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Color Schemer
Introduction to Color Theory
A brief history of color theory:
the color wheel and harmony
the color wheel and harmony
Techniques for creating
harmonious color combinations
harmonious color combinations
Is RYB and the color wheel
wrong and outdated?
wrong and outdated?
Color Models and Systems
Comparing RGB, HSL, HEX and CMYK,
and where they fall short for design
and where they fall short for design
Color management and calibration
across different monitors and devices
across different monitors and devices
Introduction to modern
color systems and models
color systems and models
Advanced Color Theory
Go Beyond the Color Wheel:
CIELAB and Advanced Color Models
CIELAB and Advanced Color Models
Coming Soon
Monochromatic Color Schemes:
Tips, Examples, and Applications
Tips, Examples, and Applications
Coming Soon
Applying Perceptual Color Spaces in Design: Techniques and Tools
Coming Soon
Making Colors "Pop" with Chevreul’s
Law of Simultaneous Contrast
Law of Simultaneous Contrast
Coming Soon
How to mix colors and
create beautiful gradients
create beautiful gradients
Coming Soon
Contrast and Accessibility
Utilizing WCAG to improve text readability and contrast
Coming Soon
Creating accessible designs for people with color vision deficiencies
Coming Soon
How popular is Dark Mode, and
is it actually useful?
is it actually useful?
Coming Soon
Color for Brand, Web and UI Design
Creating effective color palettes
for UI/UX design
for UI/UX design
Coming Soon
Color in typography and text hierarchy
Coming Soon
Color Theory for Data Visualization Design
Coming Soon
Biology, Psychology and Emotion
The impact of color on user
experience and behavior
experience and behavior
Coming Soon
Understanding color trends
and how they affect design
and how they affect design
Coming Soon
How biology and evolution
influence our perception of color
influence our perception of color
Coming Soon
Meanings of Color
Across Different Cultures
Across Different Cultures
Coming Soon
Debates and Opinions
Why perfect color matching
just isn't possible
just isn't possible
Coming Soon
Are black and white colors, and
should they be used in design?
should they be used in design?
Coming Soon
Is RYB and the color wheel wrong and outdated for modern design?
The RYB color wheel, rooted in historical pigment limitations, does not capture the entire color spectrum.
The RYB color wheel, a staple in traditional art, may be outdated for contemporary design. Today's digital and print media benefit from advanced color spaces which can represent the full color spectrum visible to the human eye.
Constrained by Pigments
Since inception, artists have been constrained by the pigments they could get their hands on. This lead to the adoption of RYB as primary colors in art and education, since nearly any color can be mixed out of them. However, RYB fails to reflect the full spectrum of colors, and mixing often dulls their vibrancy. Special pigments are still required for flashy colors, and new ones continue to be discovered today.
CMYK — the uncredited successor to RYB?
Even deciding what constitutes a true red, yellow or blue can be problematic. The CMYK model, utilizing specific cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks, emerges as a more accurate alternative to RYB. CMYK aligns closer with the true primary colors for subtractive color mixing, enabling a broader and more precise color spectrum for physical mediums, vital for complex designs and photorealistic prints.
Red
Red
Yellow
Yellow
Blue
Blue
Magenta
Magenta
Yellow
Yellow
Cyan
Cyan
The Color Wheel Is A Good Start
RYB and the color wheel are great introductory tools, and the color wheel can still be useful as a visual aid for exploring relationships between colors. However, advancing to modern models is essential for greater accuracy and versatility.
Modern color models break down colors into precise measures like hue, saturation, chroma, luminance, etc. They enable accurate color reproduction and facilitate more precise color matching, mixing and manipulation.
In the next lesson, we will start to look into newer color spaces and how they can benefit your designs.
Table of Contents