Podcast 2: Color Theory

The right use of color can do what? Maximize productivity, minimize visual fatigue and relax the whole body.


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

Describe white light? Equal parts of all colors in visible spectrum.

How do we see color if objects "have no color of their own"? Absorb or reflect colors in the visible spectrum.

What is a glass prism? A transparent triangular object.

What seven colors result when white light is refracted through a prism? Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

Describe hue? The color its self.

When does white light occur? When light is reflected back to your eye.

When does black light occur? When there is no light.

How color is perceived depends on what? The type of light its seen with.

What is a color wheel? A wheel that shows all the primary, secondary, tertitary colors.

What are primary colors? Name them? Red, blue and yellow.

What are secondary colors? Name them? 2 primary colors mixed togther. Orange, green & violet.

What are tertiary colors? Name them? When primary & secondary colors are mixed togther. Red orange, yellow orange, blue green, yellow green, blue violet & red violet.

What are neutral colors? How can they be created? Colors of very low saturation. By mixing complentary color togther.

How can a neutral color help a design? Help put the focus on other colors.

What are complementary colors? Name them? Colors that are opposite on the color wheel. Red and green, orange and blue, and yellow and violet.

What is color value? Lightness and darkness of a hue(color).

What is a shade? A low value color.

What is a tint? A high value color.

What is saturation/intensity? Brightness of a color.

What happens when you mix complementary colors together? You produce a dull tone.

Describe color harmony? A pleasing arrangement of parts music, color, and poetry.

What is a color scheme? Used to create style and appeal.

Describe a monochromatic color scheme? Uses tints and shades of one color.

Describe an analogous color scheme? Uses 3 colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel.

Describe a complementary color scheme? Uses 2 colors that are opposite to each other in the color wheel.

Describe a split-complementary color scheme? Uses 3 colors, 1 color and 2 colors adjacent to its compliment.

Describe a triadic color scheme? Uses 3 colors that are equally spaced around the color wheel.

What colors are considered to be warm colors? Yellow, orange and red.

Describe a warm color scheme? Is a bold and energetic color scheme.

What colors are considered to be cool colors? Blue, green and violet.

Describe a cool color scheme? Gives the impression of calm and rarely overpowers the message of the design.

Why is important to consider which colors are being used within a design? To convey the right tone and message.