Colour has an immense impact on our perceptions in this world. Many things can be perceived as attractive because of their Colours or Colour combination. Colour harmony plays an extremely prominent role in how objects and structures are created and designed, be it in architecture, art, advertising, graphic design and web design.

Using effective colour selection requires a strong knowledge in colour theory. The principles behind colour and the impact they can have on a target market are powerful tools for any designer who has the skill to harmonise colours for the intended result. Here are some essential tips to consider:

Understanding Complementary Colours

Complementary colours are colour pairs that are usually opposite to each other in the Colour Wheel. According to colour theory, a simple test to see if two colours are complementary is to mix them up. If they produce a neutral colour such as gray, white or black when mixed in proper proportions, they are likely to be complementary. However, the easiest way to identify complementary colours is to look at a typical Colour Wheel, colours opposite each other are considered complementary.

Colour interacts with the eye in various ways to create different effects. For example, there is another easy way to determine complementary colours. You just need to look closely at a single colour for a couple of minutes or so. Then shut your eyes for a moment and then slowly open them and focus on a white background. You should be able to see the complementary colour of the one that you stared at a moment ago.

Splitting Complements

When using three colours for a design project, using split complements may create a strong impact on your target market. This can be done by using a colour wheel and then choosing a hue that complements the chosen colour. Then, move one or three shades on each side to get the split complement of the chosen colour. Using split complements can often create a more pleasing effect than a direct complementary colour format.

Harmonising Four Colours

When using four colours, the colour wheel may also prove particularly useful in selecting colour combinations which are in harmony with each other. First, find the complement of a chosen colour on the colour wheel and draw a line between them. Make another line perpendicular to the first one, creating a cross. The colours at the end of the second line would give you another set of complements related to your previous chosen colour. You can use one of the four colours as your main theme and use the other three to enhance it.  For added variety, you can use darker or lighter shades of the four complementary colour pairs, in addition to the main colour theme.