Colour Schemes Flashcards
Analogous or Adjacent colours
Exists harmoniously next to each other on the colour wheel.
They share characteristics and work together in a display area to create specific effects.
They reinforce each other, they are compatible and usually can be counted on to create a close harmony.
When used in close groups or clusters, they create an analogous colour scheme, blue sky or green grass to make a turquoise outfit appear cooler and crisper.
Complementary Colours
Found opposite each other on the colour wheel.
These opposites do not make for harmony or gentle combinations.
Complements bring out the intensity and brilliance of each other.
These colour schemes are strong, vibrant and demanding.
Complementary colours vibrate against each other when placed very close to each other. They will create motion where there is none.
Complementary Colours mood
Are fine in bright, youth orientated areas, where the creation of a shocking or attention getting palette is desired.
They can be fun, dynamic and sometimes irritating.
It is possible to eliminate some of the irritating or dynamic qualities of the complementary scheme.
Eliminating dynamic qualities of the complementary colours scheme:
Reducing the intensity of colours.
The addition of white or black will reduce the intensity, as will the addition of some of the complementary colour.
ex. Adding a little red to green; the pink and apple green colour combination may be basically complementary but it is easier to live with than a pure full strength red and fully saturated green.
Intensity
Refers to the purity and strength of a colour.
Contrasting Colours
Colours are often selected for the amount of contrast they provide.
One will rarely find a garment, fabric or other product designed with black and navy blue. Extreme example of minimal contrast
Little contrast
Two light colours adjacent to each other.
Some Contrast
A light colour next to a medium colour.
Bold Contrast
A light colour next to a dark colour.
Monochromatic Colours
If you start with one colour and develop a full range of that colour. This can be restful, easy to accept and provide a controlled setting for merchandise. It generally sit back and takes it easy.
Baby blue and sky blue through the intermediate blues up to a navy or midnight blue is monochromatic colours.
Neutral Colours
Black, white, gray, beige and brown.
Why do neutral colours make good backgrounds for stores?
They allow the merchandise itself to have full impact.
Neutrals evoke less image and tend to disturb the customer less.
They do not compete with the merchandise on display but rather provide a complimentary background for the goods.
Neutral Colours: All white scheme
Can be young exciting, sparkling and ultrachic or a perfect foil for brightly coloured merchandise.
May also come off as absolutely sterile and bland, draining the colour right out of the merchandise.
Neutral Colours: Beige tones
People pleasing and merchandise complementing.
The blending of the casual but warm, off whites and beiges with wood tones has a strong following.
Easy to live with, it enhances the merchandise but hardly ever overwhelms it. It appeals to the rural instincts hidden inside each urban dweller.
Neutral Colours: Gray tones
Gray is a foil for bright colours. It tones them down. It is a relief for the whites; it makes white appear whiter.
Gray is a buffer for black, relieving the gloom of this non-colour.
Neutral gray has long been popular as a setting for silver, furs or expensive giftware, but it is now reaching into designer areas and even bridal displays.
