Article

Basic Principles of Color in Graphic Design

Topic: Business DevelopmentPublished May 22, 2012
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Use of color in graphic design is a mighty tool to induce an emotional response by shoppers. When used properly, color has a mighty affect on how shoppers would accept the product, service or firm. To work out the correct color selection, graphic designer need to do carefully observation. TYPES OF COLOR In graphic design you will find three main color models: 1. CMYK 2. RGB 3. Pantone CMYK CMYK refers to (cyan, magenta, yellow, carbon (black)). With combination of these four colors in theory we can easily produce all other colors. RGB RGB refers to red, green, and blue. This variety of colors is used for what we see on display of computer monitor or TV. PANTONE Pantone colors are used in a process of printing when we want to have identical color matching, so when we want uniformity of colors it is the best to make use of Pantone colors.For instance, if someone wants to print catalog about his company he will do it applying CMYK model yet he will use Pantone color ( also called spot color) for his company's logo in order to be sure that logo will appears exactly as he wants to be. Use of Pantone (spot) colors will boost costs of offset printing (more info here) but it is crucial when we need to produce even look of printed material.The only limit of Pantone colors (but it is the same for all other colors) is their dependence of the type of paper or cardboard on which they're going to be printed. DIRECTIONS WHILE USING COLORS Colors can have different interpretation in different cultures. In China white is the color of death. Lighter and more powerful colors attracts shopper with modest salaries despite the fact that clients with highest incomes frequently use more refined colors. MEANING OF COLORS When doing design designer should have reason for choosing the color he is going to work with, if not how he is going to convince the contracting authority that the color he opt for is the right one for his project.Below you will find some of connotations connected with color: rnBlue:-sky-sea-water-trust-wisdom-trust-loyalty-stability-faith-peace rnRed:-fire-love-energy-passion-power-danger-heat-warning Green:-money-growth-envy-loyalty-stability-fertility-environmentally acceptable rnYellow:-energy-sun-creativity-happiness rnOrange:-sunlight-joy-success-encouragement-autumn Purple:-power-luxury-nobleness-nobility-spirituality rnBrown-earth-stability-organic-open space MARKETING POTENTIAL OF COLORrn RED- colors the eye fastest observe. Represents vigour, sex, danger, power. BLUE- bloodless color preferred primarily from European people meaning trust and reliability. YELLOW-warm and motivating like the sun, boosts emotions of happiness, youngsters love her most. Can be linked with betrayal. ORRANGE- hot, playful shade with out marks of aggression as in red, great to catch the attention of impulsive customers. GREEN- fresh and cold in common with nature, evolve, hope but also with illness and superstition. PURPLE- involved with religion, spirituality and dignity. PINK- lightly and gently, give security , it is use as a image of romance. WHITE- purity, in common with mother nature and light. In Asia is linked with grief and dying. BLACK- luxury, elegance, mystery, but also it is a symbol of death and occult. GOLD- noble color, valued SILVER- reputable color or sometimes can associate on something scientific. In business globe uniformity is best practice. Structure always ends in certainty and strength. One way that demonstrate strength and certainty is great graphic design that shows firms at its finest, and color as a part of that graphic design.

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About the Author

Saso is a graduated printing engineer specialized in offset printing (also prepress and postpress technics) with 15 years working experience who likes to share and upgrade his knowledge with anybody who is interested or need advice about this printing technology. Just simply visit my offset printing

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