Colour Theory in Graphic Designing: What Does Each Colour Mean? 

Ever wondered why some logos or designs just seem to catch your eye? Well, it turns out that colours play a super important role in how we perceive things. 

According to research, we decide how we feel about a product/service in just 90 seconds. Additionally, most of that decision (62% to 90%) comes from its colour!  

Yes, you read that right – colour alone can wield such remarkable influence! From making us feel happy to help us make decisions, colours have a lot to say. 

That’s why understanding colour theory and picking the right colours are super important. In this post, we’ll find out how colours communicate, attract, and convert a lead.  

What’s Colour Theory? 

When you make a cake, you need to know which ingredients to mix to make it taste good. Similarly, colour theory is like a recipe for mixing colours together so they look nice.  

If you have ever taken a painting class, you might have seen those circles with lots of colours in them. That’s called a colour wheel. It helps us see how colours go together.  

There are three main types of colours on the wheel. To understand the basics of colour wheel, it’s important to understand them.  

1. Primary: Primary colours are like the main colours. They’re red, blue, and yellow. You can’t mix other colours to make them.  

2. Secondary: Secondary colours are made by mixing two primary colours. Like when you mix red and blue, you get purple. 

3. Tertiary: Tertiary colours are made by mixing a primary colour with a secondary colour. So you might get something like a red-purple, which is a mix of red and purple. 

Basics of Colour Wheel: What Does Each Colour Signify? 

Colours are like the words of the world. They tell stories, convey feelings, and paint pictures in our minds.  

Let’s explore what each colour means in graphic design! 

Red is like fire, all blazing and passionate. It’s the colour of love, but also of anger and danger. For example, you see a stop sign or a traffic light telling cars to halt always in red colour. Why? Because red light has a relatively long wavelength compared to other colours in the visible spectrum.  

That’s why, in the basics of colour wheels, red is like a bold exclamation mark, grabbing attention and demanding action. In graphic design, it’s perfect for buttons or banners where you want people to stop and take notice. But be careful not to use too much red, or it might overwhelm the eyes. 

Orange is full of energy, according to colour theory, like the sun warming up the world. It adds a cheerful and playful touch. It’s great for highlighting important information or adding a pop of colour to a dull layout.  

Just like a dash of spice in cooking, a little orange goes a long way. But too much orange can be too loud, so it’s best used in small bits, like a bright button on a website. 

Yellow is the colour of sunshine, bringing smiles to faces. It’s a sign of hope and happiness, like when you see a big yellow smiley face.  

The colour can be used to draw attention and create a cheerful atmosphere. It’s perfect for ‘call-to-action’ buttons or to highlight key elements on a webpage.  

But yellow can also be a bit tricky. Too much yellow can be hard to look at, but a little bit can make things pop. 

Colour theory says that green is all about nature, like the fresh grass under your feet. It’s the colour of growth and new beginnings. It’s often used in eco-friendly or health-related designs to convey freshness and vitality. 

But, graphic designers can also use it to bring a sense of harmony, growth, balance, and success. That’s why green colour is one of the most versatile options in graphic design.  

Blue is as calming as a clear sky on a summer day. It’s peaceful and quiet, making you feel safe and steady. But sometimes, blue can mean feeling sad or lonely.  

Companies like using blue because it makes people feel they can trust them, like when you see it in big logos. The colour, as per the colour theory, can also convey professionalism and integrity, making it a timeless choice for many design projects. 

Purple is all about being special and different. People either love it or don’t, there’s no in-between. Purple can be mysterious like a secret waiting to be discovered and it can spark imagination. 

But in graphic design, purple is often associated with luxury and creativity. It’s used to create an aura of elegance and exclusivity, making it a popular choice for high-end brands and products.  

Pink is soft and gentle, like a fluffy cloud in the sky. It was commonly used in designs targeted towards women or to convey a sense of warmth and affection. Moreover, it is also used to add a soft and romantic vibe.  

But businesses nowadays are choosing this colour to be bold and daring. They do not hesitate to challenge traditional gender norms and add a playful twist to designs.  

For example, T-Mobile uses a vibrant shade of pink, in its branding. The bold colour choice sets it apart in the telecommunications industry, making the brand easily recognizable and memorable.  

So, understanding colour theory helps designers use pink effectively, whether to create a soft, romantic feel or a bold, eye-catching statement. 

Brown is the colour of the earth, all warm and cozy. It’s reliable and strong, like a big tree standing tall. Brown can also make you think of chocolate and cookies, all yummy and good. It can also make you think of old and vintage items.  

That’s why in the basics of colour wheel, brown is often used to create a sense of earthiness and authenticity. It’s perfect for conveying a rustic or vintage aesthetic, evoking feelings of nostalgia and tradition. It can also add depth and richness to designs, grounding them in a sense of reliability and trustworthiness. 

Black is the colour of mystery and magic, hiding secrets in its darkness. Black can be a bit scary, but it’s also elegant and cool.  

For graphic designers, black is a timeless classic, conveying elegance and sophistication. It’s often used for typography and branding elements to create contrast and make a bold statement.  

White is pure and clean, like a blank canvas waiting for a masterpiece. It makes things feel peaceful and calm, like a quiet room with no noise.  

Businesses commonly use it as a background to make other colours and elements stand out. White can also convey a sense of minimalism, making it a popular choice for modern and minimalist designs. 

When it comes to the colour theory of graphic designing, tan or beige colours are like playing it safe. They’re good for things that need to look serious and respectful, like official documents or business logos.  

But sometimes, they can be a bit boring, like watching paint dry. They give off a vibe of being traditional and serious, but they might not catch your eye as brighter colours do. 

Cream and ivory colours in graphic design are all about elegance and calmness. They’re perfect for making things look fancy and special, like wedding invitations or luxury brands. These colours bring a sense of purity and sophistication to whatever they touch.  

The Bottom Lines  

Understanding colour theory helps designers make things look nice, like pictures and websites. You learn which colours look good together and which don’t.  

This way, you can create designs that are pleasing to the eyes and catch people’s attention.