An Introduction To Color Theory For Business Owners

Business owners and leaders have to make a lot of decisions, especially those who are starting their own small businesses. From hiring and financial planning to marketing and design, sometimes it can be a lot to handle. For those who work within bigger organizations, there is still a lot to gain in learning about other departments. So, in today’s blog, we’ll be discussing design, specifically color theory and how it can benefit your business. Read on to learn more, and use your fresh design knowledge to choose the perfect custom framed display from Simple Snap Frame for your organization!

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The Color Wheel

Many of us have probably not thought about the color wheel since elementary school art class, but it is a very useful tool when it comes to design. If you don’t quite remember what the color wheel is, let us offer you a refresher. The color wheel is an arrangement of colors based on a triangular arrangement of the primary colors: red, yellow, and blue.

All other colors are derived from combinations of those primary colors, which give us secondary colors – green and orange, for example – and tertiary colors such as red-orange, blue-purple, and yellow-green. In a color wheel, all of these shades are arranged in a continuous circle, which can come in handy when determining eye-catching color schemes, as we’ll discuss in a moment.

Color Harmony

Harmony refers to a pleasing arrangement, and color harmony specifically applies to color combinations. Choosing the right elements for a color design will engage the viewer. A combination that is too simplistic is boring, while one that is too chaotic will be off-putting. The goal of color harmony is to find the balance in between — this is where the color wheel comes back into play! If you are ever unsure of what colors you should choose for a design scheme, you can always fall back on one of these themes:

Analogous Colors

An analogous color scheme utilizes colors that are positioned next to each other on the color wheel. If you want to keep it simple and coordinated, then this is a great way to do that without relying on a single boring color. Instead of just green, utilize green, yellow, and yellow-green.

Monochromatic Colors

If you are dedicated to utilizing a single color, then you do have an option other than analogous colors. You can also choose a monochromatic scheme, which means you use one color in varying shades. Limiting your design to a scale between red and pink would be an example of a monochromatic color scheme, as red and pink are the same color, only one is lighter or darker than the other.

Complementary Colors

When you want to add drama or dimension to a design scheme, consider complementary colors. These are colors that are positioned opposite each other on the color wheel. Green and purple, for example, and the shades surrounding either. It’s a great way to find safe contrasting colors.

Triadic Colors

Do you want to expand your horizons even further while staying within safe combinations offered by the color wheel? Explore triadic colors. This color scheme uses three different color groups that are placed equidistant to each other around the color wheel. If you placed an equilateral triangle in the middle of the color wheel, you would find triadic colors at each of the points. Red, yellow, and blue are great examples!

Use Color To Benefit Your Business

We hope today’s blog has given you some helpful guidance in how to match and combine different colors. If you’re making the design decisions for your organization, we know you’ll appreciate having the resources to make the best possible choices. That’s why Simple Snap Frame offers our classic front-loading frame is available in a range of colors and finishes. Explore our inventory when you’re ready to get started, and keep an eye on this blog for more information on how color theory can help engage your customers and clients!