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Colors

The definition of Colors

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meldredsalinel
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9 views

Colors

The definition of Colors

Uploaded by

meldredsalinel
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Topic: Lesson 15: Color Psychology, Color Schemes, Contrast and Legibility

Introduction

In the IT era, where digital tools and platforms dominate, color is more than just decoration—it plays a
major role in how we perceive and interact with the world. Whether it’s the app on your phone, a
website, or an advertisement, the colors used influence emotions, usability, and communication. This
report explains color psychology, color schemes, contrast, and legibility in simple terms, focusing on
how they affect our everyday digital lives.

Colors are very essential to your compositions. One may use combination or one or more colors.
It may be our instinct to choose color but there is a science behind it, called Color Theory. Color
Theory describes how different colors contribute to each other and how they appear as they are
mixed into other color schemes.

Color psychology

is the study of how different colors affect human mood and behavior. It explores how colors can
influence emotional responses, as well as how responses to color are affected by factors such as age and
cultural background.

Symbolic Color Meanings

Red: Passion, excitement, love

Pink: Soft, reserved, earthy

Purple: Mysterious, noble, glamorous

Blue: Wisdom, hope, reason, peace

Green: Nature, growth, freshness

Yellow: Hope, joy, danger

Orange: Warmth, kindness, joy

White: Truth, indifference

Black: Noble, mysterious, cold


terminologies used in color.
• Hue- Refers to pure, vibrant colors.

• Saturation- Refers to the intensity of the color. It ranges from black and white (or grayscale) to vibrant
color.
• Value- Refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. For example, from light blue to dark
blue.

Color Schemes

Of course, we can still remember the lessons about color during art lessons. We have primary colors,
then secondary colors and tertiary colors. A circular diagram of these colors is called a color wheel
. Using this wheel, we can create our own color scheme or combination.

Monochromatic Color Scheme


This color scheme only focuses on one color, and often using variations by incorporating saturations or
values. For example, if you chose the color blue, then you may have other colors under the same color
family like sky blue, baby blue, navy blue, or dark blue..

Achromatic Color Scheme


This color scheme only revolves on using desaturated colors like black, gray, and white.

Analogous Color Scheme

Analogous color scheme selects a group of three colors that are adjacent in the color wheel.

Complementary Color Scheme


These are colors that are direct opposite to each other in the color wheel. Usually, a combination of a
primary and secondary colors

Split-Complementary Color Scheme


Split-complementary color scheme uses the colors on both sides of the opposite color.

Triadic Color Scheme


This color scheme uses colors that form an equilateral triangle. It may be a combination of primary,
secondary, or tertiary colors.

Understanding Color Profiles- Whenever we open an image editing application or buy a printer ink at
the store, we may observe labels like RGB or CMYK. So, what are they? They are color profiles that we
need to consider if we create designs.

• RGB- This color profile consists of Red, Green, and Blue. You should use this profile for design that are
intended for screen displays.
• CMYK- This color profile consists of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). If you have a printer in
your house, you probably see these colors as inks. This profile is intended for designs
that are to be printed.

Contrast and Legibility

What is Legibility?

Legibility means how easy it is to read text. It depends on:

Font Type: Simple fonts like Arial are easier to read than fancy fonts like cursive.

Font Size: Text needs to be big enough for everyone to read.

Spacing: Proper spacing between lines and words makes reading smoother.

Why Contrast and Legibility Matter

Poor contrast or small text can frustrate users, especially people with visual impairments.

Following guidelines like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) ensures that websites and
apps are easy to use for everyone, including those with disabilities.

Why These Concepts Matter in the IT Era

1. Web and App Design:

Colors help guide users to take action, like clicking a button. Good contrast and readable text make
people stay on a website longer.

2. Marketing and Advertising:

Brands use colors to evoke emotions (e.g., red for excitement, blue for trust). Eye-catching color
schemes make ads memorable.

3. Education and E-Learning:

Contrasting colors and clear text help students focus and learn better.

4. Healthcare and Well-being:

Apps for mental health use calming colors like green and blue to create a stress-free experience.

Conclusion
In today’s digital world, understanding how colors work isn’t just for designers—it affects all of us.
Whether you're creating a website, designing an app, or just choosing colors for a presentation, knowing
about color psychology, color schemes, contrast, and legibility helps you communicate more effectively.
Simple, thoughtful use of color makes digital spaces more enjoyable and accessible for everyone.

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