Color theory helps designers create accessible, appealing, and purposeful color schemes.
Color models
- RGB: Additive (screens) - Red, Green, Blue.
- CMYK: Subtractive (print) - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black.
- HSL: Hue, Saturation, Lightness (intuitive for designers).
- Hex: Web standard (#FF5733).
Color harmonies
- Complementary: Opposite on color wheel (high contrast).
- Analogous: Adjacent colors (harmonious, low contrast).
- Triadic: Three evenly spaced colors.
- Monochromatic: Shades of single hue.
Accessibility
- WCAG contrast ratios: 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text.
- Consider colorblindness (8% of men, 0.5% of women).
- Don't rely on color alone to convey information.
Psychological associations
- Red: Urgency, danger, passion.
- Blue: Trust, calm, professionalism.
- Green: Growth, nature, success.
Related Articles
View all articlesColor Picker & Converter: HEX, RGB, HSL Tool
Pick colors and convert between HEX, RGB, HSL, and HSV formats with visual picker and accessibility checker. Perfect for designers and developers.
Read article →WCAG Contrast Checker Guide: Understanding Color Accessibility Standards
Color contrast isn't just about aesthetics—it's about ensuring everyone can read and use your website, regardless of visual ability. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide specific contrast ratio requirements.
Read article →
How do I customize QR code appearance and colors?
Learn how to customize QR codes with colors, logos, and branding while maintaining full scannability and function.
Read article →How do I extract and generate color palettes from images?
Learn techniques for extracting color palettes from images and generating new color schemes based on image analysis for cohesive design.
Read article →