Color is an integral element of graphic design and printing. It is, in some cases, more important than the graphic design itself. Color is arguably the first factor that attracts a viewer to a particular graphic design and thus, no one can afford to go wrong with their choice of colors.
To get down to the basics, there are three primary colors: red, yellow and blue;Â three secondary colors: orange, violet and green; and six tertiary colors: yellow-green, yellow-orange; red-orange; red-violet, blue-violet, blue-green. Thereon, you can have hundreds of different colors by mixing primary and tertiary or secondary and tertiary colors.
Then there are the subtractive colors of yellow, cyan and magenta. In addition there are types of colors such as complimentary, analogous, neutral, warm and cool. In effect, you actually have millions of colors to choose from.
The task becomes even more challenging when you consider the reality that there can be thousands of combinations with those hundreds of colors. Trying to look at that range of different colors will leave you perplexed and it is rather unwise to start from the all available palette of colors and combinations to try to come up with an idea for your design.
Any veteran graphic design and printing expert will tell you that the best way to start thinking of color is to get started at the very basics. Here are some of the questions you should ask yourself:
- What is it that you want in your design?
- Do you want it to be bright, elegant or a combination of both?
- Do you prefer harmonious color combinations or chaotic?
- Do you wish to use a color in its original and true texture or you would go with a certain shade of the color?
- How many colors you wish to use and to what extent would every color is blended in the graphic design?
The first factor to consider is what you need to communicate with your design. Where is the design going to be used? Who is your target audience? What the message or purpose of the graphic design will determine the different colors you wish to use.
Bright colors can be elegant or too much “in your face.” The trick lies in which shade is being used and what other colors will be matched with the primary design color. A harmonious combination of colors are mixing of those colors that create serene and comfortable designs when used together while a chaotic design will include color combinations that appear very bright or loud. Every color has several shades. The right shade will lend texture and meaning to your graphic design so that they will actually help communicate your message.
Bearing this in mind, choose the colors you wish to use, select the different shades of the colors you like and try out different combinations to see which combination suits your design purpose the best.
For more information on how to effectively use color in your design, talk to our experts in the Color Department. Contact our team and we will be glad to help you: color@hackworth.co or 757-545-7675.