{"id":1984,"date":"2014-04-21T15:40:58","date_gmt":"2014-04-21T15:40:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/?p=1984"},"modified":"2026-04-13T06:06:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T06:06:22","slug":"youre-not-colorblind-improve-your-color-sense-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/youre-not-colorblind-improve-your-color-sense-now\/","title":{"rendered":"You\u2019re not Colorblind! Improve Your Color Sense Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Last Updated July 2024)<\/em><\/p>\n

Picking colors that work well together is a bit of science, gut (taste), common sense (legibility\/usability) and culture. You can make brilliant designs if you understand basic color theory, and your clients won\u2019t make you feel that you are colorblind because of your odd color choices. With some self-study and practical exercises, you can create clean designs with various color palettes without fear.<\/p>\n

Colors have meaning based on your client\u2019s geography<\/h2>\n

Color is a form of nonverbal communication and people are influenced by it subconsciously. However, choosing the right color is subjective. What invokes one reaction in one person may invoke a very different reaction in someone else, and this can be from numerous factors such as person preferences or cultural background. Even changing the hue or saturation of a color can completely change the meaning of the color<\/a>, and also the intended message.<\/p>\n

\"Colors<\/a>
\nSource: ThinkStock\/hxdbzxy<\/p>\n

Western Cultures<\/strong>
\nRed:<\/b> passion, love, anger
\nOrange:<\/b> energy, happiness, vitality
\nYellow:<\/b> happiness, hope, deceit
\nGreen:<\/b> growth, nature
\nBlue:<\/b> calm, responsible, sadness
\nPurple:<\/b> creativity, royalty, wealth
\nBlack:<\/b> mystery, elegance, evil
\nWhite:<\/b> purity, cleanliness, virtue
\nBrown:<\/b> nature, dependability
\nPink: <\/b>feminine<\/p>\n

\"Asian<\/a>
\nSource: ThinkStock\/Toa55<\/p>\n

Eastern Cultures<\/strong>
\nRed:<\/b> prosperity, good fortune, bridal color
\nOrange:<\/b> happiness, spirituality
\nYellow:<\/b> sacred, imperial
\nGreen:<\/b> new life, regeneration, hope, fertility
\nBlue:<\/b> immortality
\nPurple:<\/b> wealth
\nBlack:<\/b> wealth, health and prosperity
\nWhite:<\/b> death, mourning and funerals
\nBrown:<\/b> earth, nature
\nPink:<\/b> feminine<\/p>\n

Take the time to consider your audiences\u2019 location! Due to their cultural background, their perception of your color choices can make or break your design in front of your client.<\/p>\n

The color wheel is an old concept<\/h2>\n

Sir Isaac Newton developed the first circular diagram of colors in 1666, but scientists and artists have studied and designed numerous variations of this concept. Each of the color diagram design contain the following basics: primary colors, secondary colors, and tertiary colors.<\/p>\n

\"Color<\/a>
\nSource: ThinkStock\/Swillklitch<\/p>\n

Primary colors are red, yellow, and blue, and these pigments can\u2019t be mixed or formed by any combination of other colors. All the other colors come from these three hues.<\/p>\n

Secondary colors are green, orange, and purple, and these are the colors formed by mixing two primary colors together.<\/p>\n

Tertiary colors are yellow -orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green & yellow-green.
\nThese are the colors formed by mixing a primary and a secondary color. That’s why hues have a two word name, such as blue-green, red-violet, and yellow-orange.<\/p>\n

You will want to familiarize yourself with the following concepts if you want to create some fantastic and unique designs:<\/p>\n