Here is a color theory for all designers. Color theory is a vast and vital topic in the world of art and design. It seems too complicated. Even the websites are scattered. No one color theory blog gives the complete information in a logical flow.
You may use this blog to make your color theory fundamentals strong or use it as a cheat sheet. Let’s begin.
Color theory basics
Let us begin with color theory terms.
Color theory wheel.
The interesting part is that a designer did not give the basis of all color theory, the wheel. It was the celebrated mathematician and physicist, Sir Issac Newton. Newton presented the first color wheel in the seventeenth century.
He believed that the white light is a combination of all seven colors of the rainbow.
color theory primary colors
The primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. You can never form the primary colors by mixing other colors.
Out of these, red and yellow are warm colors whereas blue is a cool color. (More on color temperature later in this blog. )
Color theory secondary colors
When you mix two primary colors, you get a secondary color. Secondary colors are green, orange, and purple. Orange is a warm color whereas purple and green are cool colors.
A six color wheel shows only the primary and secondary colors. We can demarcate the color wheel into warm and cool colors.
Note that we form green and purple when we mix warm and cool colors.
Green = yellow (warm) + blue (cool)
Purple = red (warm) + blue (cool)
So, instead of calling them cool colors, we should call them transition colors.
Mix more yellow into green and it becomes warm green. Mix more blue into green and it becomes cool green.
Mix more red into purple and it becomes warm purple. Mix more blue into purple and it becomes cool purple.
If you want to go monochromatic and use both warm and cool colors then use either green or purple. We will talk more about color schemes and which color matches which brand personality later).
Tertiary colors
When you mix a primary and a secondary color, you get a tertiary color. Mix two adjacent colors on the six-color wheel. You will get six tertiary colors.
Zoom this image and take a look. The tertiary colors derive their names from the primary and secondary colors which make them.
Red-purple, red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, and blue-purple are tertiary colors.
Color theory warm and cool colors
Warm colors excite and energize us. But they also represent aggression.
Cool colors are tranquil.
Color temperature
How warm or how cool color is its color temperature. Like blue has a lower color temperature than red. Or green has a lower color temperature than orange.
The secret of how to use warm and cool colors
Illusion of depth
Warm colors appear to come closer to the viewer. Cool colors appear to recede from the viewer. If you use warm colors in the background and cool colors in the foreground then you could create an illusion of depth in your design.
All three boxes are of two dimensions. Still, the second box has an illusion of depth. The yellow text seems to be embossed on the green background. It is because there is a warm yellow foreground on a cool green background.
In the first and the third box, both colors are of similar color temperatures. So, we do not find any illusion of depth in the first and the third box.
Color theory architecture tip
In architecture, office rooms use cool colors because they look sophisticated.
Clinics of doctors are blue or blue-green in color to calm down patients.
Bathrooms should have cool colors to create relaxation.
Bedrooms should have warm colors. Warm colors seem to draw closer to the viewer and make them feel cozy.
If you paint small rooms in cool colors then the walls will appear to recede away from the viewer. It will look larger.
You could paint large rooms in warm colors to make them appear cozier.
Color theory landscape design tips
The warm colors excite you and the cool colors calm you down. Use this tip to design your garden's theme.
If you have a small garden then you could create an illusion of depth. You could make it seem larger if you plant warm flora in the foreground and flora of cool colors in the background.
You could add a Buddha statue and a fountain to a tranquil Zen fountain.
A lot depends upon the season in landscape design. So, you have to choose the colors and plants with care to fit your color scheme.
Color theory-neutral colors
Neutral colors like black, white, grey, brown, and tans never appear in the color wheel. But, they help to enhance the colors which appear in the color wheel.
Color theory grey
Black represents majesty and mystery. Brands that are classics or are authorities in their niches should use black color. During the baroque period, a lot of paintings used grey. Buildings use grey color.
White represents playful energy and youthfulness. Creative and young brands can use white.
Grey is a color in between black and white. Grey means impartiality and indecisiveness. A light grey conveys a similar meaning as white. A dark grey expresses a similar meaning as black.
All the companies no matter their brand personality can use shades of grey. Too much grey means muted emotions. Moreover, greys can also have undertones. You could also mix complementary colors to produce different undertones of grey. (More about undertone and complementary colors later in this blog).
If you think grey is too dull a color for your brand personality then consider silver greys. Silver grays shimmer in both dark and light backgrounds.
Many popular brands use grey colors.
Brown represents stability. Brown has many shades too. You could use brown with red or orange bias to represent stable energy. Or, you could use brown with yellow undertones to represent lively energy.
The brown color in this image makes us feel that this landscape design is right out of a fairytale.
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