Color Basics for Designers

Color is a critical component of any design, digital or printed. It brings a design to life by imbuing it with emotion. In this way, it is a powerful tool that can be used to communicate information to, or elicit emotion from, the viewer. Brands in specific industries have adopted standard color palettes for this very reason. Leveraging color and color basics in your designs requires not only an understanding of the psychology of color but also the technical implementation.

Using Color as a Tool

In design, we often use color to emphasize or highlight important information. Warning labels are a great example of this; when you think of a warning sign, what color do you envision? The most likely answer is either yellow or red because these colors are easily noticed—and hard to ignore. Designers also use color to evoke happiness (yellow), communicate luxury (purple), or even suggest that a product is inherently fun (orange). Today, more designers are using a lack of color (white space) to suggest simplicity, minimalism, and modernity. It’s important to note that these associations are based on an American perspective; studies show that a person’s reaction to color is closely linked to personal and cultural experiences.

How Color Relates to Industry

Speaking of culture, it has become customary for brands in some industries to adopt a standard color palette. Financial institutions gravitate towards shades of blue, for instance, because blue symbolizes trust and stability. Restaurant brands, on the other hand, tend to use more red. Red is, as mentioned earlier, an attention-grabbing color, and some even believe that this hue can make you hungry! For more information about how color relates to industry, check out this graphic chart.

Color Technicalities: CMYK vs. RGB

In addition to understanding the practical applications of color and color basics, a designer needs to know about color profiles. Color profiles, also referred to as ICC profiles, are complex. Every time you create a new design file, you are required to select a color profile. The two most common profiles are CMYK and RGB. As a general rule, you’ll want to use CMYK when designing for print and RGB when designing for the web. There are exceptions to this rule for more advanced design projects, so if you find yourself out of your element, it’s best to call in a professional.

Diace Designs has a team of professionals who are always up for a challenge and would love to help you take your designs to the next level. For professional design services (or just a consultation) contact us here.

About Kara Franco
Kara writes copy that speaks. She has a knack for creating clear, compelling messages without wasting words. She is passionate about digital marketing and believes that copy is the cornerstone of user experience.

Copywriter + Content Strategist
Kara@diacedesigns.com