The color theory is generally the teaching of systems on the order of colors and already one of the most important poets and thinkers in German history dealt intensively with painters and philosophers with this topic: his name was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe .
He discovered the phenomenon of subjective colors and the basic principles of color vision. At the same time, however, he did not limited his considerations to the physical color generation and decomposition including the color mixing, but also dealt with the sensual moral effect of the color.
His observations and methods resulting in this can be seen color psychology They have been taken up many times since then and constantly developed.
Further essential contributions to color theory came from Leonardo da Vinci , Adolf Hölzel and Georges Seurat. All of these teachings that have been entered into art science-also known as artistic-aesthetic colors-initially started from immediate vision.
The French painter Marc Chagall once made an interesting statement about the structuring of colors:
All Colors are the Friends of their Neighbors and the Lovers of their opposites. "
Translated, for example: "All colors are the friends of their neighbors and the lovers of their opposites" . This means the combination of colors based on the color circle. Accordingly, either next to each other or opposite colors go together very well. This principle is still used - especially in fashion design.
Another nice quote on the topic comes from Hans Hofmann :
In nature, the light creates the colors. The colors create the light in pictures. "
Classification of the colors and color circle
Let's remember our school days. Then the color circle according to Johannes Itten will come to mind again. At least he burned himself into my memory because it was depicted in an impressive size on the wall of the scientific premises. Many times, when my thoughts from classes again, I caught me pattering this colorful circle.
Perhaps you also remember that when it was spoken of primary, secondary and tertiary colors . This division is extremely important to understand the interaction of the colors and to mix them in a skillful manner.
The primary colors are the three basic colors yellow, red and blue. They cannot be mixed from other colors, but all other colors can be mixed from the three primary colors.
Color circle according to Johannes Itten. 1961
This color circle goes back to the Bauhaus drawing teacher Johannes Itten (1888-1967). He differentiated the colors for the first time and expanded the primary colors red, yellow and blue with the complementary colors (or: secondary colors) orange, green and violet and presented them in a color circle. By the way, he described white and black as "non-colors".
If you then go one step further and mix the secondary colors with the primary colors, the tertiary colors of rotorange, yellow orange, blue -green, blue -violet, red -violet and green yellow are created.
An important property of the tertiary colors is that not every primary color can be mixed with any secondary color. For example, mixing green with red - just like blue with orange - does not result in a harmonious result. Both combinations would result in a kind of brown. Only the combinations that can be seen in the color circle result in harmonious results.
If you add white and black into the mixing ratios of the three basic colors, any color (including all shades) can be created.
In addition to this three -stage division, there is also a further classification using the mixed method. A distinction is made between additive and subtractive methods for color mixing .
Additive color mixture
With the additive color mixture, the color impression is created by mixing light of different colors. The three basic colors (primary colors) of the additive color mix are mostly red, green and blue-so one speaks of an RGB system here. If you mix all three basic colors together, you get white.
The RGB color space is used primarily in graphic design for screens and digital display cuffs (e.g. web design ).
RGB color circuit graphic by László Németh [CC0]
Subtractive color mixture
In the case of subtractive color mixture, the light of different color is exploited from the white light spectrum by color filters (i.e. subtracted) or absorbed by pigments. The basic colors of the subtractive color mixture are yellow, magenta (purple) and cyan (blue -green).
This shape of the color mixture is reflected in the CMYK color space , whereby the individual letters for the initial letters of the three basic colors stand (c = cyan, m = Magenta, y = yellow)-supplemented by the letter k = key (ie black). This procedure is primarily used for print products.
Tips for compiling harmonious color schemes
Now that we got to know the basics of color theory, it is time to find out how we deal with it in practice. Most design projects and works of art begin compilation or select a coherent and harmonious combination of different colors. We speak of a color scheme .
Let's assume that we have specified one or two colors based on a brand or product. Based on this, we now want to create a color palette with 3-5 harmonizing colors. But how is it possible to proceed now?
They have probably already found that some colors fit together very well and complement each other ideally, but other combinations seem very unaesthetic. This does not necessarily have something to do with an individual taste. In fact, there is a pattern for color combinations that generally seem coherent to us. And these patterns can be used to create suitable color schemes in a targeted and structured manner.
The following methods and approaches can be postulated:
context
Analog color selection
Complementary colors
Monochromatic
Triadic
Split complementary contrast
Own approach - beyond the specifications
context
Always include the context . Context refers in the way we perceive colors in contrast to other colors.
Green has a different effect in connection with white than with dark blue or black. You should always keep this in mind when putting up a color palette.
Analog color structures
Based on a primary color, two other colors are selected in this approach, which are directly neighboring in the color circle. If you want to have 5 colors instead of 3, you can go one step further out and add the next neighbors of the two outer colors.
Analog color pallets are usually not characterized by high contrasts and are usually used for softer, more pastel and less contrasting compositions.
Complementary color selection
You have probably guessed that complementary colors in the color circle can be found. Here you can also choose different levels in the brightness of the colors to mitigate the contrast a little.
With the complementary color palette you create great contrast, so some tact is recommended with this method. In practice, it has proven itself to put a color in the foreground with a design and to use the complementary color as a subtle addition. If both colors are used equally intensively, the design can quickly appear overloaded.
Monochromatic color scheme
With this selection method, various nuances or gradations of a single color are used - while adding black and/or white. Although the color contrast is missing, monochromatic schemes usually appear very clean, uniform, harmonious and tidy.
This technique is well suited if the design is not so much to be put into the foreground and is more supportive. If you want a design with a very attention -related effect, this is probably not the best choice.
Triadic color scheme
With the triadic scheme, three colors are selected on the color circle, which are evenly distributed in it. So they have the same distances to each other and can be found by walking away from the center of the circle three rays with the same angle and thus define the three colors. If you want to have more than 3 colors, you can find more additional colors on the three rays in the color circle.
This shape of the color selection is used to find colors with high contrasts. Another measure of refining such a selection is the ratio of use. For example, you can use a bright color for surfaces and backgrounds and a dark for the core elements that are supposed to stand out. Or the other way around.
Split complementary contrast
With this color scheme, a dominant color, and based on it, is selected two directly adjacent complementary colors. This method creates a somewhat more nuanced pallet than with conventional complementary selection. However, this is the same extent relatively contrasting and may be a little more difficult to coordinate. It is very important to find the right balance so that a good effect can be achieved.
So before you rely on this method, you should have a little experience in putting together color pallets.
Go new ways
As soon as you have a little practice, you can trust yourself to break the conventions. On the Internet you will find countless ready -made color pallets, which are mostly based on the above -mentioned principles and specifications. Of course, you can use it or inspire you.
However, if you don't find a satisfactory selection, just break new ground. For the sake of simplicity, you should start and build on it with a color of your choice. If you have more than one color, the coordination and the elaboration of a balance is significantly more difficult.
Then just try it out and compare different combinations. Let them work on you in sufficient time, set yourself to the fine adjustment and watch the pallets act on you. Most people who have some experience in this area quickly develop a sense of when a color selection harmonizes or not.
Colors trigger moods and emotions. As mentioned at the beginning, this also recognized Goethe. An entire professional branch has now developed around this fact and color psychology is a no longer way to think about design and marketing.
Colors can trigger a wide variety of reactions and associations into people - mostly regardless of individual experiences. Feelings are much more powerful than rational thoughts based on facts and numbers. That is why the effects of colors are often used and extensively taken advantage of especially in everyday economic everyday life.
The following general knowledge and rules were laid down on the psychological effect of colors
Yellow
Yellow is a bright, bright color and spread optimism, enlightenment and joy. Gold -yellow shades promise a positive future. Yellow settles from other surrounding colors, the viewer meets. This color gives energy and causes positive thoughts. It also promotes creativity.
Effects:
Stimulates mental processes
The nervous system stimulates
Promotes memory
Invigorating effect on communication
Green
Green is probably as common in our lives as no other color. It takes up considerable space - through nature alone and we simply encounter this color everywhere. Green is probably one of the most popular colors in humans in addition to blue, and due to our strong getting used to it, it is predestined for use as a background color and the design of interiors.
Effects:
Soothing and soothing
Relax us mentally and physically
Has a supportive effect against depression, fears and nervousness
Conveys a feeling of renewal, self -control and harmony
Promotes self -respect, dignity, stability, endurance, feeling of honor, authority and autonomy
Blue
The color blue symbolizes trustworthiness, reliability and liability. It is the color of the sky and seas and is perceived as a constant force in our lives. Blue is also said to have a calming effect and can even lower the pulse from the viewer.
Effects:
Soothing
Cool effect
Strengthens the intuition
Promotes serenity, satisfaction, balance, thoughtfulness and bond
Violet
Violet or purple embodies the interplay of stimulating red and soothing blue. It has a touch of mysticism, secret and spirituality. At the same time, this color radiates royality and royalty. She is particularly popular with creative people, eccentric personalities and growing girls.
Effects:
Activating and stimulating
Calming effect on body and mind
Sensual, with a spiritual touch
Promotes creativity
Pink
Pink is bright, poppy, youthful, cheeky and testifies to great joie de vivre. A shining pink can develop the same energy as red tones, looks sensual and passionate without having the aggressiveness of a bright red. If you mix more white shares in this color, it becomes gentler, but keeps its sensuality. These colors are particularly suitable for romantic occasions.
Effects:
Stimulating & invigorating
Can increase blood pressure and accelerate heartbeat and breathing
Has an encouraging effect and creates confidence
Promotes empathy, sensitivity, fascination, charm and devotion
Red
No other color is documented with so many emotions and personal associations as red. It is extremely activating, stimulating and creates a lot of energy from the viewer. With the use of red, it is extremely good to create attention and capture looks. Red is definitely a signal color and stands as a symbol color for love and passion.
Effects:
Very activating - creates enthusiasm
Expects a high degree of strength and energy
Can increase blood pressure and accelerate heartbeat and breathing
Has an encouraging effect and creates confidence
Conveys a feeling of protection against fears and uncertainty
Orange is a close relative of red. However, this color creates a high degree of controversial thoughts and feelings with the viewer. Either you like this color very much or you have a clear aversion. In between there is much less common at Orange than with other colors.
A bright orange tone exudes joie de vivre and fun and exudes warm energy.
Effects:
Inspired to activity
Stimulates the appetite
Animated to conviviality
White
White stands for purity, innocence and neutrality. White pigeons also stand for peace. Doctors consciously wear white coats and the classic wedding dress is also white.
Effects:
Clear the mind
Encourages us to order
Connoising and peace -stimulating effect
Helps with a new beginning
Gray
Gray is the color of the intellect, wisdom and knowledge. It is perceived as constant, classic, smooth, dignified and cultivated. It stands for conservative strength and transports authority. Gray behaves neutral in relation to other colors. For this reason, it is often used as a background color for designs.
Effects:
Can lead to uncertainty
Awakens expectations
Promotes neutrality, distance, indifference, lack of consumption and shielding
Black
Schwarz has a strong effect and above all stands for authority. Excessive use of black can lead to overwhelming the viewer. Black is the absolute absence of light and symbolizes emptiness and darkness.
In combination with other colors, Schwarz can only really make them shine and is therefore often used in smaller doses. Schwarz has a special position in fashion and stands for classic elegance. It makes the carriers appear slimmer, more cultivated and more demanding and is therefore extremely popular with the choice of clothing.
Effects:
Gives the carrier elegance and a feeling of inconspicuous
Symbolizes emptiness and infinity
Creates a mysterious atmosphere and feeds hope for new opportunities
Promotes the will to perform, inaccessibility, seriousness, intolerance, coercion
Inspired to ruthlessness and/or rebellion
A few beautiful and visually prepared overviews of the findings of color psychology, the effect of colors and its use in marketing can be seen in the following board (English version):
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Successful color combinations in fashion design
So far we have dealt with the principles of color theory and psychology. Regardless of the type and area of application, these can be considered universally valid. In the last section of this article, however, we would like to go into a little closer to specific application examples and proven approaches in the fashion and fashion industry.
If you are active in this industry, you are probably already familiar with the compilation of a suitable color selection for outfit and fashion. Various fashion design schools have different approaches, preferences, specifications and priorities. Colors and their combinations are often based on season, occasion and cultural preferences.
In order to master the interplay of colors in fashion well, the aforementioned basics of color theory and knowledge of the color circle are essential. Only with this foundation can it skillfully experiment and create new creations away from the leaving fashion and trend paths.
If you would rather put on the tried and tested instead of wild experiments, then you are on the safe side with the following color combinations:
Gray and red tones
Red tones and berry purple tones are perfect as an opponent for all shades of gray, creating an elegant and balanced color mix. The shades of gray are usually used as the background or main color, while the red tones then set the accents.
A rather neutral and reserved color (gray) combine as the basis with a bright color (red or purple) for the special moments in a fashion piece. You reach a certain radiance without being too intrusive.
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Yellow and green
The combination of green and yellow tones is one of the most frequent variants in order to show off your wardrobe, especially in spring or summer. But even in winter and in the darker season you set a color highlight. Incidentally, this variant looks really good for most skin tones. With a yellow blazer and a suitable skirt in green, you will certainly stand out from the crowd.
These two colors also make themselves excellent with jeans. Such a look can then be supplemented with beautiful accessories in gold and/or green. (To display the Pinterest Board you must have approved the cookies)
Red and blue
Take your favorite jeans and combine them with a red top and you can be sure that you have a successful outfit. Combining blue jeans with red clothing is therefore extremely popular. With bright red tones you create a great eye -catcher, and the reserved blue of jeans is an ideal addition to this. But even away from jeans, these two colors fit together very well.
This station wagon radiates self -confidence, vitality and strength from one full of everything in the summer months. If you want to add a third color to the outfit, a neutral, bright color such as white, gray or bright cream tones recommend. (To display the Pinterest Board you must have approved the cookies)
(Bright) brown tones and chestnut or burgundy
If you want to achieve a less bright, but very earthy and coherent color tuning in your wardrobe, then brown tones in connection with the slightly reddish color "chestnut" are particularly suitable for this purpose.
With this combination, you create a successful outfit for autumn in no time. Lighter brown tones such as beige, sand tones, ocher or cognac in particular fit well with the somewhat darker chestnut.
As a possible third color, you can grab white, bright yellow tones or gentle pink. However, you should exercise a little tact so as not to overload the outfit. As an alternative to chestnut, you can also combine burgundy, bordeaux red or wine red with gentle brown tones. (To display the Pinterest Board you must have approved the cookies)
Pink and white
Another classic combo in the world of fashion is the connection between pink and white. Especially in young women and teenagers, this combination has a charming effect and emphasizes the female side in a playful way. In addition, large white shares have a very calming effect on the human eye and thus spray a touch of innocence and purity.
In order to mitigate the strong contrast of the two colors a little, alternatively with white, gray tones, gentle pink or ivory. If pink is too bright for your own taste, you can of course also use the related colors purple, lilac or violet. (To display the Pinterest Board you must have approved the cookies)
What clothes for what occasion: ideas for a date in the evening
You have now learned a lot about colors, the combinations and effects of which. You can also pull out one or the other great inspiration for your next everyday wardrobe from the examples mentioned above. Let's go a little further now and take a closer look at the right compilation of the clothes for a specific occasion: a classic date in the evening.
In order for a date to succeed in the evening, you need a suitable outfit for this - and here too the correct use of color can play a role. Of course, what you should attract also depends on the location. I would now like to explain which dress you achieve where a direct hit.
A red evening dress
A wide variety of studies have already shown that the color red - probably besides pink - is the most seductive color on a woman. The studies state that men may fall in love faster if the woman wears red.
In a red evening dress, every woman looks incredibly sexy and seductive. The reason for this is that men see this color as particularly fruitful and passionate. Especially when it is your first date and you have an appointment for a romantic evening, a red evening dress is ideal.
If you would rather put on a more casual variant instead of an expansive dress, then use a comfortable blue jeans and wear a red top or a red blazer.
The feel -good factor
The feel -good factor naturally plays a very important role in a date. If it is the first date, it is definitely not the right time for any fashion experiments or daring color combinations. There is nothing more important on a date than you feel comfortable. If you feel comfortable in the right dress, a smile is automatically conjured up in your face and you have a completely different charisma.
The right outfit can also play a role on date
Please do not choose a dress that is too tight or too short, so as not to put the wrong stimuli too early. This could be counterproductive if you have serious intentions. In general, an evening dress is long or for short, as well as a cocktail dress (for the more elegant occasions), very well for most occasions and date scenarios.
In addition, one can say that women feel more comfortable in darker colors than, for example, in bright colors. So consider whether a classic black dress - possibly with an exciting moment - would fit your date in the evening.
The matching shoes
It has certainly not escaped that men find shoes with high heels such as high heels or stilettos. Use this fact and let your ballerinas in the closet and stage your legs with higher paragraphs. It is advisable to only buy the shoes after the right outfit has been put together. The shoes should of course be matched to the dress.
With the color combination pink and white, for example, you should also rely on one of these colors for the shoes. With other combination, you can also bring another color into play.
But here, too, the feel -good factor plays a crucial role. If you do not wear high shoes in everyday life, then you better choose shoes with a lower heel for romantic appointments. In addition, it is advisable that new shoes should be run in before the first date.
Outfit to match the location
Of course, a date in the evening does not always have to take place in a chic restaurant - although this is usually our first association. If the date in the cinema, in the theater, an event or outdoors take place, then you should adjust to it and also prepare properly.
With a short skirt and high heels, you are badly advised on a walk in the green or on paving stones. If the appointment comes very spontaneously and you can no longer find time to get a suitable dress, then a rather casual and comfortable outfit that is versatile is recommended. You can upgrade this with a few peppy accessories.
Discreetly make up
Even with make-up, you shouldn't overdo it. Less is usually more! Under no circumstances hide behind a mask and instead make it up discreetly. A little blush, a beautiful lipstick and some mascara are completely sufficient in most cases.
Here, too, you can take up or complement the colors of the outfit wonderfully. This results in a harmonious and at the same time exciting picture and you have created the perfect prerequisites for a successful evening.
Owner and managing director of Kunstplaza. Publicist, editor and passionate blogger in the field of art, design and creativity since 2011. Successful conclusion in web design as part of a university degree (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expression painting and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through many years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.
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