Podcast #2: Color Theory!

The right use of color can do what?
Can maximize productivity, minimize visual fatigue, and relax the body

Within the electromagnetic spectrum, which waves allow us to see color?
Visible light!

Describe white light?
Equal parts of all colors in the visible light spectrum

How do we see color if objects "have no color of their own"?
Light hitting an object, and the color that is reflected off the object (and not absorbed into the object) is the color we see

What is a glass prism?
A transparent,triangular object that breaks white light into all the colors of the visible light spectrum

What seven colors result when white light is refracted through a prism?
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, (indigo), and violet

Describe hue?
Refers to the color itself; each different hue is a different reflected wavelength

When does white light occur?
Occurs when all wavelengths are reflected back to the eye

When does black light occur?
Occurs when no light is reflected back into the eye

How color is perceived depends on what?
Depends of the type of light it is seen with (like daylight or night, incandescent, fluorescent)

What is a color wheel?
A visual tool that shows the relationship between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors (and complementary, analogous, schemes)

What are primary colors? Name them?
Colors that cannot be created by mixing any other colors; red, yellow, and blue!

What are secondary colors? Name them?
Created by mixing two primary colors; orange, green, and violet!

What are tertiary colors? Name them?

Created by mixing a primary and secondary color together; red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, and red-violet

What are neutral colors? How can they be created?
Colors that do not show up on the color wheel; colors of very low saturation (intensity)

How can a neutral color help a design?
Help put the focus on other colors or serve to tone down overpowering colors

What are complementary colors? Name them?
Colors positioned opposite of each other on the color wheel; red and green, orange and blue, yellow and violet

What is color value?
Refers to the lightness or darkness of a hue

What is a shade?
Created by adding black to a hue, producing a low-value color

What is a tint?
Created by adding white to a hue, producing a high-value color

What is saturation/intensity?
The brightness of a color; at full intensity when not mixed with black or white

What happens when you mix complementary colors together?
Creates a dull tone; though when put side-by-side, intensity is increased

Describe color harmony?
A pleasing to the eye, engages the viewer, and creates a sense of order

What is a color scheme?
Harmonious color combinations; used to create style and appeal, and based on the color wheel and arrangement of colors; color schemes remain harmonious regardless of the rotation angle

Describe a monochromatic color scheme?
Uses variations of tints or shades (values) of one color; clean and elegant, soothing effect and easy on the eyes

Describe an analogous color scheme?
Uses three adjacent colors on the color wheel; one color as a dominant color, while the others are used to enrich the scheme; usually found in nature and pleasing to the eye; bright and cheery effect, though can accommodate changing moods

Describe a complementary color scheme?
Uses two colors opposite to one another; draws a lot of attention; works best in situations where you need high-contrast compositions; found in nature all the time!

Describe a split-complementary color scheme?
Uses three colors: one color and the two colors adjacent to its complement. This draws attention without the tension of a complementary scheme

Describe a triadic color scheme?
Uses three colors equally spaced among the color wheel and offers a strong visual balance

What colors are considered to be warm colors?
Vivid in nature; yellows, oranges or reds (aggression, excitement, and danger)

Describe a warm color scheme?
(Can represent aggression, excitement, and danger, as well as being strong and welcoming, but will overpower other colors in a design.) They are bold and energetic, and tend to appear closer to the viewer

What colors are considered to be cool colors?
Soothing in nature; greens, blues, and violets; passiveness, comforting, and nurturing

Describe a cool color scheme?
Calm and rarely overpowering; appears further away and is used to give the illusion of depth

Why is important to consider which colors are being used within a design?

The right color choice can convey the right message and evoke the desired response to any form of visual communication; it creates and emotional reaction

Happy October! :)