Colour Theory - Part 3 - Colour and Print
In the studio session we had to come up with a list of 10 personal 'burning' questions about colour theory in graphic design. Then, as a group, discussed what we thought were the most important mutual questions and condensed them into just 5. As other groups had done the same, we swapped questions in an attempt to answer each others questions.
I will attempt to answer my ten 'burning' questions using online resources and what we learnt after the questions were written in the session.
My ten 'burning questions:
1. Can colour assist hierarchy in design?
In a word, yes! Dependant on your colour scheme, the words that stand out the most determine what order the text is to be read in, or what part of the text is the most important. For example:
Taken from (http://gdbasics.com/index.php?s=hierarchydp1)
2. What are the best colours to use for titles to make them stand out?
Again, your individual colour scheme will determine what stands out the most. For example, black on white, white on black, red on white/black and so on. But usually the colours with the highest contrast of tone and saturation are the ones most likely to stand out.
3. What are the most popular combinations of colour best suited for designs that will be viewed outside in daylight?
After re-thinking through this question I have come to the conclusion that you should generally avoid colours that are sky-colour, as simple as it sounds, especially for billboards. This is because if they are high up or interferred with light they can almost become invisible when they blend. The material to which the design will be attached should also be considered if possible. If it is a brick wall, avoid loads of red tones and try white, for example. A simple observation of the environment will benefit your designs greatly.
4. What is the best colour combination (excluding black and white) for best readability of bodycopy text?
Any colour combination with high contrast of tone is the best resolution for readability issues. 5. Are there any colour schemes that should be purposely avoided?
It depends on what you intend for your design! If you want crazy colours or even just plain black and white it is only because you are reaching out to a certain audience. But I would say that the only colour schemes that should be avoided where audiences attention is concerned are dull, pastel colours as they are not very eye catching. Dull colours like brown and grey should try to be avoided.
6. Are there any more complex emotions to colour theory?
Yes! As well as all the simple answers such as red meaning love/anger, blue meaning sadness and green meaning nature/ jealousy, there are a lot more subconscious emotions in colour theory. See http://www.artyfactory.com/color_theory/color_theory_3.htm and for a more in-depth study, http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/08/17/goethe-theory-of-colours/ .7. How many colours maximum should be used in 1 design?
(see group answers below, as question is repeated)
8. What different colours will appeal to different audiences?
(see different emotions above) & http://www.3sixty.co.uk/our-thinking/design/colour-theory-and-web-design
9. How can colour convey a message?
It can convey a message through colour psychology, and when combined with a design style. See 'different audiences' and 'complex emotions' question.
10. How does scientific colour theory relate to graphic design?
By thinking about the scientific aspect of colour theory you can come to understand what colours will stand out the most, due to our eye colour receptors. For example
taken from http://www.perret-optic.ch/optometrie/Vision_des_couleurs/Vis_couleur_images/spectre-longueur-ondes.jpg
Colour has the shortest wavelength and so will stand out the most (in the case of immediate impact). This can be applied to designs for effectiveness for attention of audience.
The other groups' 5 'burning' questions:
1. Whats the maximum number of colours you should use in a design?
When you pick a colour scheme for your design, you are in a balancing act between too bland and too busy. You want your design to be memorable, but you don’t want your audience to be confused or overwhelmed. You want to improve your design, but you don’t want to sacrifice simplicity. How many colours should you pick for your design? Remember that three main colours is often ideal. Too few colours is always better than too many. Many designs agree that picking three major colours – and colours that match – is a great place to start. If you are going for a more minimalist design, two colours is a great choice.
I researched further into what an accent colour was as we haven't learnt this term as of yet. Heres the definition I found:
Accent colours are colours that are used for emphasis in a colour scheme. These colours can be bold or vivid and are used sparingly, to emphasize, contrast or create rhythm. Using a very bright or warm colour like red or yellow on a large piece of furniture can be overwhelming if not done right. Not everyone can balance out a very bold colour, but a they can be judiciously used as accent colours.
I also found websites that strengthen this ideology:
The 60-30-10 rule seems to come up quite often when i researched the question. And using tone & shades of the chosen colours in the palette helps to enhance the design without it looking very tacky. Three seems to be a popular number of colours to use although it does depend on what you are designing.
http://blog.virtuemarttemplates.org/virtuemart_templates_news/the-best-resources-to-choose-colors-for-great-design.htmlThis website shows the kuler programme which created the colour palettes for design.
http://www.tigercolor.com/color-lab/tips/tip-01.htmlThis website explains it in indepth detail and uses diagrams to show the triadic color scheme.
I researched further into what an accent colour was as we haven't learnt this term as of yet. Heres the definition I found:
Accent colours are colours that are used for emphasis in a colour scheme. These colours can be bold or vivid and are used sparingly, to emphasize, contrast or create rhythm. Using a very bright or warm colour like red or yellow on a large piece of furniture can be overwhelming if not done right. Not everyone can balance out a very bold colour, but a they can be judiciously used as accent colours.
I also found websites that strengthen this ideology:
The 60-30-10 rule seems to come up quite often when i researched the question. And using tone & shades of the chosen colours in the palette helps to enhance the design without it looking very tacky. Three seems to be a popular number of colours to use although it does depend on what you are designing.
http://blog.virtuemarttemplates.org/virtuemart_templates_news/the-best-resources-to-choose-colors-for-great-design.htmlThis website shows the kuler programme which created the colour palettes for design.
http://www.tigercolor.com/color-lab/tips/tip-01.htmlThis website explains it in indepth detail and uses diagrams to show the triadic color scheme.
2. Should colour be chosen in natural light? If not, what is the most appropriate context it would be used in?
Colour should not be chosen in natural light, even if this is the lighting it is intended to be viewed in when printed/ on show to the audience. This is because natural light is inconsistent and so the colour will constantly be in different contexts. It is best to view colour in none-natural light with no interference of other lights, and ideally, a bill over a matte-finish screen to ensure that the colour shown is the colour that will print. A note of a pantone colour will ensure that no matter what screen you are looking at, you can refer to the printed copy to envision what the printed version will definitely look like.
Research sources : 22/1/13 colour theory session!
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