Colour Use In Graphic Design

Colour use in Graphic Design

Colour is very subjective, their individual meanings vary between different cultures therefore the use of them is dependant on the target audience.  The modern colour wheel helps us see the relationships between different colours and allows us to view complimentary colours. There are also specialist terms when talking in relation to colour, these include: Hue is the value of the colour and how the colours are perceived through the eye. It also refers to the position of the colour on the colour wheel. Saturation of a colour is how intense or bright a colour is, if the colour is dull it is referred to as desaturated. Value is how bright the colour is and is usually represented in a percentage between one and one hundred.

Colour representations

Different colours have the power to make us as individuals feel different things

Blue Security, trustworthy, stability, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, trust, friendliness, preservation, courage, science.

Green Wealth, money, calming, trees, ambition, endurance, healing, calm, generosity, natural, completion and protection.

Red Energy, power, vigour, leadership, courage, passion, activity, joy.

Orange Cheerful, passion, pleasure, enthusiasm, fascination, creativity, fun.

There are two primary colour systems in which colour is produced- additive which is formed from RGB and is usually digital and subtractive which is formed from CMY and is usually used on printed pieces. Additive colour works with anything that emits or radiates light, using a combination of different wavelengths of light the colour is created. The more light added, the lighter and brighter the colour becomes. Subtractive on the other hand works on a basis of light being reflected, the way wavelengths are reflected determines the colour.

Colour Harmony, in a visual context this is something that is pleasing on the eye in order to engage the viewer as well as creating order and balance, anything overly unorganised will be rejected by the brain as it cannot understand it.  Dependant on the background that you place it on changes the way the colour is seen. Using colours that don’t work well together, using too many colours or a little amount of colour can stop people looking at your design work. A colour scheme should be chosen at the start of a project and consistently ran through out your work. When used in the right way, colour can attract attention, help group elements, convey meaning and enhance design work overall. Using contrasting colours draws attention and can give things emphasis as well as repeating colours to link certain things together. Cool colours work better for backgrounds were as warm colours work well in the foreground. Combining both warm and cool colours you can add depth to your work and darker colours are usually the first to be seen.