Color theory is the study of how colors interact and affect each other, as well as the human perception and emotion. It is a crucial skill for computer graphics, whether you are designing logos, websites, games, or animations. Learn how to use color theory to create harmonious graphics that convey your message and engage your audience.
The color wheel is a circular diagram that shows the relationships between the primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. It is a useful tool for choosing and combining colors that work well together. There are different types of color wheels, such as the RGB (red, green, blue) wheel for digital media, and the RYB (red, yellow, blue) wheel for traditional art. Use the color wheel to find complementary, analogous, triadic, and tetradic color schemes.
RGB are the light color primaries, while RYB is the traditional set of pigment primaries. A color wheel will take the three primaries and evenly space these primaries around the wheel. However, RYB are not actually the true pigment primaries - CMY are (cyan, magenta, and yellow) are. Red is in fact a secondary pigment color, made of even amounts of magenta and yellow. Blue also is a secondary pigment color, made of even amounts of Cyan and Magenta. Green is the third secondary pigment, made of even amounts of Cyan and Yellow. When you use the modern pigment primaries, the light color wheel and the pigment color wheel can be merged, leaving only one color wheel, with these colors evenly spaced: Red, Yellow, Green, Cyan, Blue, Magenta.
Complementary colors are colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. They create a strong contrast and a dynamic balance. For example, red and green, blue and orange, and yellow and purple are complementary colors. Use complementary colors to create focal points, highlight important elements, or add drama and energy to your graphics. However, be careful not to overuse them, as they can be too harsh or overwhelming.
Analogous colors are colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel. They create a harmonious and pleasing effect, as they share similar hues and values. For example, green, blue-green, and blue are analogous colors. Use analogous colors to create a sense of unity, consistency, and calmness in your graphics. However, be careful not to make them too monotonous or boring, as they can lack contrast and variety.
Triadic colors are colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel. They form a triangle shape, and create a balanced and vibrant effect. For example, red, yellow, and blue are triadic colors. Use triadic colors to create a lively and dynamic graphics, as they offer a rich diversity of hues and values. Don't make them too chaotic or confusing, as they can clash or compete with each other.
Tetradic colors are colors that form a rectangle or a square on the color wheel. They consist of two pairs of complementary colors, and create a complex and sophisticated effect. For example, red and green, and blue and orange are tetradic colors. Use tetradic colors to create a varied and interesting graphics, as they offer a wide range of hues and values. Don't make them too complicated or overwhelming, as they can be difficult to balance and harmonize.
Achieving color harmony in your graphics is essential for its visual appeal and coherence. Factors such as context, purpose, mood, and audience should be taken into account. Utilize a color palette generator or color picker tool to find suitable colors and color schemes for your graphics. Furthermore, it's best to limit the number of colors to no more than five to avoid confusion and clutter. Utilizing different shades, tints, and tones of the same color can create depth and variation. Contrast can be used to create emphasis, hierarchy, and readability in your graphics. Color psychology can be used to communicate emotions, meanings, and associations in your graphics. Finally, experiment with different colors and color schemes until you find the one that suits your graphics best.
Although there are many systems to organize a color theory, the best compendium by far is the work of Japanese color researcher Shigenobu Kobayashi, who posits a "Color Image Scale" referenced to common concepts like "elegance", "cleanliness" or "glamour". Incredibly useful in every activity where color is important and the result of combinations is consistent.
Consider your audience and platform: users who spend most of their time in Apple apps expect backgrounds to be white (or nearly white), with dark text and minimal use of color; while many gamers prefer dark backgrounds & more colorful text/content. Also, I've seen all manner of [G]UI over many years of development, from simple elements (to save screen real estate) to "3D" elements (including bevels) because pixels were smaller and more shades/colors were available, back to a simpler/cleaner 2D look. For my own purposes, I've recently been creating minimal elements with a saturated-but-darker cyan/teal on a dark-gray background, and yellow & orange for attention.