Color Theory – Part 4
Knowing the basics of color allows you to design and create pieces to send the exact message you intend with your product. Whether it’s fashion, home décor, accessories or even jewelry, it is important to know the meaning of the color scheme you select.
The chart above provides a basic understanding of the meanings of the basic six colors. Reds are passionate and energetic. Oranges are cheerful and creative. Yellow gives a lively and happy feeling. Purple is inspiring and magical. Blue is soothing and brings harmony and calm. And, finally, green is refreshing and natural.
When using the colors in your scheme, you will find the intent comes naturally. If your piece is bright yellow with analogous hues, you impart a feeling of happiness (yellow), cheerfulness (orange) and natural being (green). If you think about it, the colors you choose will most likely be a result of your natural surroundings. As humans, we naturally are drawn to colors and palettes we’re familiar with from our environment.
In some cases we choose palettes reminding us of our youth. Remember when you saw the bicycle you loved so much in the Sears catalog? More than likely it was bright red and looked fast and you felt you could outrun every other kid on the block, right? When you see the color red today, you probably feel drawn to it and have the urge to buy a red bicycle.
Think of what message you want your piece to reflect and design around the colors you feel send that message. Sometimes your intent through color can touch the very heart of the audience. If you want to exude calm, refreshing messages, think of blues and greens. If your intent is passion and intrigue, choose reds and purples.
In any case, when you’re designing, creating and evaluating your next project, think about the things you have learned about color. Remember the primary, secondary and tertiary color terms and decide where to start. Once you know your base color, begin designing the palette using complimentary, analogous, triadic or split complimentary colors. Figure out the best harmonies, pick out your supplies and finally, start building.
Citation:
Illustration courtesy of http://www.kccpaint.com.my/index.php?p=colorHarmony
