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Color Theory
Color theory comprises a set of guidelines for the blending, pairing, and manipulation of colors.
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The art of color selection focuses on specific aspects rather than just any color. They begin with color theory, distinguishing Pantone, CMYK, and RGB color options and understanding their distinct applications in the graphic design industry—converting CMYK print colors to RGB web colors and identifying and maintaining corporate and brand colors.
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The Journey of Color Theory
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The initial investigations into color stemmed from a scientific perspective. In 1704, Isaac Newton's book "Opticks" marked a significant breakthrough by demonstrating that light consisted of different colors. This controversial notion challenged the prevailing belief that pure light was colorless. Newton's experiments, including creating an early color wheel based on refracting light waves through a prism, became crucial milestones in the evolution of color theory.
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Subsequent works, such as "The Theory of Colours" by German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and "The Law of Simultaneous Color Contrast" by French chemist Michel Eugene Chevreul, are regarded as foundational texts in color theory. Published in the early 19th century, these works delve into color psychology and chromatic aberration, contributing to the refinement of the color wheel.
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During this period, color theory relied on the primary colors of the RYB (red, yellow, blue), defining these colors as capable of mixing to produce all colors. As technology advanced, scholars transitioned to RGB (red, green, blue) and CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) models, adapting to the increased range of synthetic pigments in photography and printing.
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In 1901, Emily Noyes Vanderpoel introduced a groundbreaking approach to color in her "Color Problems: A Practical Manual for the Lay Student of Color" by incorporating industrial items into her research. Vanderpoel meticulously examined a range of objects, from teacups to plants, utilizing grids to systematically analyze the colors present in each item.
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In the present day, color theory permeates our surroundings.
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Fundamentals
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The fundamentals of ROY G BIV's color theory represent the spectrum of colors in the natural order of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The acronym ROY G BIV serves as a mnemonic for this sequence.
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Commercial printers widely use the CMYK color system. This system involves mixing four colors—cyan, magenta, yellow, and black—to generate a diverse range of color options for printing.
RGB is an electronic color system that employs red, green, and blue when creating images on computer or TV screens. RGB is specifically designed for electronic design purposes.
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Pantone colors, produced by Pantone, offer a comprehensive selection of specific inks known as the Pantone Matching System. While primarily used in printing, Pantone colors also find applications in paints, plastics, and fabrics.
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Noteworthy is the fact that Adobe incorporates TRUMATCH in its color management processes. TRUMATCH facilitates reliable CMYK color matching for a palette exceeding 2,000 colors. The Trumatch Color Finder showcases up to 40 variations of tints and shades for each hue, initially crafted through a four-color process and all reproducible on electronic imagesetters.
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The Difference Between Hues, Tints, Shades, and Tones
Tints, shades, hues, and tones are terms used in color theory to describe different aspects of colors.
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Hue: In color theory, the term "hue" refers to the pure pigment of a color.
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Tint: A tint is created by adding white to a hue, lightening the color. It results in a lighter and often pastel version of the original hue. Example: Pink is a tint of red.
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Shade: A shade is produced by adding black to a hue, darkening the color. It creates a deeper and more subdued version of the original hue. Example: Maroon is a shade of red.
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Tone: A tone is achieved by adding black and white to a hue. This reduces the intensity and saturation of the color, creating a more muted and softened version. Example: Mauve is a tone resulting from adding both black and white to the purple hue.
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In summary, hue is the pure color; tint is a lighter version by adding white; shade is a darker version by adding black; and tone is a muted version by adding black and white.
No single color system can reproduce all the colors in the visible spectrum, leading to variations in how a picture appears on a computer monitor compared to its printed version in a magazine or newspaper.