Module 2 of Graphics Design- Color Theory.pdf

Color Theory, Color Wheel, Harmonies, Psychology of Color

1. MARIA FE NOVERE E. AMOR
Associate Professor IV
Module 2: Color Theory &
Typography
Color Wheel, Harmonies, Psychology of Color

2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO):
By the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1.Explain the basics of the color wheel and how colors relate to one
another.
2.Identify different types of color harmonies and apply them in
design.
3.Recognize how colors influence human psychology and emotions.
4.Define the anatomy of typography and its key parts.
5.Apply principles of type pairing and readability in practical design.

3. Color Theory
THE POWER OF COLOR
Why color is important:
➢It catches attention (like a red stop sign).
➢It can make you feel something (blue feels calm, red feels
exciting).
➢It can communicate without words (green = “go,” red = “stop”).
➢Example: When you see yellow arches, you already know it’s
McDonald’s

4. ❑Color Wheel
➢A visual representation of colors
arranged in a circle to show relationships
between primary, secondary, and tertiary
colors.
➢Sir Isaac Newton (17th century) created
the first color wheel.
➢Made of the seven colors of the rainbow,
was later improved to 12 different hues.
•Warm Colors: Red, Orange, Yellow
(energetic, attention-grabbing).
•Cool Colors: Blue, Green, Violet (calming,
soothing).

5. Primary Colors: Red, Blue,
Yellow – cannot be created
by mixing other colors.
Tertiary Colors: Made by
mixing a primary with a
secondary (e.g., Yellow orange,
red-orange, blue-green)
Secondary Colors: Green,
Orange, Violet – made by
mixing two primaries.

6. Hue, Saturation, Value
•Hue – Just another word for
color (like red, green, blue)
•Saturation (Tone) – How
bright or dull a color is.
Saturation is often used for
digital colors; tone is more
common in painting.
•Value - How light or dark a
color is.
–Shade = A hue darkened by
adding black.
–Tint –=A hue lightened by
adding white.

7. Adding and Subtracting Color
•CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) –
Subtractive color model used for printing.
–Adding colors → closer to black
–No color → white (paper background)
–Works on a 0–100 scale
•RGB (Red, Green, Blue) – Additive color model
used for screens.
–Adding colors → closer to white
–No color → black (screen off)
–Works on a 0–255 scale
Tip: Use RGB for digital design and CMYK for
printing.

8. Color Harmony
•Colors that look good
together and create pleasing
contrasts.
•Based on relationships on the
color wheel.
•Used in websites, logos, and
interior design.
•Can adjust brightness and
saturation to create harmony.

9. Complementary Colors
•Colors opposite each other on the color
wheel (e.g., red & green). High
contrast; makes things stand out.

10. Split-Complementary
•One base color + two colors next to its
complement. Vibrant but easier to use
than full complementary.

11. Analogous
•Three colors next to each other on the wheel.
Harmonious and soothing; good for interiors and décor.
•Stick to the 60-30-10 rule to maintain a visually
appealing balance. 60% neutral colors, 30% secondary
color and 10% accent colors

12. Triadic
•Three colors evenly spaced on the wheel (e.g., red,
yellow, blue). Bold, balanced, and versatile.

13. Tetradic (Double Complementary)
•Two complementary pairs (4 colors). Vibrant but should
be used carefully.

14. Square
• Four colors evenly spaced on
the wheel. Fun and lively, but
can look garish if not
balanced.

15. Monochromatic
•One hue with different shades, tints, and
tones. Simple, harmonious, and visually
rich.

16. Psychology of Color (How colors make us feel)
•Study of how colors affect mood, emotions, and perceptions.
Common Associations:
–Red: Passion, energy, urgency, Love, excitement, urgency (SALE signs)
–Blue: Trust, calm, professionalism (Facebook, banks)
–Yellow: Optimism, happiness, caution, energetic (smiley faces)
–Green: Nature, growth, health (Starbucks, eco products)
–Purple: Luxury, creativity, mystery (Cadbury chocolate)
–Black: Power, elegance, formality (luxury cars)
–White: Purity, simplicity, cleanliness (weddings, Apple products)

17. Tips for Using Color in Design
•Don’t use colors that “vibrate” against each other (like red +
blue).
•Use neutral colors (black, white, gray) to balance bright colors.
•Always check readability: dark text on light background is
easiest.

18. Learning Task
1.Quiz
•Based on the lesson you have read, please answer the quiz
through the link provided below. Make sure to submit your
responses no later than 10PM today.
https://forms.gle/sxEc9NZ1od2EgXVN7

19. Learning Task: Color Harmony in Action
Instructions:
1.Look for everyday objects at home (such as clothes, school supplies, furniture, or food packaging).
2.Choose two types of color harmony (e.g., complementary and analogous).
3.Arrange the objects to clearly show these harmonies.
▪Example: A red T-shirt and a green bag → Complementary
▪Example: Blue notebook, green folder, and violet pencil case → Analogous
4.Take a photo of each arranged example.
5.Write 1–2 sentences for each photo explaining:
–What type of harmony it shows?
–How the color combination makes you feel?
6.Paste your photos and explanations into a Word document.
7.Save your file using this format: FamilyName_FirstName_ColorHarmony.docx
8.Upload them in your corresponding drive link:
BSIT-3A - https://tinyurl.com/4d7whtte
BSIT-3B - https://tinyurl.com/mtubnkx3

20. Color Harmony in Action (30 points total)
Criteria Excellent (10) Good (7) Needs Improvement
(4)
Accuracy (10 pts) Both examples clearly
show the correct color
harmonies
One example is correct,
the other partly correct
Examples do not
clearly show color
harmony
Creativity (10 pts)Very creative
arrangement of
objects; unique and
visually appealing
Some creativity shown;
arrangement is simple
Minimal creativity;
arrangement looks
random
Explanation (10 pts)Clear and complete
sentences explain the
harmony and feelings
Explanation is partly
clear or missing some
details
Explanation is unclear
or missing