Podcast #2 Color Theory

The right use of color can do what?

It can maximize productivity, minimize visual fatigue, and relax the body.

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

Visible light waves let us see color.

Describe white light? 

Equal parts of all colors in the electromagnetic spectrum.

How do we see color if objects "have no color of their own"? 

Objects absorb and reflect the color wavelengths. The colors that are reflected to our eyes are the ones we see.

What is a glass prism?

A transparent triangular object that breaks white light into all the colors of the electromagnetic spectrum.

What seven colors result when white light is refracted through a prism? 

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet

Describe hue? 

The color itself

When does white light occur?

When all wavelengths are reflected back to your eye.

When does black light occur? 

When no light is reflected to your eye.

How color is perceived depends on what?

The type of light you see it in.

What is a color wheel? 

A visual tool that shows the relationships between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.

What are primary colors? Name them? 

Three basic colors that can be mixed to create other colors. They are red, blue, and yellow

What are secondary colors? Name them?

The mixture of two primary colors. They are orange, green, and violet.

What are tertiary colors? Name them? 

They are the mixture of a primary color and a secondary color. They are red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, red-violet, and blue-violet.

What are neutral colors? How can they be created? 

Colors of low saturation. They can be created by mixing complementary colors.

How can a neutral color help a design?

They help put the focus on other colors or tone down overpowering colors.

What are complementary colors? Name them?

Colors positioned on opposite sides of the color wheel. Examples are red and green, orange and blue, yellow and violet.

What is color value? 

The lightness or darkness of a hue.

What is a shade? 

A color with black added to it.

What is a tint?

A color with white added to it.

What is saturation/intensity?

The brightness of a color.

What happens when you mix complementary colors together? 

A neutral color is formed.

Describe color harmony? 

A pleasing arrangement of colors.

What is a color scheme? 

A harmonious color combination.

Describe a monochromatic color scheme? 

It uses various tints and shades of one color.

Describe an analogous color scheme?

It uses three colors adjacent to each other on the color wheel.

Describe a complementary color scheme?

It uses three colors opposite to each other on the color wheel.

Describe a split-complementary color scheme?

It uses one color and two other colors that are adjacent to its complement on the color wheel.

Describe a triadic color scheme?

It uses three colors that are equally spaced on the color wheel.

What colors are considered to be warm colors?

Yellows, oranges, and reds

Describe a warm color scheme?

It expresses aggression, excitement, and danger. Colors in a warm color scheme are found in the sun. Warm colors overpower other colors in a design.

What colors are considered to be cool colors?

Greens, blues and violets are considered cool colors.

Describe a cool color scheme?

It expresses passiveness and is comforting and nurturing. It gives an impression of calm and rarely overpowers the message of a design. It appears farther away than a warm color scheme and is often used to give the illusion of depth.

Why is important to consider which colors are being used within a design?

Right color choice can convey the right message and evoke the desired response to any form of visual communication.