Color: An Elaborate Take
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It brings me deep joy to create this blog and give you my own personal take on color. Color gets overlooked as something insignificant that we often take for granted. When in reality—it’s one of the richest aspects of our existence. The opportunities within color are endless, and exploring them brings a kind of primordial delight, only to be rivaled by sound. But enough on sound… let’s get into the world of COLOR (or colour if you’re feeling fancy :-P).
The Electromagnetic Spectrum and Visible Light
First and foremost, we need to touch on the electromagnetic spectrum—the complete range of electromagnetic radiation, ordered by wavelength and frequency. It runs from low-energy radio waves to high-energy gamma rays.
When humans experience color, we’re tuning into just a tiny slice called visible light (roughly 380–700 nanometers in wavelength) 1. Our eyes use cones to detect color (red, green, and blue-sensitive types) and rods to perceive light vs. dark.
Within this narrow band lies over 10 million distinguishable colors 2. That’s a LOT of color to play with.
Color Systems and Models
There are several systems we use to classify and reproduce colors across art, design, and technology:
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Pantone Color System
A universal reference used in design and printing. Pantone codes guarantee color consistency worldwide. The annual Pantone Color of the Year even influences trends in fashion, branding, and interior design. -
HEX Codes
A six-character alphanumeric value (like#FF5733) used in web design to represent exact colors. HEX is essentially shorthand for RGB values. -
RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
An additive color model used on screens. Start with black and add red, green, or blue light in varying intensities. When all three are maxed out—you get white. -
HSL and HSV
These stand for Hue, Saturation, Lightness (or Value). They let designers fine-tune:
- -Hue = base color (red, green, etc.)
- -Saturation = intensity (vivid vs. muted)
- -Lightness/Value = brightness (close to black or white).
Each system gives us a different lens for exploring color’s infinite possibilities.
Prisms, Rainbows, and Nature’s Palette
A prism refracts white light, splitting it into bands of color. This is essentially how a rainbow forms in nature—when sunlight interacts with raindrops in the air. But you’ll only catch a rainbow if the sun is behind you and the atmosphere is just right. Nature really knows how to put on a show.
Color Theory: How Colors Work Together
Color theory is the roadmap to harmony:
- Complementary colors – opposites on the wheel (blue + orange) that create striking contrast.
- Analogous colors – neighbors on the wheel (green + teal + blue) that flow together smoothly.
- Triadic schemes – three colors spaced evenly on the wheel (red + yellow + blue).
- We also divide colors into:
- Warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) → energetic, cozy, stimulating.
- Cool colors (blues, greens, purples) → calm, soothing, refreshing.
Finding Your Personal Palette
Colors influence how we feel and how others perceive us. Systems like seasonal color analysis help people choose clothing or makeup shades that flatter their natural coloring.
For example, I personally don’t mesh well with neon (tragic, I know). But understanding your palette is like unlocking a personal style cheat code.
The Connection Between Sound and Color
Color is essentially light vibrating at certain frequencies, while sound is air vibrating. Both can stir deep emotions. Just as music can make you feel nostalgic or energized, a color palette can spark the same shift in mood.
Sometimes you might resonate with a specific artist without realizing why. Chances are, their color palette is one of the hidden reasons.
Apps to Explore Color Palettes
Want to play around with colors yourself? These apps make it easy:
- Coolors – instantly generates palettes.
- Pocket Palette – lets you save and organize your own schemes.
- Pastel – great for precise palette editing.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little journey into the world of color. Maybe it expanded your perception of what’s possible visually—or even inspired you to pay attention to the subtle hues around you.
And remember: all colors come from white 😛
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