Learn effective and essential methods to help you to develop a greater skill for working with colour. You’ll be able to design more effectively and speed up the process from brief to design implementation.

If you’re a designer or student wanting to improve your knowledge and gain a thorough understanding of how to design colour palettes – this course is tailor-made for you!

It provides a straightforward set of techniques that once mastered, will help you to develop a greater skill for coordinating colours in design. You’ll be able to work more effectively streamlining the journey from initial brief to final implementation.

Colour Essentials breaks free from traditional colour theory based on the colour wheel. Instead, you’ll be learning a simplified approach to understanding colour, focusing on the subtle variations within each hue. These nuances can not only transform the visual appeal of your designs but also influence how we emotionally perceive those colours, triggering either positive or negative responses.

This course will provide you with a flexible framework, empowering you to create seamlessly harmonious and impactful colour palettes. There are practice activities throughout the course to help you master the art of crafting designs that are not only visually pleasing, but also have the ability to evoke a positive emotional response.

Create colour combinations with confidence!

What we’ll cover:

Module 01. Introduction

Introduction and overview with course author, designer and colour consultant expert Bernay Laity

Module 02. Colour Terminology

In this section we will be learning about some of the different words and phrases used to describe the different aspects of colour and its characteristics. This will be an important foundation for you to have a ‘language’ to describe what you see, and to be able to communicate with other designers or your clients.

Module 03. Cool and Warm Colours

The nuances between different colours are often very subtle, yet can completely change the impact of a design. In this section we’ll be learning how to identify this first characteristic of colour, which will help to build your skills for confidently selecting colours for your design projects.

What is meant by cool and warm colours?
How to tell the difference between them
Interactive practice activities

Module 04. Muted and Clear Colours

In this section we’ll be learning how to identify this second characteristic of colour, which will help to build your skills for confidently selecting colours for your design projects.

What is meant by muted and clear colours?
How to tell the difference between them
Interactive practice activities

Module 05. Colour Groups

Colour characteristics like warm, cool, clear, and muted can be divided into four distinct groups. Colours within the same group share those similar characteristics.

This reveals how combining colours can either create harmony or disharmony based on whether they share similar characteristics within their group, and highlights the idea that "colour harmony" is a potent tool for designers, impacting both visual and emotional aspects.

How do harmonious colours affect us?
What happens when colours are not in harmony?

Module 06. Classifying Colours into Four Harmonising Groups

In the final module of this course, you'll gain proficiency in categorising colours into their respective groups. This module will provide you with opportunities to apply and refine your colour classification skills through engaging practical challenges and ultimately build your confidence for coordinating colour schemes.

How to select ‘absolute’ colours for easier colour classification
Clear guidelines and bonus tips
Practice activities

How you will benefit:

Enhance Your Colour Communication Skills: Gain the knowledge and vocabulary to articulate the nuances of colour confidently, enabling you to communicate your colour concepts effectively.
Improve your Colour Recognition: Develop the ability to distinguish the different characteristics between colours increasing proficiency in choosing colours for design.
Practice Your Colour Coordination Skills: Empowering you to effortlessly create harmonious and appealing colour schemes.
Boost Your Design Confidence: Through a deeper understanding of the different attributes of colour and practical application, you'll become more self-assured in your colour design choices.

What are the requirements or prerequisites for taking your course?

No previous knowledge of colour theory or experience of working with colour needed. This course will provide you with a great foundation for working with colour!

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for professionals working with colour including interior, web, graphic and e-learning designers, branding and marketing consultants and design students

Materials Required

Collect several paint colour cards from your local DIY decorating supplier. These are usually free! If you are a designer, you may already have an NCS Colour Atlas or Pantone Color Guides you can use for reference.
(Minimum) 2 pieces of foam or card mountboard minimum A4 size.
Some old or used magazines that you’re happy to cut up!

Pallavi Gohain

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