Demystifying Color Models

A color model is an abstract mathematical model describing the way colors can be represented as -numbers, typically as three or four values or color components.

- Wikipedia (color models)

Abstract mathematical models?!  Don’t worry, we’re not going to go all “A Beautiful Mind” here, with a bunch of numbers & formulas. In this post, we’ll just be taking a look at the basic principles & characteristics of the most popular color models.

What is a Color Model?

A color model is really just a set of rules that help make it possible to measure or describe the various attributes of a particular color. One of the first and probably simplest color models we all probably learned in kindergarten. RYB (which stands for Red, Yellow &, Blue) measures and describes the amount of Red, Yellow and Blue in a particular hue. For example Green is a mix of 50% Yellow + 50% Blue. More complex color model systems measure not only Hue (color range/mix ratios) but also tint, tone, shade and other characteristics required to reproduce a color precisely in various mediums (paint, ink, screen  media, textile printing etc).

The ability to reproduce a particular color in precise shades and tones is vital to carrying a visual idea beyond its original medium. Understanding the basic principles and differences of the various color models can help insure that your original design is reproduced as faithfully in print as it is on screen.

Additive Color Model vs. Subtractive Color Model

The first fundamental breakdown of color models is the way in which colors are created. Remember all that stuff about the visual color spectrum from the last article? This is where all of that information becomes important.

The Subtractive Color Model

With the subtractive color model colors are created by removing or absorbing wavelengths of light, the remaining wavelengths are reflected as color.  Subtractive color starts at white, mixes in inks, paints or dyes to achieve color – eventually enough overlapping layers of color absorbs all of the wavelengths leaving only black. Printing typically uses a CMYK color model, a great example of a subtractive color model at work.

The CMYK Color Model

CMYK, which stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black), a widely used subtractive color model, is often used in printing. The CMYK color model involves introducing and overlapping various percentages of cyan, magenta, yellow and black ink to reproduce millions of colors.

The Additive Color Model

The additive color model works by introducing a limited set of wavelengths to the visual area producing color. Additive color generally involves light as the medium, so it starts at black  introducing wavelengths until eventually all wavelengths are visible creating white light. Computer screens typically use some variation of an RGB color model, a perfect example of an additive color model at work.

The RGB Color Model

RGB, which stands for Red, Blue and Green,  is probably the most popular additive color model and is most frequently used in computer displays. The RGB color model involves introducing red, green and blue light in combination to create millions of colors.

Color Model Mysteries: SOLVED!

Elementary my Dear reader! Hopefully this cleared up any confusions about what color models are, described the differences and explained how they are used. Understanding color models can help you keep from making costly design mistakes and allows you to create new, exciting effects with color in your design work.

So far in the Color and Design series we’ve discussed what Color Theory is, and delved into the various Color Models – but there’s more! Continue reading the Color and Design series to discover more about how a great grasp on color can improve your design. Also, be sure to check out the 3rd party resources listed below for more on Color Models. And as always, your comments are encouraged and appreciated.

Color Model Resources

• http://www.colorcube.com/articles/models/model.htm
• http://www.worqx.com/color/color_systems.htm
• http://www.colorjack.com/articles/color_models.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_model
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RGB_color_model
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CMYK_color_model
• http://www.techexchange.com/thelibrary/ColorModel.html
• http://www.sketchpad.net/basics4.htm

An Introduction To Color Theory

Color theory is a body of practical guidance to color mixing and the visual impacts of specific color combinations

-Wikipedia (color theory)

We’ve all seen it/felt it – It might have been a logo, a website or even the clothes you were wearing – but when you looked at it something was just… off. Color is one of those things that may not draw much attention when its right, but it certainly makes an impression when its wrong. While some people have a natural nack for it, there is a lot of science behind matching up hues in a color scheme – that’s where a little understanding of color theory comes in handy.

Color theory is essentially just a structured way of organizing and using color in design, but in order to better understand color theory it might help to learn a bit about its origins.

Color Theory Basics: Starting at The Beginning

The long and sometimes controversial history of color theory has been influenced by some of the most notable names in science and art.  The earliest concepts related to color theory emerged during the Renaissance when Leonardo da Vinci & Leone Battista Alberti postulated on ‘optics’ (the study of the behavior and properties of light) among other things.

However, full fledged color theory didn’t really emerge until much later with Sir Isaac Newton’s own experimentation into optics where he discovered the color spectrum.

The Color Spectrum

Through his various experiments Newton demonstrated that white light, when separated using a prism, was really a spectrum (or an array) of various colors combined. His experimentation exposed the existence of the visible spectrum of light, which he  studied extensively dividing it into 7 distinct color bands – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. It has since been argued that indigo, being relatively undetectable to the human eye, shouldn’t be considered a separate color. Goethe’s own color model for instance opts for only 6 distinct color bands, neglecting Indigo.

The Color Wheel

To help visualize color relationships, Newton developed the color wheel. A simplified model of the color spectrum, the color wheel starts at red and cycles clockwise through the hues to violet. The key to the color wheel is observing how one band of color relates to another band based on its proximity or position.

While Newton’s original color wheel had 7 distinct hues, Goethe’s Theory of Color introduced a symmetrical 6 hue color wheel (with-out Indigo). Goethe’s color wheel positioned colors directly opposite of one another, allowing each color to be “diametrically opposed” to its color counterpart – our first scientific peek into the contrasting & complimentary nature of color relationships.

Color Theory Recap

While the term Color Theory itself can sound a bit lofty, keep in mind, it’s just a simple, structured way of organizing colors and understanding color relationships. The basics are simple & can be applied by even the most novice of artists/designers. Hopefully, armed with a little color theory knowledge we can make smart color choices that improve our design efforts.

But Color Theory is just the beginning – continue reading the Color and Design series to discover more about how color can influence your design for the better. Also, be sure to check out the 3rd party resources listed below for more on Color Theory. And as always, your comments are encouraged and appreciated.

Color Theory Resources

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_theory
• http://www.colourlovers.com/blog/2008/05/08/history-of-the-color-wheel/
• http://www.worqx.com/color/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RYB_color_model
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_Colours_%28book%29
• http://www.cs.brown.edu/courses/cs092/VA10/HTML/ColorModels.html
• http://www.colormatters.com/colortheory.html
• http://www.johnlovett.com/colour.htm
• http://www.colorcube.com/articles/models/model.htm
• http://www.colorcube.com/articles/theory/theory.htm

Color and Design Introduction

Two of the greatest weapons in any design ninja’s arsenal are a keen understanding of color, and a strong grasp on how to apply it in design. Color, both evocative and visceral, compels an emotional response engaging the audience both instantly and deeply. Color… is powerful.

However, color’s power is raw & primal, and with-out direction it can quickly overpower your design. Like other visual elements at a designers disposal, color is a tool that must be managed and applied purposefully to achieve its maximum effectiveness. In concert with line, form (or shapes), proportion, texture and balance, color can attract or deflect attention, infer weight & momentum, imbue mood or completely modify the meaning of a design.

Color and Design Series

Over the course of several articles we’ll uncover some of the essential principles that govern color, and explore methods of effectively leveraging color in design.

Key articles in this series will include an introduction to Color Theory, an exploration of the Color Wheel and related color schemes (primary, secondary, tertiary, complimentary, split complimentary etc), a study of the various color models (RYB, CMYK and RGB), a look at defining the difference between saturation and value (tints, tones, and shades), a discussion on color psychology & color meanings, and collections of HTML color codes, color scheme tools and other color & design related resources & inspiration.

The Color and Design article series avoids the extensive complexities of mathematical color science (mathematical formulas & physics), and focuses more on the essential principles of color and design that relate most directly to how designers use color in our work.

I hope you enjoy reading the series as much as I have enjoyed collecting the data and writing the articles.