Colour Scheme

Colour Theory

Colour scheme is an arrangement of colours used to create a particular style of appeal. They are usually colours that often complement each other. To create an appealing colour scheme is being able to use certain colour harmoniously to produce significant and remarkable out comes. Colour have the power to set particular emotional temperament and attract attention making a statement to the audience. The colour scheme is an influential division of producing an effective magazine. 

Types of colour schemes

Tonal - use just one colour but varying tones of it throughout a room or use more than one colour but all with the same depth of tone.

Harmonious - pick colours next to each other or near each other on the wheel. These schemes generally give a look that's easy to live with and are tranquil and restful.

Complementary - ‘contrasting’ colours lie opposite each other on the colour wheel. Complementary colours generally inject some life into a scheme, are more daring and will make more of an impact but might not be so easy to live with. 

When deliberating between the types of colour scheme of harmonious, complementary and tonal, it was important to consider colours with similar densities and tone. This was so that the different variety of colour don’t over power one another within the magazine. Therefore the use of the harmonious colour scheme would produce the professional and successful magazine that would best engage and appeal to my target audience. The harmonious colour scheme that uses similar toned colours will create a balanced, composed specialised colour scheme.

The colour connotations of my chosen colour scheme:-

Black- The colour black is considered a formal, prestigious colour. It denotes strength and authority. If I was to use black as the main background of the magazine, it is possible it would reduce the readability of the text. Therefore using a white or grey background will allow other dominant colour to stand out.

White- The colour white symbolises a sense of purity and simplicity. White is the contrast of the colour black, white has a positive connotation reflecting precision and innocence opposed to the darker shade of black.

Red- The colour red implies strong emotions such as desire and passion. The use of red allows the text and images to the focal point of the readers eye. Red is an emotionally intense colour.

Grey- The colour grey infers maturity and reliability. Using too much of a particular colour in this case grey can create a sense of depression and isolation to the magazine.