Visual Design Solutions: Principles and Creative Inspiration for Learning Professionals

Chapter 7Use Color with Purpose

“In order to use color effectively it is necessary to realize that color deceives continually.”

— Josef Albers

The Framework

THIS CHAPTER answers these questions:

• What are the psychological effects of color?
• How can I use color in learning materials?
• How do I design for people with color vision deficiency?
• How do I select a pleasing palette?

Color will demand a lot from you. It must work with the typography and images you select. It must also fit your content, your audience, and your purpose. But that's not all. Color is a chameleon. It changes appearance according to its surroundings. And to make things more difficult, people are known to perceive colors differently.

But you can't ignore color. It is a powerful channel of communication and an enigmatic aspect of visual design. It has both an aesthetic as well as a utilitarian purpose. Color creates a mood, attracts attention, and conveys meaning. It can add visual appeal, improve usability, and enable learning.

In this chapter, you will come to better understand color and see how to manage it. You will learn a bit about color theory and how to select a pleasing palette. You will also find out how to best express the message you want to convey through the intentional use of color.

Color and Emotion

Colors are known to evoke emotions and, as a result, are capable of affecting one's overall ...