[color schemes] How do YOU create them?

JL
Posted By
Joel_L.
Nov 7, 2003
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485
Replies
5
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Closed
Hello. I design multimedia and graphics for on-screen (not for print). I am interested in how others here go about creating harmonious color schemes on the computer. For example, there are schemes based on monochromatic, analagous, complementary, split complementary, triad, tetrad and other color formulas. What is your work flow, how do you do it? Do you do it directly in Photoshop, use 3rd party utilities, etc.?

I have looked at software such as http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/ or http://www.tigercolor.com, which seems to be very helpful. I am curious as to why mature graphics applications like Photoshop do not include similar tools. Photoshop has an extensive color picker, however it seems primarily geared toward choosing one color at a time as opposed to seeing how a set of colors interact with each other at once like the above software. I imagine that print people would work with physical tools like Pantone or other color swatches, however that workflow really isn’t applicable since this is for on-screen only.

Well, let me know your thoughts.
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GH
Gernot_Hoffmann
Nov 7, 2003
You may have a look here:
<http://www.fho-emden.de/~hoffmann/palette30082003.pdf>

A "harmonic color editor" is the Color harmony tool by X-Rite ColorShop, based on the theory of Johannes Itten (URLs on request).

Best regards –Gernot Hoffmann
JL
Joel_L.
Nov 7, 2003
Gernot,

Thanks for the reply. I looked at your document as well as other parts of your web site. The technical and scientific work you have done with color looks impressive and is certainly one way to approach it. However, being a less technical person in this area, I was thinking more along the lines of how colors are chosen in the creative design sense. In other words, when I am in the midst of designing a graphic in Photoshop, what is the process or tools that I use to create harmonious colors to use for the text, background, and other graphic elements I am combining together.

I looked up info on ColorShop:
http://www.xrite.com/documents/mktg/L11-112.pdf
It looks like powerful color management and analysis software, however in this case I am looking at the creative aspect of choosing harmonious colors, not managing color across devices and color spaces. It did mention the ability to blend colors, although that feature is not detailed in the brochure. Then I saw that apparently it is a Mac-only product. Since I am on the Windows platform, it becomes a moot point. Thanks anyhow.
GH
Gernot_Hoffmann
Nov 8, 2003
Joel,

a) you can use the "balanced palette" colors as they are. The choice of "harmony" is up to you. Depends heavily on the context and the size of the areas.
This doc contains just samples. Knowledge of the theory behind is really not required.
b) X-Rite ColorShop works on PC as well. In recent years they had offered a free trial version which was restricted to one mode per session. For your application: the "color harmony tool", which creates pleasant combinations of two, three or even more colors.

Personally I wouldn´t rely on tools like this. The major problem is the balance of very different patches and the general acceptance by several observers, especially the customer.

Best regards –Gernot Hoffmann
P
Phosphor
Nov 8, 2003
Joel…

You may find the link in message # 15 in this thread <http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx?14@@.2ccd3ccf/36> helpful and interesting. Check out the rest of the Photoshop Lounge Resource Repository while you’re there as well.
T
Terrat
Nov 8, 2003
Probably too simplistic for you. I work with photgraphic images and then add colour. Along with the PS Sampler/hex., the following sites are convenient and valuable while working within an image:

<http://www.colorschemer.com/online.html>

< http://h40099.bbn-stage.europe.hp.com/country/me/eng/color/a rt_hp_colour_wheel.html>

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