Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Getting Inspiration for a Color Scheme

If you are working on a design project of some sort, you know that one of the most important things to think about is the color scheme for it. This is one of the first topics of discussion when you learn how to become a graphic designer, and it is something that will dictate much of what you do in your multimedia career. As difficult as it may seem to come up with a color scheme for a project, it is something you can do with the right inspiration. Here are a few tips to help you select the perfect colors for whatever you are working on.


Find the Right Image

Sometimes it is easy to pull colors from an image you want to use in a project. For instance, let's say that you are designing an ad campaign for Red Bull. Since the logo is red, blue, and silver, you may pull those colors into your design. You could also use an image on a page to inspire your design, rather than a logo per say. I have even seen people choose a background image for something and then use it as a foundation for the solid colors in the project. You just have to get the right image to use from the start.

Use Complementary Colors

If you don't want to pull colors from an image, you may want to use complementary colors instead. These are colors that appear on opposite sides of the color wheel, like red and green or blue and orange. Complementary colors can create visual contrast, and they will actually make each other stand out. As long as you get the right shade of each color, you should be able to create the look you're going for.

Create a Monochromatic Medley

Sometimes it is fun just to use the same color all over a project. The way you can do this is by using different shades of the same color so that there is still some contrast on the page. You could use light blue for a background color and then bright blue for the accents on top of it. There are tons of ways to get creative like this, even if you are working with the same color repeatedly. If you have no idea which two or three colors you want to put together, this is a great way to still get a project done without stressing about colors.

Relate to the Audience

Think about the colors that your audience is most likely going to be drawn to. If you are reaching out to a younger audience, you may want to use black, white, and a bold color to create a modern look for your project. If you are reaching out to an older audience, you may use more natural colors, like brown and green. You have to know whom you are trying to get attention from. Then you can make a plan that related well to them.

Picking the right colors for a project is an important part of working in multimedia. It may not always be easy to get inspired, and you may even have to wait for inspiration to come to you. When it does though, you should be able to whip out whatever graphics you want with ease. Don't let yourself get frustrated with a project. Just try to push through it the best that you can. If you can stay focused long enough to get through it, you will know what to do next time.

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