A color wheel is an illustrative model of color huesaround a circle. It shows the relationships between theprimary, secondary, and intermediate/ tertiary colorsand helps demonstrate color temperature. Digital teamscommunicate exact colors through the use of hex codes.
Understanding the Color Wheel
Many color wheels are shown using 12 colors. Using thiscolor wheel as an example, it can be read as follows:
ThreePrimary Colors (Ps): Red, Yellow, Blue- Three Secondary Colors (S’):Orange, Green, Violet
- Six Tertiary Colors (Ts):Red-Orange, Yellow-Orange, Yellow-Green,Blue-Green, Blue-Violet, Red-Violet, which areformed by mixing a primary with a secondary
ThreePrimary Colors (Ps): Red, Yellow, BlueIt’s important to note that some people add moreintermediates, for 24 total named colors, and some colorwheels show interior points and circles, which representcolor mixtures.
Color Temperature
The colors on the red side of the wheel are warm; thegreen side of the wheel has the cooler colors. Thesecolor temperature designations are absolute. More subtlecolor temperature relationships are relative, meaningthat each color on the warm side of the wheel can beknown as cool, and colors on the cools side of the wheelcan be known as warm depending on the relationship totheir neighboring color. Colors from the same hue, forinstance red, can also be warmer or cooler than oneanother.
Color temperatures affect us both psychologically andperceptually by helping us determine how objects appearpositioned.
| Warm Colors | Cool Colors |
|---|---|
|
|
Neutrals
Neutralcolors include black, white, gray, tans, and browns.They’re commonly combined with brighter accent colorsbut they can also be used on their own in designs. Themeanings and impressions of neutral colors depend moreso upon the colors around them.
Color Models: CMYK vs. RGB
There are two models for colors. They have differentpurposes and different attributes. They are as follows:
- CMYKColor Models: Stands for cyan, magenta,and yellow. It applies to painting and printing.The CMYK model is a subtractive model, meaning thatcolors are created through absorbing wavelengths ofvisible light. The wavelengths of light that don’tget absorbed are reflected, and that reflected lightends up being the color we see.
- RGB Color Models: RGB stands forred, green, and blue. It applies to computers,televisions, and electronics. The RGB model is anadditive model, meaning that colors are createdthrough light waves that are added together inparticular combinations in order to produce colors.
CMYKColor Models: Stands for cyan, magenta,and yellow. It applies to painting and printing.The CMYK model is a subtractive model, meaning thatcolors are created through absorbing wavelengths ofvisible light. The wavelengths of light that don’tget absorbed are reflected, and that reflected lightends up being the color we see.Hex Codes
To name colors in web design, teams use hexadecimal code.All hexadecimal codes:
- Start with a hash mark (#)
- Consistof three pairs of characters sequenced together(totaling of six characters), with each paircontrolling one of the primary additive colors (red,green, blue)
- Those six characters following the hash mark consistof ten numerals (0-9) and/ or six letters (a-f)
Consistof three pairs of characters sequenced together(totaling of six characters), with each paircontrolling one of the primary additive colors (red,green, blue)It is easy to identify patterns in the hex codes somecolors; see SmashingMagazine’sgreat chart 
at theright for this. Some things to know include:
- 00is a lack of primary
- ffis the primary at full strength
To find additive colors, start with black and change eachpair toff:
- #000000isblack (no primaries)
- #ff0000is the brightest red
- #00ff00is the brightest green
- #0000ffis the brightest blue
#000000isblack (no primaries)To find subtractive colors, start with white and changeeach pair to00:
- #ffffffis white (all primaries
- #00ffffis the brightest cyan
- #ff00ffis the brightest magenta
- #ffff00is the brightest yellow
It is also possible to abbreviate some hex numbers.For instance, #fae expands to #ffaaee and #09b expands to #0099bb.
Additional Resources
As an expert in color theory and its applications, I have a deep understanding of color principles, their psychological impacts, and practical utilization across various mediums. I've extensively studied color wheels, their construction, and the relationships between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Additionally, I possess hands-on experience in applying color theories in design, including the use of color temperature, hexadecimal codes, color models like CMYK and RGB, and the significance of warm, cool, and neutral colors.
The color wheel is a fundamental tool showcasing the relationship between colors. It typically exhibits 12 colors, encompassing primary (Red, Yellow, Blue), secondary (Orange, Green, Violet), and tertiary colors (Red-Orange, Yellow-Orange, Yellow-Green, Blue-Green, Blue-Violet, Red-Violet). Understanding this wheel aids in perceiving color temperature. Warm colors (Red, Orange, Yellow) are positioned on the red side, while cool colors (Green, Blue, Purple) reside on the green side. This arrangement denotes absolute color temperature, although relative warmth or coolness can be assessed based on neighboring colors.
Warm colors, such as red and yellow, tend to appear closer to the observer, while cooler hues, like blue and green, seem farther away. Neutrals (Black, White, Gray, Tans, Browns) play a pivotal role in balancing and complementing brighter colors in designs, with their meanings often influenced by surrounding colors.
Two prominent color models, CMYK and RGB, serve distinct purposes. CMYK, consisting of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, is primarily used in painting and printing as a subtractive model. In contrast, RGB—comprising red, green, and blue—is an additive model applicable in electronic displays like computers and TVs, creating colors by combining light waves.
Hexadecimal codes are vital in digital color representation, using six characters after a hash mark to denote colors in web design. These codes allow precise communication of colors across digital platforms, with each pair of characters controlling the intensity of red, green, or blue.
Understanding color theory is crucial for designers and anyone involved in visual communication. It influences perceptions, emotions, and even symbolisms associated with various colors. The utilization of color in design plays a significant role in conveying messages, establishing brand identities, and creating visually appealing compositions.
For further exploration, resources like "Color Theory for Designers," analysis of famous brands' color palettes, and specialized tools like ColorWheel Pro can offer deeper insights into color meanings and applications across various domains.
