additive color
color created by combining projected beams of chromatic light.
Afterimage
a ghostly image that continues to linger after the actual image has been removed. often used to demonstrate various aspects of color theory
analogous color
a color scheme based on hues that are adjacent on a color wheel
chroma
the purity, intensity, or saturation of a color
chroma gray
a gray made from a mixture of colors rather than using black and white
chromatic value
every color in itself has a value. Pure yellow is very light in value, while pure purple is dark in value. Mixing white, black ,gray, or other colors to create a new value can create further values. Value and color are related.
complimentary colors
hues that oppose one another on a color wheel. when juxtaposed, they create contrast, when mixed, they neutralize each other
color key
a color that dominates an image and provides an overall visual or emotional effect
hue
the name of a color, such as red or yellow, that distinguishes it from others and assigns it a position in the visual spectrum and on the color wheel
intensity
the purity, saturation, or chroma of a color.
monochromatic color system
a color system based on variations in a single hue.
primary colors
the additive primaries are red, green, and blue. the subtractive color primaries are yellow, magenta red, and cyan blue
secondary colors
hues mixed from adjacent primaries. in pain, the secondary colors are violet, green, and orange
shade
a hue that has been mixed with black
simultaneous contrast
the optical alteration of a color by a surrounding color.
spatial illusion
when colors are used, high contrast values comes forward visually, whereas areas of lesser contrast gernerally recede into the background. usually bright colors and warm colors will come forward in space and the dark and cool will reced into space
split complementary
a complimentary color plus the two colors on either side of its compliment on the color wheel.
subtractive color
color created when light is selectively reflected off a pigmented or dyed surface.
symbolic color
a color that has been assigned a particular meaning by a society
temperature
the physical and psychologiacal heat generated by a color. an aspect of hue
tertiary color
a hue that is mixed from a primary color and an adjacent secondary color
tint
a hue that has been mixed with white
tone
a hue that has been mixed with black and white
triadic harmony
a color scheme using three colors which are equidistant on a color wheel
value
the lightness or darkness of a color, the relative lightness or darkness of a surface
balance
equilibrium between interacting and/or opposing forces in a visual composition
asymmetrical balance
equilibrium among visual elements which differ in size, number, weight, color, or texture. dramatic and dynamic
module
a standardized unit or compositional component
system
a group of interrelated elements of parts forming a collective entity. the way you place your modules next to each other.
symmetrical balance
a form of balance that is created when shapes are mirrored on either side of an axis, as in a composition that is vertically divided down the center
radial symmetry
a form of balance that is created when shapes or volumes are mirrored both vertically and horizontally, with the center of the composition acting as a focal point
visual weight
the inclination of shapes to float or sink based on their solidity and compositional location. the relative importance of a visual element within a design
emphasis
special attention given to some aspect of a composition which gives it prominence
accent
a line, shape, or color that has been emphasized.
anomaly
an obvious break from norm in a design. often used to emphasize an idea
contrast
the degree of difference between compositional parts or between one image and another. tends to be eye catching, and is used to create dynamic, highly readable images