DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND IMAGING -- Week 07

- June 08, 2025

05.06.2025 (Week 07)

Lee Xiang Ling / 0384095

Digital Photography and Imaging / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media / Taylors University

Week 7 — Colour Theory & Poster Design (Part 2)

Lecture

COLOUR THEORY

Colour theory is both a science and an art, explaining how humans perceive color and how it is expressed and communicated artistically and emotionally.

Fig. 1&2 - Colour Wheel

1. RGB vs CMYK

Fig. 3 - RGB vs CMYK

RBG

- It is used to display on your computer screen

- It is a additive color mixing model. Colour is made by mixing red, green, and blue (RGB) light at different intensities. TVs, screens, and projectors use RGB as primary colours.

Fig. 4 - The colour of RGB

CMYK

- Cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK) are the primary colors of printing.

- It is the subtractive color mixing model. Colour is created by subtracting light in the CMYK system, which is used for printing.

Fig. 5 - The colour of CMYK

2. Hue, Shade, Tint and Tone

- Hue is the most basic of color terms and denotes an object’s color.

- Shade is a hue to which black has been added. For example, red + black = burgundy.

- Tint is a hue to which white has been added. For example, red + white = pink.

- Tone is a color to which black and white (or grey) have been added.

Fig. 6 - Example of Hue, Shade, Tint and Tone

3. Colour Harmony

- The arrangement of the colors in design in the most attractive and effective way for users’ perception.

Fig. 7 - Example of Colour Harmony

4. Monochromatic

- It is hard to make a mistake and create the distasteful color scheme.

Fig. 8 - Example of Monochromatic

5. Analogous

- Analogous are 3 colours located right next to each other on the colour wheel.

- Usually one of the three colors predominates.

Fig. 9 & 10 - Analogous

6. Complementary

- Complementary colors are opposite on the color wheel and create high contrast, unlike analogous or monochromatic schemes.

- It make imagery pop, but overusing them can get tiresome.

Fig. 11 & 12 - Complementary

7. Split-Complementary

- It involves the use of three colors. Start with one color, find its complement and then use the two colors on either side of it.

Fig. 13 & 14 - Split Complementary

8. Triadic

- Triadic colors are evenly spaced around the color wheel and tend to be very bright and dynamic.

- Using triadic color scheme creates visual contrast and harmony simultaneously.

Fig. 15 & 16 - Triadic

9. The Psychology of Colour

- Colors have an extraordinary ability to provoke specific emotions for each individual and to attract people’s attention and harmony simultaneously.

- While perceptions of color are somewhat subjective, some effects have universal meaning.

Fig. 17 & 18 - The Psychology of Colour

10. Warm vs Cool

- A line through the center of the color wheel separates warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) from cool colors (blues, greens, purples).

Fig. 19 & 20 - Warm and Cool

Warm

- Warm colors often evoke happiness, optimism, and energy. They can also grab attention and signal danger or action, like stop signs and hazard warnings. (Red, Yellow & Orange, etc.)

Fig. 21 - Warm

Cool

- Cool colors are calming and soothing but can also express sadness. (Blue, Green, etc.)

- Purple, a mix of blue and red, often sparks creativity.

Fig. 22 - Cool

Fig. 23 - Example of purple

11. Black & White

- Black is often used sparingly, like for text, but can work well as a primary element, such as backgrounds. It adds sophistication, elegance, mystery, and bold confidence.

- As a primary color, white conveys cleanliness, virtue, and health. It pairs well with almost anything, making it ideal as a secondary color.

Fig. 24 & 25 - Example of Black & White

Exercise

Instruction

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XiangLingLee (0384095)