Color in Design Explained in 1 Minute
3 min readMar 6, 2024
What is color?
Color is a powerful tool for designers, allowing them to:
- Evoke emotions and set a mood.
- Communicate information and branding.
- Create visual hierarchy and guide the eye.
- Enhance aesthetics and user experience.
Where is color implemented?
Designers use color strategically across various disciplines:
- Graphic Design: Color schemes, typography, branding
- Web Design: User interface (UI) design, user experience (UX) design
- Product Design: Product and packaging design
- Environmental Design: Interior design and architecture
Understanding color:
- Hue: The actual color itself (e.g., red, blue, green)
- Value: The lightness or darkness of a color
- Saturation: The intensity or purity of a color (vibrant vs. muted)
Color palettes:
- Monochromatic: Uses different shades of a single hue
- Analogous: Uses colors next to each other on the color wheel
- Complementary: Uses colors opposite each other on the color wheel
- Triadic: Uses three colors evenly spaced on the color wheel
Primary and Secondary Colors:
- Primary Colors: Red, green, and blue (cannot be created by mixing)
- Secondary Colors: Created by mixing primary colors (yellow, cyan, magenta)
Color models:
- RGB (Red, Green, Blue): Primarily used for digital displays
- CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black): Primarily used for printed materials
Hex codes: A shorthand for representing colors using six digits.
Color blindness:
- Definition: Also known as color vision deficiency, affecting color perception.
- Inclusive design: Use high contrast, consider color blindness simulators, and choose accessible color palettes.
That’s One Minute for Today!
I’m on a mission to break down complex design concepts into bite-sized, easy-to-understand pieces. Stay tuned for more lightning-fast design insights coming your way!