What are the best color theory techniques for creating harmonious 2D graphics?

2 The color temperature

The color temperature refers to how warm or cool a color is perceived to be. Warm colors are those that have red, orange, or yellow hues, and they evoke feelings of energy, excitement, or passion. Cool colors are those that have blue, green, or purple hues, and they evoke feelings of calmness, relaxation, or mystery. You can use color temperature to create contrast, mood, and depth in your 2D graphics. For example, you can use warm colors for the foreground elements and cool colors for the background elements to create a sense of distance and perspective.

3 The color value

The color value is the relative lightness or darkness of a color. It is also known as the tone or the shade of a color. You can create different values of a color by adding white, black, or gray to it. The value of a color affects its visibility, contrast, and emphasis in your 2D graphics. For example, you can use a high-value color (a light color) to draw attention to a focal point or a low-value color (a dark color) to create a shadow or a silhouette.

4 The color saturation

The color saturation is the intensity or purity of a color. It is also known as the chroma or the hue of a color. You can create different saturations of a color by adding or subtracting gray to it. The saturation of a color affects its vibrancy, mood, and harmony in your 2D graphics. For example, you can use a high-saturation color (a bright color) to create excitement, energy, or drama or a low-saturation color (a dull color) to create subtlety, elegance, or realism.

5 The color harmony

The color harmony is the pleasing and balanced arrangement of colors in your 2D graphics. It is achieved by using colors that are related or compatible with each other according to the color wheel, the color temperature, the color value, and the color saturation. The color harmony helps you create 2D graphics that are visually appealing, coherent, and expressive. For example, you can use a monochromatic harmony (using different values and saturations of one color) to create simplicity, consistency, or sophistication or a split-complementary harmony (using a base color and two colors adjacent to its complement) to create contrast, diversity, or interest.

6 The color psychology

The color psychology is the study of how colors affect human emotions, perceptions, and behaviors. It is based on the idea that different colors have different meanings and associations that can influence how people respond to your 2D graphics. The color psychology can help you choose colors that match your purpose, message, and audience. For example, you can use red to convey passion, urgency, or danger or blue to convey trust, calmness, or professionalism.