Understanding Color

Fashion Design

Impact of Color

• Symbols• Temperature• Movement• Mood

What is Color?

• Light is the source of all color

• Pigments absorb some light rays and reflect others

Color Wheel

• Primary Colors– Red– Yellow– Blue– All other colors are

made of these

Color Wheel

• Secondary Colors– Orange– Violet– Green– Made up of equal

amounts of primary colors

Color Wheel

• Intermediate Colors– Red-orange– Red-violet– Blue-violet– Blue-green– Yellow-green– Yellow-orange– Made up of equal

amounts of primary and secondary

Color Variations

• Value: lightness or darkness

• Tint: white has been added

• Shade: black has been added

• Intensity: brightness or dullness

Cool vs. Warm

• Cool– Blues– Greens

• Warm– Reds– Yellows

Personal Coloring

• Skin tones– Yellow, gold or peach

cast has warm undertones

– Blue or pink trace indicates cool undertones

• Seasonal approach• What season are you?

Color Effects…..

• Body Shape– Increase size

• White• Warm hues• Light values• High intensities

– Decrease size• Black• Cool hues• Dark shades• Low intensities

• Height– Single color makes you

look taller

• Emphasis– Contrasting belt makes

center of attention