Potato Head

Review Week 8

Why must designers pay close attention to how color is utilized within a composition?

Color adds many things to a composition. Colors are used to symbolize mood and depth, so the colors that are used have a huge impact on the meaning of an image.

Why is the color wheel an important tool for graphic designers?

The color wheel can show a designer what colors go together and which ones clash. Also, the color wheel shows the progression of colors.

Add an example of neutral colors utilized within a design (hint: google poster design). Near the sample, discuss why you feel the designer included neutral colors within the composition.

This poster uses the neutral colors of brown and beige. The designer, in my opinion, used neutral colors to symbolize the simpleness of their photography company. If bright colors would have been used, it would have distracted the viewer away from the purpose of the poster.

Briefly describe how we "see" the color of an object?

We see the color of something by wavelengths. Each wavelength shows a different color. When a wavelength is reflected off of something, light is shown.

Podcast #2

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 the electromagnetic spectrum.

How do we see color if objects "have no color of their own"?

Absorb/reflect color

What is a glass prism?
Transparent, triangular object that breaks white light into all different colors.

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

Describe hue?
Color of light itself; each different hue has a different reflected wavelength

When does white light occur? 
All wavelengths are reflected back to your eye.

When does black light occur?
No light is reflected to your eye.

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

What is a color wheel?
Visual tool that shows the relationship with primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.

What are primary colors? Name them? 
Can only be naturally created. Red, yellow, blue.

What are secondary colors? Name them?
Primary+Primary; Orange, Green, Purple

What are tertiary colors? Name them?
Primary+Secondary; Red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green

What are neutral colors? How can they be created?

The colors don't show up on the color wheel; very low in saturation. Black, grey, whites, browns

How can a neutral color help a design?

Help put the focus on other colors

What are complementary colors? Name them?

 Positioned opposite of each other on the color wheel. Red, green, orange, blue, yellow, and violet

What is color value?

Lightness or darkness of a hue or color

What is a shade?

Adding black to a hue produces a low-value color (AKA shade)

What is a tint?

Adding white to a hue produces a high-value color (AKA tint)

What is saturation/intensity?

Brightness of a color

What happens when you mix complementary colors together?

Dull tone

Describe color harmony?

Pleasing arrangement of colors

What is a color scheme?

Harmonious color combinations

Describe a monochromatic color scheme?

Uses tints and shades (values) of one color; clean and elegant, easy on the eyes

Describe an analogous color scheme? '

Uses 3 adjacent colors on the color wheel one color is used as a dominant color while the rest are used to enrich the scheme; often found in nature and is pleasing to the eye, bright and cheery effect

Describe a complementary color scheme?

Uses 2 colors opposite each other on the color wheel, will draw a lot of attention

Describe a split-complementary color scheme?

Uses three colors:  1 color and 2 adjacent to its compliment; will draw attention but without the tension in the complementary color scheme.

Describe a triadic color scheme?

Uses 3 colors equally spaced; strong visual balance

What colors are considered to be warm colors?

Yellow, orange, red

Describe a warm color scheme?

Bold and energetic; tend to appear closer, don't overwhelm the design

What colors are considered to be cool colors?

Green, Blue, Violets

Describe a cool color scheme?

Calm, rarely overpowers the design appears farther away, illusion of depth

Why is important to consider which colors are being used within a design?
Colors help convey the message of a design, creates an emotional reaction.