Color Usage

Assignment 3
 Assignment 3: Color Usage
Content:

• Color schemes

• Color interactions

• Color usage

• Greyscale – value / Saturation (Intensity) / Tint, tone, shade

Objectives:

• To study and understand how color and value are formed and the relationships between
different colors and various values

• To explore the practical and aesthetic factors influencing color usage in various applied
design disciplines

Grading Criteria:

• Creativity & Originality à Stylish graphic vector translation architectural theme

• Element & Principle à 6 color schemes and color interaction

• Execution & Craftmanship à Sharpness, cleanliness and neatness of vector graphics

Color schemes

1. Monochromatic

2. Analogous

3. Complementary

4. Triad

5. Split-complementary

6. Double complementary
 1

Monochromatic

The easiest formula for harmony is monochromatic because it only uses one color or hue.
To create a monochromatic color scheme, pick a spot on the color wheel, then use your
knowledge of saturation and value to create variations.
Benefits of Going Monochrome
• One color automatically creates a sense of simplicity and harmony

• It can be easy to design, because you don’t have to worry about matching colors

• It sets the scene for a minimal style that gives content room to shine

• Monotone backgrounds allow contrasting elements room to be seen

• Monotone color schemes provide some accessibility benefits when it comes to

users with color blindness

• Single-color can make an impression, especially with a strong or unusual base color
Monochromatic – Logo
Monochromatic – Webpage
Monochromatic – Advertisement
Monochromatic – Animation
 2

Analogous

An analogous color scheme uses colors that are next to each other on the wheel, like reds
and oranges or blues and greens. Play with the palette and create your own unique
interpretation. The formula is merely a starting point to help guide and inspire you.
Analogous – Use 3 or more colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel
Why it works:

• Colors transition into one another - soothing to the eye and easy to create
• Helps your composition feel blended together and purposeful
• Eliminates contrast and vibrancy

• Analogous hues generally express a soft harmony, stressing similarities rather than differences between
the hues.

• Express a soft harmony, stressing similarities rather than differences between the hues.
When to use it - When you want more than one color, but still want a sense of unity.
Analogous – Logo
Analogous – Webpage
Analogous – Advertisement
Analogous – Animation
 3

Complementary

Complementary colors are opposite each other on the wheel; for instance, blue and orange
or the classic red and green. To avoid complementary color schemes that are too simplicity,
add some variety by introducing lighter, darker, or desaturated tones.
6 Complementary color sets

1.) Red + Green

2.) Yellow + Violet

3.) Blue + Orange

4.) Red-Orange + Blue-Green

5.) Yellow-Orange + Blue-Violet

6.) Red-Violet + Yellow-Green

Complementary – Logo
Complementary – Webpage
Complementary – Advertisement
Complementary – Animation
 4

Split-complementary

A split-complementary color scheme uses the colors on either side of the complement. This
gives you the same level of contrast as a complementary color scheme but more colors to
work with (and potentially more interesting results).
12 Split-complementary color sets
1. Yellow / Blue-violet / Red-violet

2. Yellow-orange / Blue / Violet

3. Orange / Blue-green / Blue-violet

4. Red-orange / Green / Blue

5. Red / Yellow-green / Blue-green

6. Red-violet / Yellow / Green

7. Violet / Yellow-green / Yellow-orange

8. Blue-violet / Yellow / Orange

9. Blue / Yellow-orange / Red-orange

10. Blue-green / Orange / Red

11. Green / Red-orange / Red-violet

12. Yellow-green / Red / Violet

Split-complementary – Logo
Green / Red-orange / Red-violet Yellow-orange / Blue / Violet

Split-complementary – Webpage
Blue / Yellow-orange / Red-orange Yellow / Blue-violet / Red-violet

Split-complementary – Advertisement
Split-complementary – Animation
 5

Triadic

A triadic color scheme uses three colors that are evenly spaced, forming a perfect triangle on
the wheel.
4 Triadic color sets

1. Red / Yellow / Blue

2. Orange / Green / Violet

3. Red-orange / Yellow-green / Blue-violet

4. Red-violet / Yellow-orange / Blue-green

Triadic – Logo
 Red-violet / Yellow-orange / Blue-green

Red / Yellow / Blue

Triadic – Webpage
Triadic – Advertisement
Triadic – Animation
 6

Double Complementary (Tetradic)

Tetradic color schemes form a rectangle on the wheel, using not one but two complementary color
pairs. This formula works best if you let one color dominate while the others serve as an accent.
 Double Complementary
(Tetradic) Scheme

• Richest of all the schemes à uses 4 colors

arranged into 2 complementary color pairs

• Hard to harmonize if all 4 colors are used in

equal amounts à a dominant color must be
chosen

• Pros: offers more color variety than any

other scheme

• As complements increase the apparent

intensity of each other, not all color sets will
be pleasing
6 Double Complementary (Tetradic) color sets

1. Red-Orange / Red-Violet / Blue-Green / Yellow-Green

2. Red / Violet / Yellow / Green

3. Red-Violet / Blue-Violet / Yellow-Orange / Yellow-Green

4. Violet / Blue / Yellow / Orange

5. Blue-Violet / Blue-Green / Yellow-Orange / Red-Orange

6. Blue / Green / Orange / Red

Double Complementary – Logo
 Red-Orange / Red-Violet / Blue-Green / Yellow-Green

Blue / Green / Orange / Red

Double Complementary – Webpage

Double Complementary – Advertisement
Double Complementary – Animation
Putting your palette into use
COLOR INTERACTIONS & COLOR USAGE
 Think in proportions
• Dominant Color: proportionally the largest expanse of
color (i.e. the ground)

• Subdominant (or subordinate) Color : the second largest

expanse of color after the dominant

• Accent Color: the color with the smallest relative area

OR

*This is a conceptual model; it does not mean that you can only ever use just 3 colors. For example, you can have a single dominant
color and a single accent color; but might have 3 shades of a subdominant to create a greater range of visual possibilities.
 20% 20%
30%

20%

50%

60%

60 / 30 / 10 60 / 20 / 20 50 / 30 / 20
Avoiding common mistakes

There are a few classic dos and don'ts

when it comes to color. For instance,
have you ever seen colors that seem
to vibrate when they're placed next
to each other?

The solution is to tone it down—

literally—and there's a simple way do
it. Start with one color, and try
adjusting its lightness, darkness,
or saturation. Sometimes a little
contrast is all your color palette
needs.

Readability is an important factor in

any design. Your colors should
be legible and easy on the eyes,
especially when working with text.
Instructions:
Assigned Date: July 18, 2022
Due Date: August 15, 2022

Topic: Iconic architectural buildings

Dimension: A3, CYMK, horizontal or vertical orientation (*depending on the design)
• Illustration > centered and A4 (*see next slide)

Quantity: 1 vector illustration design > 7 files to upload

• 6 color schemes: monochromatic, analogous, complementary, split-complementary, triadic, double
complementary > 1 file for each
• 1 complete set of all 6 color schemes (*use template provided)
Specifications:

• Create a stylized implied vector illustration

• Use dominant, subdominant, accent color proportions along with color ratios and continuous (sharing)
color placement

• Each color scheme should have a minimum of 5 colors with various values/saturation

• Patterns, gradients, textures may be used depending on your style

Technique: Adobe Illustrator, CMYK

• Print the complete set with all 6 color schemes on one A3 digital print à Put in a clear A3 size portfolio
• Name and Student ID on the back, bottom right corner
 A3

A4

Dimension: A3 (29.7 x 42 cm > horizontal or vertical) > Illustration centered and A4 size (21 x 29.7 cm)
• Helevetica, Bold, 18 pt, SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
• ALL Capital letters

• Delete/Hide guidelines
• Center illustration

Helevetica, Regular, 14 pt Monochromatic Split-complementary Monochromatic Split-complementary

Analogous Triad Analogous Triad

Complementary Double complementary Complementary Double complementary

TEMPLATE: StudentID_Firstname_AAD1002_A3-Completeset.ai
 1. Monochromatic 2. Analogous 3. Complementary

?
4. Triad 5. Split-complementary 6. Double complementary

• Each color palette should have a minimum of 5 colors with various values/saturation
• Use color proportion (dominant, subdominant, accent and the color ratio rule AND continuous (sharing) color
placement
• Fill in the elements and forms of your simplified vector illustration with the colors chosen > pattern, gradient,
texture, etc. are up to you and your vector illustration style
Monochromatic Analogous

Complementary Triad
 Schedule
• Week 1: (July 18, 2022) – Introduce Assignment #3
- Random (“lucky draw”) > Iconic architectural building selection

- Sketch 5 different simplified designs of the assigned iconic architectural building à one A4 sheet of paper or page in sketchbook
• Week 2: (July 25, 2022) – Critique and comment iconic architectural building sketches
– HMWK: Create vector illustration of selected sketch > Create 2-3 variations EACH of Monochromatic, Analogous, Complementary

– Send samples on one A3, JPEG file à to MS Teams by August 1, 2022 between 12:00-15:00
• Week 3: (August 1, 2022) – Critique and comment via MS Teams Chat (Midterm Period – No class)
– HMWK: Create 2-3 variations EACH of Triad, Split Complementary, Double Complementary

– Send samples on one A3, JPEG file à to MS Teams by August 8, 2022 between 12:00-15:00
• Week 4: (August 8, 2022) – Critique and comment via MS Teams Chat (Midterm Period – No class)
– HMWK: Finalize all 6 color schemes and compile together in the *StudentID_Firstname_AAD1002_A3-Completeset.ai Template

• Week 5: (August 15, 2022) – Submit Assignment 3 in a clear A3 size portfolio in class
– StudentID_Firstname_AAD1002_A3-Monochromatic (*save as Ai file as PDF)
– StudentID_Firstname_AAD1002_A3-Analogous (*save as Ai file as PDF)

– StudentID_Firstname_AAD1002_A3-Complementary (*save as Ai file as PDF)

– StudentID_Firstname_AAD1002_A3-Triad (*save as Ai file as PDF)
– StudentID_Firstname_AAD1002_A3-Splitcomplementary (*save as Ai file as PDF)

– StudentID_Firstname_AAD1002_A3-Doublecomplementary (*save as Ai file as PDF)

– StudentID_Firstname_AAD1002_A3-Completeset.ai (*All 6 color schemes in one > use template provided > save as Ai file as PDF)
Assigned Architectural Building à Lucky Draw
Architect, Title, Year

1. Antoni Gaudí & Josep Maria Jujol, Casa Milà , 1906-1912

2. Postnik Yakovlev & Ivan Barma, St. Basil’s Cathedral, 1555-1561

3. Frank Lloyd Wright, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1959

4. Frank Gehry, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, 1997

5. Antoni Gaudí, Sagrada Família, 1882 – 2026

6. William of Volpiano, Le Mont Saint-Michel, 1523

7. Frank Gehry & Vlado Milunić,, Dancing House, 1992-1996

8. Cass Gilbert, National Museum of the American Indian, 1907

9. Eero Saarinen, David Kahler, & Santiago Calatrava, Milwaukee Art Museum, 1888

10. Jorn Utzon, Sydney Opera House, 1959-1973

11. Antoni Gaudí, Casa Batlló, 1904-1906

12. Zaha Hadid, Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre, 2007-2012

*Remark: Students are to find his/her own photograph as a guide to the vector illustration > consider different perspectives / viewpoints
 Image 1

Antoni Gaudí & Josep Maria Jujol, Casa Milà , 1906-1912

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
 Image 2

Postnik Yakovlev & Ivan Barma, St. Basil’s Cathedral, 1555-1561,

Red Square, Moscow, Russia
 Image 3

f Guggenheim Museum, 1959

Frank Lloyd Wright, Solomon R.
New York, United States of America
 Image 4

Frank Gehry, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, 1997

Bilbao, Spain
 Image 5

Antoni Gaudí, Sagrada Família, 1882 – 2026

Barcelona, Spain
 Image 6

William of Volpiano, Le Mont Saint-Michel, 1523

Normandy, France
 Image 7

Frank Gehry & Vlado Milunić, Dancing House, 1992-1996

Prague, Czech Republic
 Image 8

Cass Gilbert, National Museum of the American Indian, 1907

Washington D.C., United States of America
 Image 9

Eero Saarinen, David Kahler, & Santiago Calatrava, Milwaukee Art Museum, 1888
Wisconsin, United States of America
 Image 10

Jorn Utzon, Sydney Opera House, 1959-1973

Sydney, Australia
 Image 11

Antoni Gaudí, Casa Batlló, 1904-1906

Barcelona, Spain
 Image 12

Zaha Hadid, Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre, 2007-2012

Bazu, Azerbaijan
Vector Illustration References
https://dribbble.com/shots/7779433-MCM-Houses
Student Examples
SCHRÖDER HOUSE SCHRÖDER HOUSE

Monochromatic Split-complementary Monochromatic Split-complementary

Analogous Triad Analogous Triad

Complementary Double complementary Complementary Double complementary

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

Monochromatic Split-complementary Monochromatic Split-complementary

Analogous Triad Analogous Triad

Complementary Double complementary Complementary Double complementary

LE MONT SAINT-MICHEL LE MONT SAINT-MICHEL

Monochromatic Split-complementary Monochromatic Split-complementary

Analogous Triad Analogous Triad

Complementary Double complementary Complementary Double complementary

SOLOMON R. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM

Monochromatic Split-complementary Monochromatic Split-complementary

Analogous Triad Analogous Triad

Complementary Double Complementary Complementary Double complementary

TAJ MAHAL `
CASA MILA

Monochromatic Split-complementary Monochromatic Split-complementary

Analogous Triad Analogous Triad

Complementary Double complementary Complementary Double complementary

Color Palettes & Their Usage References
• Beginning Graphic Design: Color > https://youtu.be/_2LLXnUdUIc

• Make hundreds of Color Palettes from 1 color > https://youtu.be/u5AnzLg1HxY

• How to apply a color palette to your design > https://youtu.be/eXcKOqviLE0

• How To Balance Your Color Palette – The 60-30-10 Rule > https://youtu.be/V-SD_zV9S2c

• How To Choose Colors: The 60/30/10 Color Hack! > https://youtu.be/zq1XYHs1n6A

• The art of color: Paul Smith experiences Art Palette > https://youtu.be/VDQw70hYGrc

• Feed your creativity with colors on Art Palette > https://youtu.be/cyE182zF3Y8

Color Websites:

• Google Arts & Culture / Experiments / Art Palette >

https://artsexperiments.withgoogle.com/artpalette/

• Adobe Color > https://color.adobe.com/create/color-wheel

• Color Hunt > https://colorhunt.co/

• Coolors > https://coolors.co/

Vector Illustration Tutorials

• How to create FLAT ILLUSTRATION based on photo in Adobe Illustrator >

https://youtu.be/l0W2e1mGntQ

• Step By Step Tutorial ||How To Create Flat Illustration Based on Photo in Adobe Illustrator >
https://youtu.be/MyYh_s3OO9s

• How to Create Flat Illustration Based On Photo in Adobe Illustrator >

https://youtu.be/NAxXadgvhEQ

• ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR House Illustration - Vector Shape Illustration >

https://youtu.be/fwxcRQ_cLFE

• Drawing a Victorian era house in illustrator - Fast drawing > https://youtu.be/5u4uY1Kuez4

• llustrator Tutorial Modern House Vector Design | Sopheap Design >

https://youtu.be/R7Xn7tbmwNM

• Night Scene | Flat Vector Illustration of Forest House > https://youtu.be/wGLEtXEjfkU