Power of-the-palette

power of the palette

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

WE BELIEVE

•photos matter most — it’s a picture book

•design is just a way of organizing content

• color is the “icing” on the yearbook cupcake


A FEW TERMSA color palette is a specific set of colors selected for use in a design as a way to create unity.

In InDesign, you can load the colors into your Swatches palette.

In Photoshop, you can enter CMYK or RGB numbers in theColor Picker.


used with permission from www.paper-leaf.com


http://www.paper-leaf.com

http://www.paper-leaf.com

A CRITICAL DECISION

• factor color into your theme/concept decisions

• color has tone/attitude — do yours match?

• the cover will play a role in introducing your palette


power by planning

• this is a divider slide only


START SIMPLE

if you createyour own set of colors,

try a set provided

by your printing company

understand the risks

for best results,


TO CREATE UNITY

Based on the colors inthe dominant photo, pulled color creates visual unityby using only tints or variations of that color throughout the spread.


MONOCHROMATIC

A monochromaticcolor strategy involves selecting one colorand using only tints or variations of that color throughout the spread.


COLOR PAIRS

Another commoncolor strategy involves selecting two colors(usually determined by repeating colors in the spread’s photos).


TO CREATE CONTRAST

A complementarycolor strategy involves selecting a distinctly different color(usually opposite on the color wheel) to create tension or contraston the spread.


ANALOGOUS COLORS

An analogous strategy creates color harmonyby using two or three colors next to each other on the color wheel.


FOR SEASONAL COVERAGE

To unify spreadsin chronological sections from each season, repeating the color strategy from one spreadto the next can create a feeling of continuity.


FOR SECTIONAL COVERAGE

Based on theme pages,color choice may indicate content typeor coverage angle — or it may relate to a specific conceptual elementper section.


BASED ON SCHOOL COLORS

Sports photos followa predictable pattern based on uniforms, so using school colorsin new variationsis a key componentof the color strategy.


KNOW YOUR READERS

Gathering reader inputfrom polls, surveysand focus groupshelps ensure that the book’s color stylereflects readers’ wants and needs.


power by pop

• this is a divider slide only


power by push

• clash colors for unexpected


START TO FINISH

• start with a style or attitude (identity)

• if you find an existing set, imitate it

• test colors with black and white

• teach the staff how to use the palette (guidelines)


ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

• to direct eyeflow

• to unify

• to separate

• to enhance readability

•but never to decorate


ONLINE RESOURCES

• http://www.colourlovers.com/palettes

• http://kuler.adobe.com

•www.pantone.com

• http://www.degraeve.com/color-palette


http://www.colourlovers.com/palettes

http://www.colourlovers.com/palettes

http://kuler.adobe.com/

http://kuler.adobe.com/

http://www.pantone.com

http://www.pantone.com

http://www.degraeve.com/color-palette

http://www.degraeve.com/color-palette

PRINT RESOURCES

local bookstores, art shops


CONTACT US

•Casey Nichols | [email protected]

•Sarah Nichols | [email protected] me @sarahjnichols


Power of-the-palette

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