Understanding and Using Color

Presented by:

Graphic Types

• Vector or Draw-Type

• Bitmap

Vector Graphics

• Geometric Shapes

• Each shape has a precise relationship to the other shapes

• Resized and Rotated without distortion

• Small file size

• Cannot display photo quality

Bitmap Graphics

• A collection of pixels

• Each pixel is a unique set on information

• Becomes distorted when resized or rotated

• Can represent subtle gradients of color

• Used for photographic images

• Larger file sixe

Graphic Software Types

• Draw Programs – create vector graphics– Drawing tool in Word– Illustrator

• Paint Programs - create bitmap images– Microsoft Paint– PaintShop Pro

• Image Editing Programs – make changes to existing images– Photoshop

Color Wheel

Primary Colors

YellowRedBlue

Secondary Colors

OrangeVioletGreen

Student Activity 1Connect to Word

• Select the drawing toolbar, if necessary– View → Toolbars → drawing

Color Wheel

RGBRED, GREEN, AND BLUE

The colors the computer uses to create what we see on the monitor.

Created by combining light.

Additive Primaries

CMYKCYAN, MAGENTA, YELLOW,

AND BLACKThe colors used in the printing process.

Created by reflections from pigmentSubtractive Primaries

Student Activity 2Open Microsoft Paint

• Start → Programs → Accessories → Paint

Using Color to Express Mood

• Warm vs. Cool

• Soft vs. Hard

• Light vs. Dark

• Passive vs. Active

Points to Consider

• Color is always relative

• Environment and Lighting affect how a color is perceived

• Different cultures respond to colors differently

• Some colors have specific associations

Warm vs. CoolVivid vs. Soothing

• Cool colors are on the color wheel from yellow-green to violet.– Associated with water and sky– Makes an element pop out

• Warm color are on the color wheel from red-violet to yellow. – Associated with sun and fire– Makes an element recede or stay in background

Student Activity 3Return to Microsoft Paint

Complete the activity drawing cool and warm graphics

COOL

WARM

Combining Warm and Cool

Complementary Colors

• Opposite each other on the color wheel

• Lower intensity by adding the compliment

• Combine to create excitement and energy

YELLOW

ORANGE

RED

Analogous Colors

• Next to each other on the color wheel

• Blend well together

Triadic Colors

• Three colors that are equal distance from each other on the color wheel

• Use to provide more color variety

• High energy colors

• Yellow, red, and blue

• Green, violet, and orange

• Yellow-green, blue-violet, and red-orange

Monochromatic

• All the hues (light and dark) of a single color

• Subtle and peaceful

Whiteall colors in balance

• Purity• Simplicity• Cleanliness• Peace• Innocence• Good• Sterility

• In Japan– Death

• In eastern cultures– Coldness

– sterility

Blackabsence of color

• Mourning

• Death

• Fear

• Formality

• Anger

• Elegance

• Wealth

Redwarm and energetic

• Love• Desire• Danger• Speed• Strength• Violence• Blood

• In China– Celebration

– Luck

• In India– Purity

Bluereliability

• Peace• Stability• Trust• Confidence• Security• Tranquility• Depression• Loyalty

• In China– Immortality

• In Columbia– Soap

• In Middle East– Protective

Yellowjoy

• Happiness• Dishonesty• Cowardice• Imagination• Illness• Hope

• In Asia– Sacred

– Imperial

Purplenoble

• Royalty• Spirituality• Nobility• Wisdom• Cruelty• Mourning• Arrogance

Orangeenergy

• Balance• Warmth• Vibrance• Demands attention

• In Ireland– Religious significance

• Protestant

Greenhealing

• Health• Good Luck• Youth• Nature• Envy• Jealousy• Inexperience• Fertility

• In India– The color of Islam

• In Ireland– Religious significance

• Catholic

Some Tropical Countries

– Danger

• In China– Cheating wife

Creating Depth With Color

• Colors that move forward– Bright

– Warn

– High-intensity

• Colors that move back– Cool

– Low-intensity

Example of Activity 4

Analogous

Example of

Activity 5

Triadic

Web sites about Color

• http://www.angelfire.com/linux/gopalfamily/colorwheel.html

• http://iit.bloomu.edu/vthc/Design/additive.htm

• http://www.colormatters.com/colortheory.html