Podcast #2 Color Theory

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

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

Describe white light? equal parts of all color in the visible spectrum.

How do we see color if objects "have no color of their own"? objects appear to be in color when the absorb or reflect colors in the visible spectrum. reflected color is the color we see.

What is a glass prism? a transparent, triangular object that breaks white light into all the visible colors in the spectrum. all colors can be see when refracted through a glass prism.

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

Describe hue? hue is the color itself. each different hue is a different reflected wavelength of light.

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

When does black light occur? when no light is reflected back to your eye.

How color is perceived depends on what? the type of light that it is seen with, incandescent, fluorescent, or natural light. colors can change according to their surroundings.

What is a color wheel? shows different results of mixing colors

What are primary colors? Name them? red, yellow, blue. no colors can be mixed to make these colors. they are our 3 basic colors

What are secondary colors? Name them? orange, green, violet. 2 primary colors are mixed to make these.

What are tertiary colors? Name them? primary and secondary colors mixed together. red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-biolet, and red-violet. primary color is named first

What are neutral colors? How can they be created? colors that dont show up on the color wheel. almost gray. very low saturations. blacks, grays, whites, and brown. complimentary color pair mixed.

How can a neutral color help a design? help put the focus on other colors or tone down colors that are emphasized on their own.

What are complementary colors? Name them? colors that are positioned opposite of each other. red and green, orange and blue, yellow and violet.

What is color value? the lightness or darkness of a color

What is a shade? adding black to a hue produces a low-value color

What is a tint? adding white to a hue produces a high-value color

What is saturation/intensity? the brightness of a color. full intensity when not mixed with black and white. you can change the intensity of a color by adding gray.

What happens when you mix complementary colors together? you produce a dull tone, when you put them side by side it increases the intensity

Describe color harmony? pleasing to the eye, engages the view, and a balance or order to the visual

What is a color scheme? harmonious color combinations. colors that are used to create style and appeal. based on the color wheel and the arrangement of color.

Describe a monochromatic color scheme? uses variations of tints or shades of one color. clean and elegant. go well together for a soothing affect. very easy on the eyes

Describe an analogous color scheme? 3 colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel. one color is dominant and the other two enrich the scheme. often found in nature and pleasing to the eye. bright and cheery effect. can accommodate changing moods.

Describe a complementary color scheme? two colors that are opposite of each other the color wheel. draws a lot of attention, high contrast composition. seen in nature.

Describe a split-complementary color scheme? uses a color and its 2 colors adjacent to its complimentary color. will draw attention, but without the tension of a complimentary color scheme.

Describe a triadic color scheme? 3 colors equally spaced around the color wheel. strong visual balance

What colors are considered to be warm colors? yellows, oranges, and reds

Describe a warm color scheme? bold and energetic. appear closer, so do not overwhelm. needs to pop out, consider using warm colors in the design.

What colors are considered to be cool colors? greens, blues, and violets.

Describe a cool color scheme? an impression of calm, rarely overpowers the main concept, appear farther away. give an allusion of depth

Why is important to consider which colors are being used within a design? impacts all of our visual communications. the right tone and message. the right response. creates an emotional reaction.