Color plays a major role in our visual perception as it influences our reactions about world around us.A fundamental grasp of color perception and psychology in graphic and web design is therefore critical in order to create palettes that evoke the appropriate audience reactions.
Red
The hottest and most dynamic color, red is activating, stimulating, passionate, exciting, powerful, and expanding.
Where to use:
Use minimally in its purest form as an accent to draw attention to critical elements.
Fro depicting designs that portray power or passion.
Orange
Not as overwhelming as red, orange is a balanced color that is vibrant and energetic while being friendly inviting.
Where to use:
To give friendly and inviting impression.
For designs depicting movement and energy without being overpowering.
Yellow
The brightest and most energizing of warm colors, yellow is happy, warm, stimulating and expansive.
Where to use:
To give an impression of happiness and cheerfulness.
Young to Old: In its pure form, yellow can be used for designs concerning children, while darker shades can be used to give sense of antiquity.
Green
This cool secondary color is calming, balancing and rejuvenating. Green represents stability and inspires possibility.
Where to use:
To represent balance and harmony in a design.
Use darker shades to represent stability and affluence.
Blue
Blue represents dependability, trustworthiness and security. It can also characterize calm and spirituality.
Where to use:
Dark blues are excellent for corporate and business designs.
Lighter blues can be used for social websites that represent calm and friendliness.
Purple
Purple represents nobility, abundance and dignity, but can also stand for creativity and imagination.
Where to use:
Darker shades of purple characterize wealth and luxury.
Softer shades can be associated with spring and romance.
Monochromatic
Used as a backdrop in designs in conjunction with brighter accent colors.
Black:
Represents power, elegance and modernity, can also characterize mysteriousness.
Gray:
Represents neutrality and calm. A lack of energy can be associated with conservative design.
White:
Represents clarity, cleanliness, hope and openness. Can also be associated with sterility and simplicity.
Browns
Used as a backdrop in designs in conjunction with textures.
Cream:
Represents calm, elegance and purity.
Tan/Beige:
Represents conservatism and piety. Like gray, it can be perceived as being dull.
Brown:
Represents wholesomeness and reliability. A stable color, brown can be associated with experience and comfort.
