check it out online at www.belyea.com/svc/all_about_color.pdf
Who am I?
I got the blues Experience and Emotions through color
PASSION
JOY
Depression
HARMONY
CREATIVITY
PEACE
MOURNING
It s a bird, it s a plane... What is color?
Color is a perceptual sensation created in the human mind in response to certain wavelengths of electromagnetic energy that constitute the visible spectrum of light. Human perception of and response to these wavelenghts is affected by many factors including physiology, psychology, language, and culture. Color Design Workbook (Suggested reading for this class)
The quality of an object or substance with respect to light reflected by the object, usually determined visually by measurement of hue, saturation, and brightness of the reflected light. Dictionary.com
A phenomenon of light (as red, brown, pink, or gray) or visual perception that enables one to differentiate otherwise identical objects. Merriam-Webster s Dictionary
Time to go all techy on yah A technical look at color and the always popular visual spectrum
Technical Details Definition Color is basically just a bunch of different wavelengths. Humans can distinguish between these wavelengths and therefore we see the world in bright, beautiful color. These wavelenghts come in all sorts of shapes and size, long wavelengths appear to us as red, while short wavelengths are violet.
Technical Details the human color space Our eyes have three types of color receptors: Red, Green and Blue. Therefore, everything we see is reduced to these colors or combinations of them.
Technical Details VISUAL Spectrum The Visual Spectrum is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye. Ultraviolet and Infrared fall outside of the Visual Spectrum.
Technical Details Black vs. White White = All colors Black = No colors
So what s it all mean? Color defined for the graphic designer
Color in the Design World Color systems There are 3 primary color systems that the designer needs to be aware of: Additive or Pure Light Primaries (RGB) Subtractive or Printer s Primaries (CMY) Subtractive or Artist s Primaries (RYB)
Color in the Design World RGB Color system Additive or Pure Light Primaries (RGB) RGB is Red, Green and Blue. Since these 3 colors make up the Human Color Space, this color system is the most pure and has the most brightness or intesity. When these colors overlap, they create Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and White. White is acheived by seeing all colors. This system is called Additive.
Color in the Design World CMY Color system Subtractive or Printer s Primaries (CMY) CMY is Cyan, Magenta and Yellow. This system has physical properties that absorb color. For instance, the sensation of color is when the paper absorbs all wavelenghts except those that the eyes perceive. When these colors overlap, they create Red, Blue, Green and Black. That is why this is called a Subtractive system, because it subtracts wavelengths.
Color in the Design World RYB Color system Subtractive or Artist s Primaries (RYB) RYB is Red, Yellow and Blue. RYB is the most common color system in art classes and is the basis for most color theory. This color system is similar to CMY where when all colors combined create black. When overlapped, they create Orange, Green and Purple. This is also a Subtractive system.
The wheels on the color wheel go round and round You guessed it! the color wheel
The Color Wheel 12 step Color Wheel RYB Color Wheel Color wheels can vary from the simple to the complex. This 12 step model is a good middle ground.
The Color Wheel 12 step Color Wheel Primary Colors Red Yellow Blue
The Color Wheel 12 step Color Wheel Secondary Colors Purple Orange Green
The Color Wheel 12 step Color Wheel Tertiary Colors Purple red Red orange Orange yellow Yellow green Green blue Blue purple
My a-capella group was sweet! Color harmonies
Color Harmonies Complementary Complementary Colors that are directly across from each other on the color wheel. These colors have the most contrast and will excite the eye.
Color Harmonies Split Complementary Split Complementary Three colors where one color is accompanied by two colors equadistant from its compliment. Less contrast than complimentary colors, creating a more sophisticated look.
Color Harmonies Double Complementary Double Complementary A combination of two pairs of complimentary colors. Using equal amounts of these four colors will be pretty intense and jarring.
Color Harmonies Analogous Analogous Two or more colors spaced equally from each other. Since they all have similar light wavelenghts, this color scheme is easy on the eyes.
Color Harmonies Triadic Triadic Three colors that are spaced evenly around the color wheel. Some of these combinations can seem garish, while others are quite nice.
Color Harmonies Monochromatic Monochromatic Made of shades or tints of the same color. Low contrast and very pleasing to the eye.
The nitty-gritty properties of color
Properties of Color Hue Hue The description of the dominant wavelength of a color. Hue is also called the name of a color. Blue-Purple Blue Light Blue
Properties of Color Saturation Saturation A measure of the purity of the hue determined by the amount of gray it contains. The more gray the color, the lower the saturation. Saturation is also called chroma. High Saturation Mid Saturation Low Saturation
Properties of Color Brightness Brightness The amount of light reflected by a color. The more light reflected, the whiter the color (white is all light reflected). Brightness is also called value. High Brightness Mid Brightness Low Brightness
Part Deux
Battle Royale CMYK vs. RGB
CMYK vs. RGB Which system do you use? CMYK = Print RGB = Monitor
Baby steps to the printer inks
Inks CMYK
Inks SPOT
Layin it down How to get ink on paper
Getting Ink on Paper PRINTING Processes Engraving Thermography Reprographics Digital Printing Letterpress Screen Flexography Offset Very nice Cheap engraving Copying stuff Cheap, quick, bad Beautiful, classic Think posters & t-shirts Like letterpress, but flexible The one, the only
Getting Ink on Paper LETTERPRESS PRINTING
Getting Ink on Paper SCREEN PRINTING
Getting Ink on Paper OFFSET PRINTING
Getting Ink on Paper OFFSET PRINTING water INK PLATE OFFSET PAPER IMPRESSION
You re almost there controlling color on press
Controlling Color on Press ways to control color Paper Choice Dot Pattern Ink Draw Down Loose Color Proofs Composed Proofs Press Check
Controlling Color on Press Paper Choice Paper One of the most important decisions to make when choosing a paper is whether the paper is Uncoated or Coated.
Controlling Color on Press Dot Pattern Dot Pattern Conventional offset printing lays down dots is a grid pattern, increasing and decreasing the size of dots to control density and color. Stocastic printing uses a random dot placement and a random dot size.
Controlling Color on Press Ink Draw Downs Ink Draw Downs Used when printing with spot colors, this is like seeing a small sample of wall paint before you paint your house.
Controlling Color on Press Loose color proofs Loose Color Proofs This is great for previewing color before you send your files to the printer. It allows you to check builds, reverses and skin tones.
Controlling Color on Press Composed proofs Composed Proofs Last chance to make any changes before you go on press. Once on press your options will be limited, so be very diligent when reviewing your composed proofs.
Controlling Color on Press Press Check Press Check Your last chance to fine tune your final product. Trust your press people, they know more than you. Tell them what you desire, and they will make it happen.
Fin practice makes prefect color