Color Theory: Properties, Psychology, Question and Answer

The study of understanding on how different colors behave and influence each other is known as the Color theory. It also helps in understanding the effect of colors on human perception. Color theory includes the principles on mixing of different colors and the visual effects provided by specific different color combinations. Color theory is a tool used by creative professionals to produce visually beautiful and harmonic creations. It is important to comprehend both color psychology and theory in order to use visual media to successfully convey feelings and ideas.

Color is given a logical framework by color theories. For instance, we can arrange a variety of commonplace objects we find around by color and arrange them on a circle to illustrate how the colors relate to one another.

Colour Wheel

Color Wheel is a circular diagram to show how different colors are related. It provides a clear order for primary, secondary, & tertiary colors. Artists & Designers use this tool to understand color harmonies, combinations and make balanced designs. Color theory also helps for visualizing how different colors work together.

Modern Colour Wheel 1666, Isaac Newton

Isaac Newton invented the color wheel back in 1666.To show the connections between primary, secondary, and tertiary hues, he plotted colors into a circle. Newton's work, which depicted the visible light spectrum, served as the foundation for color theory.

Understanding the Color Wheel

A color wheel typically has 12 colors. It includes primary, secondary, & tertiary colors.

Primary Colors

These simple colors. You can't mix other colors to make them. On the traditional color wheel, the primary colors are red, yellow, & blue.

Secondary Colors

When you mix two primary colors, you get secondary colors. They are orange, green, & purple.

Tertiary Colors

These result when you mix a primary color with a secondary color that's next to it on the wheel. For example, mixing red & orange gives you red-orange.

Color Harmonies

Color harmonies refer to combinations of colors that look good together.

Analogous Colors: These are colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel. They usually match nicely and create calm & cozy designs.

Complementary Colors: Opposite colors on the wheel create a strong contrast. When combined, they give a bright & lively look.

Triadic Colors: This scheme consists of three colors spaced evenly around the wheel. They’re often bright and work well together.

Split-Complementary Colors: This one uses a base color plus two colors next to its opposite on the wheel. It gives strong contrast but feels less tense than straight complementary colors.

Tetradic Colors: Here, you have two pairs of complementary colors. This creates lots of options for colorful designs!

Colour Properties

• Hue: This is the name of a color, like or blue. It's the purest version of a color without mixing white or black.

• Tint: When you add white to a color, you create a tint. This makes the color lighter.

• Tone: A tone is made by mixing gray into a color. This softens how strong it looks.

• Shade: You get a shade by adding black to a color. This darkens it.

• Saturation: Indicates the color's level of purity or intensity. Elevated saturation level? The hue is vivid and bright. Diminished saturation? It is more subdued or toned.

• Value: A color's lightness or darkness is indicated by this. A tint is created when a color and white are combined. Shade is produced by adding black.

Color Psychology

The study of how humans perceive and how human emotions and behaviors are influenced is called Color psychology. Certain hues for colors also affect particular psychological reactions in humans. Color psychology is also used by designers for color theory in graphic design and color theory in ui design for better visualizations.

Design decisions taken by artists and designers in a variety of industries are influenced by color psychology. This is done so to explore how colors affect human behavior and emotions and therefore help in taking better decisions for visuals. This also explains how individual variances and cultural influences impact color perceptions as well as how color theory can be used practically in design industries.

Color Interaction

The term "color interaction" describes how distinct hues interact with one another for the different alterations on perceptions of color and can also produce a variety of visual effects that will include vibrancy, contrast, and harmony.

• Darker surrounding color –the central square appears lighter

Lighter surrounding color –the central square appears darker

• The perceived difference between two colors appears more distinct when they are surrounded by a third color.

Sample Questions:

Q. Fill the grid with colors according to the following themes.

Theme 01: Dawn Theme 02: Extrovert

*Hint - To solve this type of question first breakdown the meaning of Theme into keywords and then picking the color according to how they feel and express it.

Q. Look for a comparable combination on the color wheel using options (NID DAT 2024)

1. Yellow-Orange/Yellow/Yellow-Green

2. Red-Orange/Red/Magenta

3. Purple/Blue/Green

4. Yellow/Cyan/Orange