Introduction to Color

In this last section of the semester, we will be exploring how graphic designers use of color in both technical and communicative ways.

In the time we have, we are only going to focus on how color is specified and used in both print and electronic mediums, and how we can use color to help our designs captivate interest, and convey both the intent and emotion of the message.


Color and Communication
Most (if not all) of you are aware of the role color plays in our lives—from primal distinctions as the color of skin,

to designating one sports team from another,

to the colors we choose for our surroundings.

All colors that we are exposed to make some impact on us—emotionally, intellectually, physically, and subliminally. Visit the Emotions Color Wheel.

One of the more important roles of the designer is to understand, and utilize the various pallets of color available to help convey the message, identity, emotion, etc. of their design solution.

To take advantage of the power that color can provide in a design, the designer must understand both the technical aspects of color—and how they are applied in both electronic and print form, and the emotional, or messaging aspects of color—and how it can be used to create an emotional response from the viewer.


Part 1. Technical Aspects of Color
There have been hundreds of books published on color theory that discuss the various color models, wavelengths, and the scientific and psychological impact on the viewer. Below is a very brief overview. You can learn more at this site.

Electromagnetic radiation from the Sun.

CIEXYZ model, with several color gamuts mapped—millions of colors

The Color Wheel
A color wheel (also referred to as a color circle) is a visual representation of colors arranged according to their chromatic relationship. Begin a color wheel by positioning primary hues equidistant from one another, then create a bridge between primaries using secondary and tertiary colors.

Here is a link to a color wheel that shows the layout of various color schemes. We'll look at this to get an idea of what color schemes are and how they work.


Two Forms of Color
Additive System—electronic: Red (R) Green (G) Blue (B) represented by pixels.
Today's monitors can display about 16 million colors.

Subtractive System—print: Cyan (C) Magenta (M) Yellow (Y) and Black (K)
Can only create thousands of colors

Let's check out this site worqx to get a better idea on how these systems work.


Color Specification within a Software Application

RGB

CMYK

HSB (hue, saturation, brightness)

Flat (mixed inks—Pantone is a commercial color matching system)