Colours carry different meanings than just decorations that appeal to the eye. In the world of design, they are almost like magic tools with the power to mobilise emotions and give personality to spaces. Being able to use this power skilfully is an art that every designer should acquire.
Colour Tones and Shades: Effective Use in Design” guide, we will explore this mysterious world of colours under four main elements: hues, tones, shades, shadows and tonal differences. You will learn step by step which tones to choose in your designs, how to harmonise them with shades and highlights, and how to create fascinating visual effects in the process.
Whether you’re designing an interior or working on a digital platform, understanding the language of colour will put you one step ahead of your competitors. Are you ready to step into the magical world of colours and shadows and leave unforgettable marks on your designs? We are here to guide you on this journey.
What would a creative design be without colour and shadow? These two are like the salt and pepper of design. They can take something ordinary and turn it into something completely different.
Power of Colours in Design
Warm Tones
Red, orange, yellow… They are full of energy! You can use these shades in appetising kitchens, dynamic sportswear, attention-grabbing advertisements and many other places.
Light red: Creates a vibrant and energetic environment, often used in food products and fast-food style places to attract attention.
Dark red: Offers a more sophisticated and deeper feel. It is preferred for products that are expensive and related to personal relationships.
Bright orange: Cheerful and inviting, ideal for adding a warm atmosphere. It can often be found in the catering industry.
Dark orange: Creates a more relaxing and elegant effect.
Vibrant yellow: Known for its focal and engaging properties. It is preferred for warnings, attention-grabbing texts.
Golden yellow: It leaves a luxurious and rich impression.
Cold Tones
Blue, green, purple… Calm and reliable. It is preferred in sectors such as banking, health, security.
Blue: It represents calmness and coolness. We can also say that it is the colour of loyalty and reliability.
Green: It represents nature and freshness. It is known for its environmentalist and peaceful properties and has been found in researches to help reduce eye fatigue.
Purple: It expresses nobility and luxury. It attracts attention with its spiritual and mystical features. It is a colour that evokes mystery.
Turquoise: It evokes clear waters and tropical seas. It gives a feeling of freshness and youth. It gives calmness and calms. Therefore, it is preferred in hospitals.
Neutral Tones
Black, white, grey… Balance and modernity. It is seen to be preferred in luxury brands, minimalist interiors, prominent visuals. Neutral tones can be easily used in all kinds of designs. It is especially preferred by architects.
White: It gives a feeling of cleanliness and spaciousness and represents purity. It makes the spaces look wider and brighter. It can be preferred in areas such as wall paint, basic clothing pieces, home textiles.
Grey: Provides a modern and stylish look, easily combined with other colours. It is used in areas such as office decoration, work clothes, technological products.
Black: Symbolises power and sophistication, creates the perception of weakness when used in textiles. It creates the perception of luxury when used in industry. It can be preferred to create contrast in interior designs.
Shades
Shadows are an important element that adds dimension and depth to your digital and printed designs, as well as providing visual appeal. Shadows convey to the viewer how light is refracted on an object and the relationship of that object with its surroundings. This impression adds realism and richness to the design.
Shadows emphasise the form and texture of an object, adding a sense of three dimensions to the design. For example, while drawing an apple can be done with a simple circle and red paint, adding shadows depicts the roundness and volume of the apple. This allows the audience to perceive the apple more realistically and increase their appreciation.
Light Source and Shadow Casting
The shadow is shaped according to where the light source is. The higher the light source, the shorter and sharper the shadow; when the light source is low, the shadows become longer and more ambiguous. In design, correctly adjusting the light source and the direction of the shadow accurately conveys the proximity-distance relationships and depth between objects.
Shadow Toning
The tone and intensity of the shadow is very important in drawings and digital designs. Under a strong light source, the shadow is darker and more distinct, whereas in diffuse light, shadows are lighter and spread over a wider area. The colour of the shadow is often influenced by the colour of the object; for example, the shadow of a red apple may have a slight reddish tint.
Visual Illusions and the Use of Shadow
It is possible to create visual illusions by playing with shadows. For example, by using a shadow on a wall, you can give the impression that there is actually a ledge there. Such techniques are particularly favoured in stage design and interior decoration.
Dynamics and Motion Effect
Shadows can add dynamism and movement to a design. Designing the shadow of an object as if it were in motion makes it appear to move, even in a static image. This technique is particularly used in animation and digital arts.
Shadows affect not only the aesthetics of the design, but also its meaning and the speed at which the feeling is conveyed. Therefore, the use of light and shadow is one of the most effective materials of design. By using shadows, every designer can bring their works to life and trigger strong emotional triggers on the viewers. By skilfully using shadows, you can leave a unique and unforgettable effect on your designs.
Colour and Shadow Everywhere
It sets the mood in interiors, reflects style in fashion, expresses the brand in graphic design, improves the user experience in web design… In short, there is no design without colour, tone and shadow!
Colour, tone and shadow are the biggest weapons of designers. By using these magical elements effectively, you can create unforgettable works. Free your creativity and get lost in the dance of colours and shadows!