Colour is an essential for everyday life whether it is for graphic design/website design or not. Colour makes life more practical with each colour giving a specific mood or feeling (good or bad). But what are the real meanings of each colour? What do different colours mean?
Below is an image of a 12 Hue Colour wheel and we will discuss what a colour wheel is and how to understand it.
The most common colour wheel is the 12 hue colour wheel , and each segment is called “Hue” “Tint” “Tone” and “Shade.”
Within a colour wheel there are primary colours and then secondary colours. What this means is primary colours are colours that cannot be made by mixing colours together, whereas secondary colours are colours made by mixing the primary colours together.
So what does each colour actually mean? Below we will look at some colours and explain what each colour means and what famous companies/brands use these colours.
Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment and happiness. Shades of golden yellow carry promise of a positive future. Yellow will advance from surrounding colours and instil optimism and energy, as well as spark creative flair.
The effects of yellow
The facts of yellow
Famous companies/brands who use yellow
Green occupies more space in the spectrum visible to the human eye than most colours, and is second only to blue as a favourite colour. Green is a pervasive colour in the natural world making it an ideal backdrop in interior design because we are so used to seeing it everywhere.
The effects of green
The facts of green
Famous companies/brands who use green
Blue is seen as a trustworthy, dependable and committed. The colour of the ocean and sky, blue is perceived as a constant in our lives. As the collective colour of the spirit, it invokes rest and can cause the body to produce chemicals that are calming.
The effects of blue
The facts of blue
Famous companies/brands who use blue
Purple embodies the balance of reds simulation and blues calm. With a sense of mystical and royal qualities, purple is a colour often well-liked by very creative or eccentric types and is the favourite colour of adolescent girls.
The effects of purple
The facts of purple
Famous companies/brands who use purple
Brighter pinks are youthful, fun and exciting, while vibrant pinks have the same energy as red: they are sensual and passionate without being too aggressive. Toning down the passion of red with the purity of white results in the softer pinks that are associated with romance and the blush of a young woman’s cheeks
The effects of pink
The facts of pink
Famous companies/brands who use pink
Red has more personal association than any other colour. Recognised as a stimulant, red is inherently exciting and the amount of red is directly related to the level of energy perceived. Red draws attention and a keen use of red as an accent can immediately focus on a particulate element
The effects of red
The facts of red
Famous companies/brands who use red
Orange, a close relative of red, sparks more controversy than any other hue. There is usually a strong positive or negative association to orange and a true orange generally elicits a stronger “love it” or “hate it” response than any other colour. Fun, flamboyant orange is warm.
The effects of orange
The facts of orange
Famous companies/brands who use orange
These bottom 3 most people associate as a colour when in fact “white, grey and black” are actually a shade and are not a hue.
White projects purity, cleanliness and neutrality. Doctors use white coats, brides traditionally wear white gowns and a white picket fence surrounds a safe and happy home.
The effects of white
The facts of white
Famous companies/brands who use white
Grey is the colour of intellect, knowledge and wisdom. It is perceived as a long lasting classic, often as sleek or refined. It is a colour that is dignified, conservative and carries authority. Grey is a perfect neutral, which is why designers often use is as a background colour.
The effects of grey
The facts of grey
Famous companies/brands who use grey
Black is authoritative and powerful: because black can evoke strong emotions, too much can be overwhelming. Black represents a lack of colour, the primordial void, emptiness. It is a classic colour of clothing, possibly because it makes the wearer appear thinner and more sophisticated.
The effects of black
The facts of black
Famous companies/brands who use black
