Color Wheel
Before you begin a design project, whether it be a logo or website, it’s good to take a look at the color wheel. This will help you and the designer brainstorm some ideas.
There are 12 main colors on the color wheel. The color wheel, and color theory, was invented by the theory of universal gravity guy Sir Isaac Newton. Sir Isaac’s color tests became theory that red, yellow and blue were the primary colors from which all other colors came from.
Primary Colors
The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue (when referring to light it’s red, green, and blue).
Secondary Colors
The secondary colors are purple (violet), orange, and green.
Tertiary Colors
The tertiary colors are blue green, yellow green, yellow orange, red orange, red violet, blue violet.
Complementary Colors
Complementary colors are opposite colors. If you take a look at the color wheel look at what is across from that color, that color is its complementary color.
The complementary color of yellow is purple.
The complementary color of orange is blue.
The complementary color of red is green.
Color Harmonies
If two colors look good together they may be complementary colors. Ever see a logo or design that just pops? Probably complementary colors. Opposites attract.
The best way to remember complementary colors is to remember the design, sports uniform, or season. For example, sports fans take a look at the uniforms of such teams as the New York Mets, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, New York Knicks, Miami Dolphins, and more. These teams wear opposite colors.
If you celebrate Christmas, red and green hello! Complementary colors. Easter tends to lean heavy with the yellow and purple colors, just saying.