COLOR WHEEL

Objective:

We see around us the importance of color in daily life; how people have strong feelings about color; how useful color can be and how we must consider other people's preferences when choosing color for specific products and/or markets.

But how do you actually choose, is it just personal taste or being told what to do? There are some very simple guidelines we can use when choosing colors. However using the colors well is just as important as choosing the right ones in the first place.

 

Appropriate use of color:

....TO PRODUCT

To assess how appropriate a color is in relation to product function questions need to be asked concerning both the choice and quality of the color used. Companies spend millions of dollars on researching the right color to launch a new product into market.

....TO MARKET

Men                            Products for men tend to use strong and/or sark colors including black. These can often be accented with a complementary color, particularly for a younger market.

Women                       Products for women tend to use soft colors for both older and younger markets. However younger markets will also tend to like bold and ethnic choices too.

Childern                      Products for both boys and girls are usually in bright colors. The 3 primary colors are often used together for children's goods. Soft, pretty colors will be used for girls also.

....TO RESPONSE

Now we an look at whether the colors used are creating an appropriate response to a product or service on offer. Part of this response is to color balance.

Balance                       When using more than one color on a product, or in a range, it is important to ensure that the colors are balanced. this is done by first of all considering color values before actual colors.

Methodology:

A system of board prinipals or rules from which specefic mothods or producers may derive to interpret or solve different problems within the scope of a particular discipline. Unlike an algorithm, methodology in not a formula, but it is series of practices performed to attain a desired result.

Here are some of the practices which can be performed to get a desired and safe result:

Thinking:

·                     What does the user need and why?

·                     What does the buyer need and why?

·                     What does the craft worker need and why?

·                     What does the business need and why?

Making:

·                     What should the product do and how well?

·                     How should the product look?

·                     What are the raw materials and production details?

·                     How will the product be packaged, packed and delivered?

Evaluating:

·                     Cost - financial, environmental & social?

·                     Durability - how long will the product last in terms of quality, fashion, etc.?

Versatility - how well does the product fit in with others, i.e. does it complement a range, how easily could it be adapted to form another item - by shape, material, use?