Instructional design/Color Selection for Message Design/Unit2 Effects

Color Selection for Message Design

Introduction

Unit 1 High- and Low-Keyed Colors

Unit 2 Warm and Cool Colors

Unit 3 Color Combinations

Unit 4 Psychology of Colors

Final Exam!

Effects of Warm and Cool Colors edit

Warm and cool colors are found to form the following impressions:

Warm colors: Come forward and look larger; more appropriate for foreground elements
Cool colors: Move backward and look smaller; more appropriate for background elements

Examples of the Effects of Warm Colors edit

Comes Forward edit

While both the cars stop at the area, you might have a feeling that they are moving forward. As such, warm color objects in pictures are perceived as coming forward.

Looks Larger edit

While the orange and blue joints of the left picture are same length, you might have a feeling that the blue one is shorter. Similarly, while it is apparent that the right picture consists primarily of green color, you might have a feeling that the moth is large because it consists of a warm color (orange).

Examples of the Effects of Cool Colors edit

Moves Backward edit

You might think that "nothing stands out in the pictures." Cool colors tend to move backward and do not stand out. They are more appropriate for background than for foreground elements.

Looks Smaller edit

Compared with warm colors, cool colors look shrinking than expanding. When you want to indicate the smallness of something, you would want to consider using cool colors.

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