Color Theory Simplified: Everything You Need to Know

There are very few things in design which are more important than the use of colors. A color may evoke one emotion in a person while it may carry a totally different meaning to others. 

It sets the mood, creates an atmosphere, and grabs your attention. But sometimes it seems very complicated, isn’t it? 

Not anymore, as Emoris is here to simplify color theory for you via a guide that’s very easy to follow. Our goal is to make color theory understandable to anyone without any confusion.

We will start our journey from the very basics (like understanding the color wheel), moving on to the more advanced terms (like tints, shades, and tones). We’ll also keep exploring examples and infographics along the way to make things easier for you.

What is a Color Wheel and how to draw it?

Before we start, let’s do something fun: here’s an HTML version of the color wheel we coded! Give it a spin, you’ll like it!

Done? Great! Let’s learn more about what color wheel is now.

The color wheel is a circular arrangement of different colors (also called hues) that helps in understanding the relationship of one color with another. It is also a handy tool for selecting colors whether you're working on an art piece, designing a timeless logo, or putting together an event outfit.

We know that you will now be feeling a little lost on how to draw the color wheel? Don't worry, we've got your back! Have a look at the infographic below and learn to draw the color wheel in just 4 simple steps.

What are Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Colors?

Before moving forward, we want you to know that there are three commonly used primary color models in color theory. Artists debate on which one to use (a lot) but we are going to stick with the RGB color model for now and you don't need to remember them as it may get confusing and also not required if you're a beginner.

Following are the three color models used in color theory:
1. RGB color model (red, green, and blue)
2. CMYK color model (cyan, magenta, yellow and key)
3. RYB color model (red, yellow, and blue)

1. Primary Colors

Primary colors like red, green, and blue are the basic colors that can be mixed with each other or other colors like magenta, cyan, etc to create new colors. These colors can't be created by mixing any other colors together.

For example: You want to create a red color, but can’t, why is that? Because it's actually impossible, as red is a pure color on the color wheel which means that no combination of colors can create a red color. Also, if we mix two primary colors i.e., Red+Blue=Magenta is created which is also a proof that we can create new colors this way.

• Red: Red is a powerful and dynamic color that carries a lot of meanings and associations. It can evoke strong emotions such as passion, love, energy, excitement, urgency and even caution/danger.
• Green: Green is commonly associated with nature, growth, and renewal. It is the color of many living plants and represents balance and harmony. It can also be linked to wealth and prosperity.
• Blue: Blue color is often associated with trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty, which is why it is commonly used in corporate branding. It is also known to evoke feelings of calmness, serenity, and peace. Additionally, blue is associated with intelligence, wisdom, and knowledge, possibly because it is the color of the sky and ocean, which are both vast and seemingly endless.

2. Secondary Colors

Secondary colors are the colors formed by the combination of primary colors. For example - Red+Green=Yellow, here Yellow is the secondary color, as simple as that. We’re not going learn the meanings of all secondary colors as it will lengthen the post.

• Yellow: Yellow is often associated with friendliness, happiness, joy, optimism and positivity. It is a warm and attention-grabbing color which is why It is used in design to emphasise important elements.

3. Tertiary Colors

Tertiary colors are those colors which are formed after further combining secondary colors + primary colors. For example: Magenta+Red=Rose

Still finding these concepts difficult? No need to worry. We have provided an infographic below that will further simplify these terms for you.

What are Warm and Cool Colors?

The color wheel you just saw above can be divided into two parts: On one side, we have the transition from Rose to Lemon Green (left curve), giving us the cool colors. And on the other side, we have the fiery shift from Red to Yellow(right curve), giving us the warm colors. Let's dive deeper and discuss them in details.

1. Warm Colors

Warm colors include reds, oranges and yellows. They evoke feelings of energy, passion, and warmth. They can also create a sense of excitement, happiness, and joy.

Let us ask you a question now. How do you feel when you see a campfire? You feel warm. That is exactly what warm colors are. Everything you see close to a fire or a spicy chilly is a warm color.

2. Cool Colors

Cool colors include every color that is not warm. In our case, they include Rose, Magenta, Violet, Blue, Azure, Cyan, Spring-Green, Green, and Lemon Green. Cool colors evoke feelings of freshness, calmness, clarity, and relaxation. Overall, cool colors tend to have a soothing and refreshing effect on the viewer.

Alright, here's another question. How do you feel when you see a forest, or an ice-cube? You feel refreshing and cool. That is, what cool colors are. Basically, everything you see closer to blues and greens are cool colors.

Note: It's important to note that individual perceptions of warm and cool colors can vary depending on cultural and personal factors. For example, in some cultures, red may be associated with luck and happiness, while in others it may be associated with danger or warning.

What are Neutral Colors?

Neutral colors are colors that are not a part of the color wheel and are often described as being colorless. They include black, white, grey, cream, ivory and brown. These colors are often used as a base or background in design, and are typically paired with brighter, more vibrant colors to create contrast and visual interest.

Neutral colors are popular in design because they can create a calming, timeless, and sophisticated atmosphere. In branding, neutral colors are often used to create a sleek and professional look. Neutral colors can also be paired with metallics, textures, and patterns to add depth and interest to a design. Overall, neutral colors are versatile and essential to any design toolbox.

What is The Difference Between Hues, Tones, Shades, Tints and Saturation?

Once we've helped you to know the difference between the following key terms, you'll be a color theory pro. Then, we'll be ready to dive into the fun part: putting it all into practice!

Hues: Hues are the pure colors in a color wheel with no whites, blacks, and greys added. They basically are the “color” of the colors.

Tone: Tones are the colors formed by combining grey with a hue i.e., Hue+Grey=Tone

Shades: Shades are the colors formed by mixing black with a hue i.e., Hue+Black=Shade

Tints: Tints are the colors formed by blending white with a hue i.e., Hue+White=Tint

Saturation: Saturation refers to the intensity of a color. A color with high saturation appears bright and vivid, while a color with low saturation looks washed out or dull. Essentially, saturation describes the intensity of a color.

We know you may have heard of color theory terms like Chroma, Intensity, Brightness, Lightness, and more, but don't worry, you don't need to learn them right now as you'll pick them naturally along your art/design journey. Just keep these terms in mind and you're good to go.

Conclusion

We know color theory can be overwhelming at times, but it's an important aspect of design that can make a huge impact. Hopefully, we were able to simplify some information and made it easier for you.

Remember, don’t be afraid to experiment with colors and have fun with them. You won’t even realize how much you’re improving while you play around.

If you want to stick around, we recommend you reading our article on: Emotional Design and Why it Matters More Than You Think.

Bonus:

Book Recommendation: If you want to go into further depth and advanced methods of color theory, you can refer to The Complete Color Harmony Book. It has everything from color pairing, trends to color psychology and more. It can boost your color theory skills by upto 80%. Yes, we have tested it ourselves!