Color Help: Color Theory And Design Psychology
|
Color theory is an entire science unto itself, and to get a full picture of how it all works, I'd suggest picking up a few art books. In this article, however, we're going to take a brief look at the essentials of color theory, in light of the concepts of Design Psychology. we'll first list a term, and then offer a short summary of how the term relates to Design Psychology.
Hue
The base name of a color without any white, gray, or black added. The terms hue and color are interchangeable.
Color wheel
A color wheel contains twelve colors, based on primitive pigments. The three primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. Three secondary colors (composed of combinations of the three primary colors) follow: red and blue make purple; red and yellow make orange; yellow and blue make green. Six tertiary colors (comprised of combinations of primary and secondary colors) form the remainder of the color wheel: yellow-orange, red-orange, violet, blue-green, and yellow-green. Black is the total absence of color and white is the reflection of all colors.
Value or Lightness
This denotes the degree of lightness or darkness of a hue, in relation to pure white or black.
Intensity, Saturation, or Croma:
This term describes the degree of purity of a hue as compared to neutral gray of the same value. This is the freedom from added white or gray; how bright or dull a color appears in relation to the basic hue.
Shades
These are deep tones, in which black is added to a color.
Tints
These are pastels, in which white is added to a color.
Tone
Adding gray of the same value to a hue or adding its complement creates a tone.
Saturation
The intensity or depth of color, such as dark or light.
Monochromatic Color Schemes
This term is used to describe rooms with only tints and shades of the same color. Neutral color schemes are usually monochromatic.
Analogous, Side-by-Side, or Related Color Schemes
These rooms use adjacent colors to the principal color on the color wheel. This is considered a friendly scheme, because the colors blend well and create a soft effect.
Complementary or Opposite Color Schemes
Rooms that use colors from opposite sides of the color wheel. This is considered to be a power and action scheme.
Triad
Consists of three colors, spaced an equal distance apart on the color wheel. Triad color schemes can potentially cause glaring and confusing feelings when all the colors are intense.
Tetrad
Consists of four colors, spaced an equal distance apart on the color wheel. Tetrad color schemes create interesting effects because of the potential variety available. They are best when two colors dominate.
Topographical Color Schemes
These schemes contain colors from nature, such as rocks, earth, sky, sea, and plants.
Floral Color Schemes
These schemes use brilliant or pastel colors found in plants and flowers.
Colorways
Fabrics and wallpapers come in different combinations of colors, or colorways. A fabric pattern will have several selections of colorways to choose from. A pattern may be available in colorways of: yellow, blue and green, red, blue and green; or purple, burgundy and blue.
Visual Vibration
This occurs when neighboring colors appear to clash and vibrate in our vision, creating a dizzying effect that adds to nervousness and tiredness.
Cusp Colors
These are colors on the edge of two colors that take on different values under different lighting situations, such as, dark blue/purple (periwinkle), orange/red (terra-cotta reds), and blue/greens (teal). Periwinkle may appear more purple than dark blue at night or under different lighting systems.
Simple Color
This is a true color, without additive colors, such as sky blue, grass green, or apple red. A simple color is a pure color.
Complex Color
This is a combination of colors, such as silvery blue, or lichen (grayish green-brown). A complex color is a color that requires a long description, such as "sort of a grayish-blue with a hint of pink."
Palette
The entire range of colors used in a design project.
These are the basic terms used to describe color schemes within the concepts of Design Psychology. Learning them is the first step toward creating dynamic spaces for both the interior and exterior of your home.
(c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.
Professor Jeanette Fisher, author of Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Joy to the Home, and other books teaches Real Estate Investing and Design Psychology. For more articles, tips, reports, newsletters, and sales flyer template, see http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com/pages/5/index.htm
|
|
|
Guide To Bathroom Design
The first step is to plan the design ? as with kitchens, your local supplier will run off a computer-generated plan based on the room's dimensions and your particular requirements.If you're sticking with the same layout, measure your bathroom suite carefully before you go shopping for a replacement so that you know the new items will fit.Re-plumbing and re-wiring will push the cost up so stick with the existing service points if possible ? although this may be unavoidable if you want to change the position of the bathroom suite.First decide o...(related: Home Improvement)
Acting As Your Own General Contractor When Building Your Dream Home
This article is intended for the DIY (Do It Yourself) home builder; however, it is very useful information for the new ho...(related: Home Improvement)
Buying The Right Bed Sheets For Your Bed
You spend a lot of your life in your bed sleeping and rejuvenating for the next day's activity. Sleeping is a process that...(related: Home Improvement)
Electrical Safety And Power Tools
Power tools are one of the greatest conveniences for getting handyman jobs and professional jobs done quickly, but since power tools often run on electricity, it...(related: Home Improvement)
A Fabric Hammock Is Comfortable Casual Chic
If you are looking for unique seating inside or out, why not consider a hammock? What comes to mind when you picture a hammock? Do you see yourself on the islands? Are you swaying in the breeze while watching the kids play in the pool? Are you watching the stars at night on your hammock for two? You can be on vacation year round when you add a hammock to a room or patio. You instantly create a casual chic or sophisticated hand designed elegance. There are fabric styles such as the beautiful Brazilian hammock that are elegant yet have the aura of pure everyday relaxation.They're inviting are...(related: Home Improvement)
Air Sanders: Forget Electric, Go Air!
An air sander is a common air tool often overlooked by most people. If you already have an air compressor to run your impact wrench, you may consider purchasing an air sander instead of an electric model. Your average off the shelf electric san...(related: Home Improvement)
Duct Cleaning - Proper Principals And Practices
As a qualified duct cleaning contractor I have discovered that most homeowners feel that they are very uninformed when it come to the principals and practices of ...(related: Home Improvement)
Lighting Up Your Life
You are visiting a friend that has just had a beautiful kitchen remodel done. It is a lovely kitchen with stunning granite countertops and a sharp looking tile backsplash. The glass door cabinets are filled with the good china. Somehow after spending a small fortune the room still ...(related: Home Improvement)
Popular Trends In Home Technology
As a former home automation installer and a former manufactures rep, I have observed many trends. The following items are certainly the hotest trends this year in home technology.VoIP (pronounced Voice over IP) refers to making telephone calls using your high-speed internet connection. This technology is gaining ground very fast, as new users are discovering it is 50-75% cheaper the comparable standard telephone service and congress is standing behind the technology for now, no taxes or legislation to mess it up ? yet... The a catch? Several m...(related: Home Improvement)
site-map - Copyright © 2007 | Contact Webmaster | All Rights Reserved | Free Articles and Information | Home Improvement