Principles Of Power Point Design- The Ways Of Color

PowerPoint DesignPrinciples of

Tips on how to think like a designer

John FallonPresentation Skills Consultant

The Ways of Color

How Colors Speak… Loud, Bold, Strong

These colors shout. All these colors make a big impact. Used on billboards, commercials, advertising and posters, they send messages loud and fast. Most people begin their color thinking here, where color is at its purest. Even though the visual differences may be slight, subtle gradations help create blends.

How Colors Speak… Basic Middle Tones

These colors speak in normal, conversational tones. Midrange colors work well for everyday use. When you’ve chosen your full-strength colors, these middle colors are the next place to look. These hues convey the same feelings as strong colors but less intense. Try to develop a mental image of 50% value, fixing it in your memory, so as to explore both the stronger and paler values.

How Colors Speak… Soft, Gentle, Pastel

These colors whisper. Life’s most important communiqués are said in low voice. You often tend to give your full attention to a soft-spoken messenger. In any spoken language, a whisper can be very effective. Though the palest tints may be difficult to see alone, they are essential to any artists palette.

About the Color Wheel

Hues(true color)

Tints (percentage of white added to a hue)

Shades (percentage of black added to a hue)

Color

• Color is crucial• Communicates type of presentation• Color is divided into 4 parts:– Reds– Yellow– Green– Blues

Warm or Cool

MauveMagentaCrimsonScarletPoster Red

CoralOrangeAmberGoldYellow

CyanSky BlueUltramarineVioletPurple

LimeLeaf GreenSea GreenEmeraldTeal

Right Brain Colors Left Brain Colors

Warm Colors Excite the Eyes Cool Colors Soothe the Senses

Overview of the Reds…

• All of the reds attract attention, charge the emotions and urge action

• The life force of blood that flows through our bodies comes in a variety of reds, making these the most personal of colors and the most important to artists

• Reds consist of: Mauve, Magenta, Crimson, Scarlet and Poster Red

Overview of the Yellows…

• Fire, excitement, warmth, energy and imagination are the essence of these hues, making them essential in any artists palette

• The yellows are also associated with intangible concepts and the spirit that harmonizes one’s energy and balance in the world

• Yellows include: Coral, Orange, Amber, Gold and Yellow

Overview of the Greens…

• Consider green as a primary color of the palette

• Use more greens to put life in your color schemes… all different hues

• Each has a different flavor by itself and when used in combination with other colors

• Greens include: Lime, Leaf Green, Sea Green, Emerald and Teal

Overview of the Blues…

• The most common sense, practical hues of the spectrum begin with Cyan, the color of science and high technology and go through Purple, the grand sovereign

• Blues are logical reasonable and fair• Blues seldom evoke negative responses• Blues include: Cyan, Sky Blue,

Ultramarine, Violet and Purple

Creating Palettes… MonochromaticUsing variations of the same color will create a striking palette. Add black, white and shades of gray to create contrast. Select colors with a wide range of tints and shades.

Earthy

R 72 101 144

G 107 141 193

B 28 43 62

Strong

R 72 101 144

G 107 141 193

B 28 43 62

Creating Palettes… AnalogousSelecting colors that are touching creates a narrow, harmonious color scheme. This color scheme provides a warm or cool feeling depending upon where they fall on the wheel.

Powerful

R 136 196 198

G 20 22 68

B 119 28 31

Calm

R 0 0 136

G 172 175 198

B 179 113 91

Creating Palettes… ComplementarySelecting colors from opposites on the color wheel creates the most contrast. Limit to only two colors but don’t allow them to clash.

Athletic

R 202 0

G 108 84

B 24 150

Feminine

R 191 188

G 86 211

B 139 87

Creating Palettes… Split Complementary

A variation of complementary, the split complementary uses two colors on either side of a complementary color. This combination has high contrast with low tension.

Regal

R 84 206 92

G 39 138 160

B 133 20 56

Retro

R 47 241 246

G 179 86 150

B 202 79 84

Creating Palettes… TriadicThree colors equally spaced around the color wheel create vivid interest. This can be modified by using a light tint or a dark shade of one of the three colors instead of the pure hue. Palettes created can either be bold or refined.

Inviting

R 0 123 206

G 124 10 128

B 128 107 20

Playful

R 13 208 252

G 124 63 238

B 193 65 33

Creating Palettes… TetradicTetradic offers visual contrast. It uses two airs of complementary colors. Pick a dominate color and use the three remaining colors for support.

Spirited

R 0 127 138 202

G 82 125 13 103

B 149 55 16 32

Healthy

R 103 144 199 192

G 163 193 77 104

B 189 62 31 138

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

% Black added for shade

% White added for tint

Mauve- Violet Red

Related Hue- Coral…Opposing Hue- Lime

Psychology:Bold

StylishWorldly

Impressive Somber



Magenta- Process Red

Related Hue- Orange…Opposing Hue- Leaf Green

Psychology:Romantic

Enchanting Sensitive

Optimistic

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90



Crimson- Carmine

Related Hue- Amber…Opposing Hue- Sea Green

Psychology:Powerful

AggressiveDynamicDramatic

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90



Scarlet- Apple Red

Related Hue- Gold…Opposing Hue-Emerald

Psychology:Bright

BelievableVivid

PositiveEffective

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90



Poster Red- Banner Red

Related Hue- Yellow…Opposing Hue- Teal

Psychology:Popular

DangerousExciting

Loud

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90



Coral- Red Orange

Related Hue- Mauve…Opposing Hue- Cyan

Psychology:WildFiery

PassionateGloriousExplosive

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90



Orange- Vermilion

Related Hue- Magenta…Opposing Hue- Sky Blue

Psychology:Tangy

TemptingLivelyZestyTart

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90



Amber- Yellow Gold

Related Hue- Crimson…Opposing Hue- Ultramarine

Psychology:Mellow

AbundantFertile

ProsperousContented

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90



Gold- Warm Yellow

Related Hue- Scarlet…Opposing Hue- Violet

Psychology:JoyfulSunnyRich

LavishUncertain

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90



Yellow- Process Yellow

Related Hue- Poster Red…Opposing Hue- Purple

Psychology:ExcitingInspiring

SourAnxiousSharp

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90



Lime- Yellow Green

Related Hue- Cyan…Opposing Hue- Mauve

Psychology:YoungFreshNaïveSharpLivelyClean

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90



Leaf Green- Basic Green

Related Hue- Sky Blue…Opposing Hue- Magenta

Psychology:Natural

DependableSafe

SecureHealthy

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90



Sea Green- Blue Green

Related Hue- Ultramarine…Opposing Hue- Crimson

Psychology:MatureStrongUrbaneMovingRestless

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90



Emerald- Viridian

Related Hue- Violet…Opposing Hue- Scarlet

Psychology:Brilliant

BeautifulExpensive

WiseEternal

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90



Teal- Turquoise

Related Hue- Purple…Opposing Hue- Poster Red

Psychology:PrimitiveIntuitiveAncient

AestheticSharp

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90



Cyan- Process Blue

Related Hue- Lime…Opposing Hue- Coral

Psychology:SharpCleanColdHard

AnalyticalIntelligent

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90



Sky Blue- Azure

Related Hue- Leaf Green…Opposing Hue- Orange

Psychology:True

HonestGoodCalmClean

Peaceful

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90



Ultramarine- Royal Blue

Related Hue- Sea Green…Opposing Hue- Amber

Psychology:Fabulous

CompassionateStatelyMovingSoulful

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90



Violet- Indigo

Related Hue- Scarlet…Opposing Hue- Gold

Psychology:MoodySerious

ThoughtfulQuiet

Reflective

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90



Purple- Red Violet

Related Hue- Teal…Opposing Hue- Yellow

Psychology:GrandRegal

LeaderSuperiorMajestic

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Black, White and Grays

• The achromatic hues black and white, are used to add shape, shadow, depth, and detail

• Black produces shades of gray• Colors are the first dimension, tints are the

second• Blacks and grays are the third dimension• Black makes colors brighter• Grays increase the contrast between colors

Here come the Browns…

• Most difficult color to reproduce• Brown is based from Orange• Used for “Earthy” feels

Black

• Formal• Doesn’t influence

ambient lighting• Doesn’t work well for

handouts• Fewer opportunities for

shadows• For Large venues• Objects can glow

White

• Informal• Has a bright feeling• Illuminates the room• Works well for handouts• For smaller venues• No opportunity for

dramatic lighting or spotlights on elements

Choosing Your Colors

• Determine your background color• Make sure the colors you choose contrast with

the background color

Light room?

Light background, Dark text

Dark room?

Dark background, Light text

Ambient light?Great projector?Med. background, light and dark text

Creating Your Palette

• Select 3 to 5 core colors plus a neutral and highlight color

• Experiment with tint and shade• Neutral colors often serve as background

elements• Neutrals can also be used in data charts and

diagrams as secondary information• Neutrals can be shades or tints of the

background color

Creating Your Palette

• Highlight accentuates text and create emphasis in charts and infographics

• When you’ve selected your palette, choose light and dark tones of the color set (this will help select the degree of gradients)

Last Minute Tips About Color…

• Use “cool” colors for backgrounds and / or foreground elements

• Use “hot” colors for foreground elements• If you use a “hot” color as a background color,

reduce the saturation by adding more gray so it doesn’t appear so “hot”

• Don’t use an all white background for a presentation

• Test the presentation on the screen that you’ll use


• Avoid using the combination of red and green… many are color blind to this combination

• Don’t use RED in a financial presentation unless showing data

• True colors are determined by either the computer screen or the projector you use

• Focus color schemes on the presentation objective• Make sure the color scheme will appeal to your

audience


• Fit the color scheme to the corporate image• Keep your palette to no more than 5 colors• Create your own color scheme• Use complementary colors- colors on the opposite

side of the color wheel• Use a color wheel to choose your colors• Match color to your message• The best contrast is light text on a dark background• Use a dark text on a light background

For More Information and Tools…

• Slide:ology by Nancy Duarte• Color Bytes by Jean Bourges• The Designer’s Guide to Color Combinations by

Leslie Cabarga• Pixie by Nattyware… a free eyedropper tool at:

www.nattyware.com• Color Cop by Jay Prall… another free eyedropper

tool at: http://colorcop.net• Kuler by Adobe… an online color picker at:

http://kuler.adobe.com

http://www.nattyware.com/

http://colorcop.net/

http://kuler.adobe.com/

Principles Of Power Point Design- The Ways Of Color

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