
Complementary colors are colors directly opposite one another on the color wheel. Maximum color contrast
exists between complementary colors

Saturated Colors
Saturated colors are all the Hues around the outside of the color wheel. They are either primary, secondary or
tertiary colors. They contain no more than two primaries and no black or white.
Tints and Shades
A tint is any color mixed with white.
A shade is any color mixed with black.

Color Schemes
Using the color wheel, you can make any color scheme or combination, but some will look better than others.
Just as colors mix to create new colors, colors can be paired to create visually pleasing combinations. Luckily,
you don’t have to sit for hours trying out every color combination to find on that looks good. You can use tried
and true color schemes to find a combination that works. We’ve gone over the most important color schemes,
plus information on how to use these principles when you’re making color palettes containing multiple hues.

Monochromatic Colors

Monochromatic color schemes focus on a single color, often using variations of that hue by incorporating tints,
tones, and shades. It might sound like a boring palette, but this provides variations in value that add interest and
dimension to your composition.

This color scheme is extremely versatile and easy on the eye. Using many hues in a design can often overwhelm
the viewer and obstruct the design’s tone, but subtle color variations on one hue help to simplify a design
without making it too flat.

Achromatic Colors

Colors that lack chroma and saturation, such as whites, grays, and blacks, are called achromatic. Many artists
prefer to work in achromatic environments because they provide direct indications of value through dramatic
shadows and highlights.
Analogous Colors

Analogous colors are a group of three or four colors that border each other within the color wheel. The word
“analogous” means closely related, so the combination of these hues has a harmonious appeal similar to
monochromatic color schemes.

When picking analogous groups for your composition, keep your palette grounded by using exclusively cool or
warm colors together. Stick to a dominant hue and accentuate with its analogous counterparts. This aurora
borealis color scheme creates a smooth transition from green to blue, which neighbor each other on the color
wheel.

Complementary Colors

Complementary colors exist on opposite sides of the color wheel; one color is usually a primary color and the
other a secondary color. The main complementary colors are blue and orange, red and green, and yellow and
purple.

Pair complements together in a composition for added contrast and visual intensity, as seen below. The
vividness of the orange citrus fruits stand out against a light blue backdrop.
Split-Complementary Colors

Split-complementary color schemes might look similar to complementary schemes, but this combination
incorporates the two neighboring hues of a color’s complement, such as yellow paired with blue violet and red
violet.

This color scheme has a similar visual appeal as complementary schemes, but without the intensity. Bringing in
analogous colors can help to soften the stark contrast of complements.

Double Complementary (Tetradic) Colors

Complementary colors are already intense in nature; double complementary, or tetradic, color schemes up the
ante by using two pairs of complements.

Tetrads, such as yellow and violet paired with green and red, use rich values that are often hard to harmonize.
To keep a balanced composition, choose a dominant color and lower the saturation or intensity of the other
hues.
Triadic Colors

A triad consists of three colors that are placed equidistant from each other on the color wheel, forming an
equilateral triangle as seen below. Triads can include three primary, secondary, or tertiary colors.

Yellow, blue, and red form a vibrant triad that can be difficult to balance. Let one hue shine, like the yellow on
the car below, and accentuate with other triadic hues, such as the blue and red found on the beach gear atop the
car.

A good rule of thumb when designing is to create hierarchy. Instead of allowing colors to fight for the spotlight,
assign a dominant color and then sprinkle with accents.

REFERENCES
Clem, A. (2018, June 18). Complete Guide to Color in Design: Color Meaning, Color Theory, and More.
Shutterstock. Retrieved from https://www.shutterstock.com/blog/complete-guide-color-in-design

Renderforest Staff. (2018, May 18). 7 Elements of Design: Everything You Should Know. Renderforest.
Retrieved from https://www.renderforest.com/blog/elements-of-design

Lovett, J. (2017). Color Elements of Design. John Lovett. Retrieved from https://www.johnlovett.com/color

Khan, A. (2021, September 26). Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Complementary Colors in Design Complete
Color Guide. Designscope. Retrieved from https://www.designiscope.com/post/primary-secondary-and-tertiary-
colors