Color is a key element in Art and Design.

Color is perhaps the first element that we

register when we view something for the first time.

Color is the Art Elements that refers to reflected light

Color Terminology
As in many others areas of knowledge, Color has its own set of terms which convey specific
meaning and which may not always coincide with common usage of a term.

Hue is the traditional color “name”, such as red, which represents a specific wavelength of visible
light. In most instances color and hue are used interchangeably even though they do not exactly
mean the same thing or refer to the same phenomenon. The hues in the spectrum are traditionally
listed as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. ROYGBIV is a common mnemonic for
remembering the order of colored light in the spectrum. Black, white and the grays produced from
them are not usually considered to be hues. The average eye can differentiate approximately 150
different hues.

BASIC TERMINOLOGY

Primary colors- There are two different types of primary colors: ADDIITIVE and
SUBTRACTIVE. The additive primaries are those colors that are obtained by emitted light. Red,
green and blue are the additive primaries, and all three colors combined produce white. Subtractive
primaries are those associated with the subtraction of light. Cyan, magenta and yellow; the process
colors used in four-color printing, are the subtractive primaries. These three colors combined
produce a muddy black.
Secondary Colors- A secondary color is created by combining any two primary colors in
equal portions.
Tertiary- Is created by mixing subtractive primary colors in the proportions 2:1 or 1:2.
Every color has a unique light wavelength. Hue or color refers to the unique characteristics of color
that helps us visually distinguish one color from another. Hues of colors are formed by different
wavelengths of light.
Saturation, or Chroma, refers to the purity of a color. Saturation levels describe a colors
tendency to move toward or away from grey. At maximum saturation a color contains no grey; such
colors are described as vivid, bright, rich, and intense and so on. At lower saturation levels, the
colors contain increasing amounts of grey, which result in subdued, muted or dull colors.
Value/brightness refers to how a light or dark color is. Changes in value can be achieved by
mixing a color with different proportions of white or black. A color that is mixed with white is
called a tint, while those mixed with black are called shades. Value is not to be confused with
saturation as the two are independent.

Prang or Artist’s Color System: Pigment primaries in this system are red, blue and yellow. Prang
was a printer and developed a four-color printing process known as chromolithography in the
1860's. Prang's system was the first workable system to reproduce color in print. He is sometimes
referred to as the father of the American Christmas Card. The Prang Color Wheel arrangement was
also used by Johannes Itten in his work on color.

The Prang/Artist's/Itten Color Wheel

Process Color, Printer’s Primaries, CYMK or Four-color System: This is the system used by
much of the print industry. In this system, the primaries are Cyan (a blue with a slight greenish
tinge), Yellow and Magenta (a violet red). The fourth “color” is black, designated by K.

Cyan (C) Yellow (Y) Magenta (M) Black (K)

COLOR WHEEL

The COLOR WHEEL is a tool that can be used to select harmonious combinations of colors for
design and is a circular representation of the color spectrum. Was first observed by Sir Isaac
Newton when he published his observances about light and color in 1672
It serves to explain the relationship between different colors and is an essential part of color
theory. The color wheel also illustrates the classification of colors, provides a quick reference to the
PRIMARY, SECONDARY, and TERTIARY hues and this can help designers successfully select
systematic color schemes. Colors can be described as warm or cool Colors chosen from different
points on the wheel will provide a variety of complementary colors, analogous colors, or mutual
complements (a triad of equidistant colors and the complementary color of the central one.
Color wheel selections terminology;
MONOCHROME-a monochrome color is any single color on the color wheel.
COMPLEMENTARY- a complementary or contrasting color are those that face each other, or
opposite on the color wheel. They provide the strongest contrast so their use will result in a more
vibrant design.
SPLIT COMPLEMENTS-are three colors, these are the two colors adjacent to the complementary
color of the principle color selected.
TRIAD-are any three colors that equidistant on the color wheel. As all three colors contrast one
another, a triad color scheme provides a tension to the viewer. The primary and secondary color
spaces are both triads.
ANALOGOUS- are the two colors on either side of the selected principle color, so essentially three
consecutive colors segments. Analogous color scheme provides a harmonious and natural blend of
colors.
MUTUAL COMPLEMENTS- a set of mutual complements comprises a triad of equidistant
colors and the complementary color of the central one of them
NEAR COMPLEMENTS- a near compliment color is one color adjacent or next to, the
complementary color of the principle color selected.
DOUBLE COMPLEMENTS- double complements are any two adjacent (or next to each other)
colors and their two complements, which will appear on the opposite side of the color wheel.

Color Modification
Colors are modified in a number of ways.

Mix one hue with another hue.

1. Mix a primary hue with another primary hue to generate a secondary hue.

red orange yellow

2. Mix a primary hue with a secondary hue to generate a tertiary hue.

orange yellow/orange yellow

3. Mix a hue with its complement to produce a tone.

 red red tone green

Add white to any hue to make a tint.

These are sometimes referred to as a pastels.

Add black to any hue to create a shade.

Add a neutral gray to any hue to create a tone.

red red tone gray

Add its complement to any hue to create a tone. In theory, the mixture of two complements in
roughly equal amounts will produce a neutral gray. In practice the tone produced will be a brownish
hue. These mixtures and grays mixed with a hue are often referred to as chromatic grays, i.e. gray
with color in it or a hue that is reduced in intensity almost to the point of appearing gray.

GRAPHIC DESIGN
COLOR COMBINATIONS

Selecting a color combination that works will depend largely on the message that is to be conveyed.
In any design, a dominate color that is supported by subordinate response or association
from the viewer, and so an understanding of these reactions will help a designer to create effective
color combinations that will enforce their intended message.
SUBORDINATE- A visually weaker color that compliments or contrasts with the dominate color.
DOMINANT- A principle color that is used to capture the viewers’ attention
ACCENT- A color that is used to provide a sympathetic visual detail’

COLOR SYSTEMS

A system is a set or arranged things that are related and form a unity or whole. A system is also an
established way of doing something.
Designers have a selection of color systems and frameworks to work with. The selection of a
particular color system will often depend upon how the final design is to be produced and /or
presented, as different systems possess different limitations and options. It is important to recognize
and understand that a final design needs to incorporate the appropriate color system for the intended
use.
Two of the most widely recognized and commonly used color systems are RGB, typically
used for digital publishing and initial design work and CMYK for print publishing.
Special process or SPOT colors can also be used to provide precise color control and
intense graphic effects, for example florescent and metallic colors. Special colors may be applied
via a separate printing plate or by replacing one of the standard process colors

COLOR GAMUT
The gamut describes the spectrum of colors that a particular system, device or process can produce.
 RGB displays approximately 70% of the colors perceived by the human eye and CMYK is
even less
Design tools such as scanners, monitors, software applications and printing processes all
work with different color spaces. The color spaces define the range, or gamut of colors that are at
the designer disposal. Using colors at the fringes of the gamut will mean it is difficult to ensure that
they remain faithful to the original design if they are transferred from one device to another.

LINKS for more information

Color Matters

Color Wheel Pro

The Virtual Instructor about color

Munsell on color

YouTube also has many videos and information as well