Chapter 5: Colour Theory
Introduction
Color theory is an essential element in content creation and graphic design. It plays a critical
role in influencing emotions, drawing attention, and encouraging viewer engagement.
Mastering color combinations can enhance the aesthetic appeal of thumbnails, banners,
posts, and other visual assets, making them more engaging and impactful.
Rules and Practices of Colors and Their Combinations
1. Psychological Impact of Colors
Colors evoke specific emotional and psychological responses. Studies suggest that
60-90% of subconscious judgments about a product or content are based on color.
Using the right color combinations can increase viewer retention, create emotional
connections, and guide user behavior effectively.
2. Key Color Harmony Rules
Each color scheme serves a unique purpose in content creation:
○ Monochromatic
■ Definition: Variations of a single color (shades, tints, and tones).
■ Psychological Impact: Creates harmony, calmness, and focus.
■ Example: Shades of blue for mindfulness or wellness content evoke
trust and tranquility, commonly used by apps like Calm and
Headspace.
○ Analogous
■ Definition: Colors adjacent on the color wheel (e.g., red, orange,
yellow).
■ Psychological Impact: Produces a cohesive and warm design.
■ Example: Travel influencers highlighting India’s vibrant culture might
use red, orange, and yellow to evoke energy and excitement.
○ Complementary
■ Definition: Colors opposite each other on the wheel (e.g., red and
green).
■ Psychological Impact: Creates contrast and draws attention.
■ Example: Wedding-related content can feature red (passion) and
green (harmony) for bold, celebratory designs.
○ Triadic
■ Definition: Three evenly spaced colors on the wheel (e.g., red, yellow,
blue).
■ Psychological Impact: Balances visual contrast and energy.
■ Example: Educational content creators can use this scheme to
stimulate curiosity and excitement, ideal for thumbnails and learning
materials.
Practical Implementation of Colour Theory with Examples
1. Festival Content
○ Diwali: Use a complementary color scheme like yellow (light) and purple
(royalty) to evoke festivity and warmth. Research shows that such warm
colors boost engagement during festive seasons.
2. Food Content
○ Indian Cuisine: Utilize earthy tones like red, orange, and green to enhance
appetite and create visual interest. For instance, a cooking video thumbnail
featuring paneer tikka can use red (tikka), green (chutney), and yellow
(spices) for a vibrant appeal.
3. Health and Wellness Content
○ Ayurveda & Yoga: Monochromatic or analogous green schemes can evoke
peace and natural healing. Green is culturally significant in India, symbolizing
life and fertility, making it ideal for plant-based or eco-friendly content.
4. Tech Content
○ Modern and Professional: Cool colors like blue, gray, and black convey trust
and innovation. A blue-gray scheme in tech blogs or thumbnails enhances the
perception of credibility and intelligence.
5. Female Fashion and Beauty Content
○ Clothing and Makeup: Pink is associated with femininity, creativity, and
comfort. Using pink in makeup tutorials or fashion content highlights key
products and creates a nurturing connection with the audience.
By applying these principles, content creators can leverage color theory to evoke desired
emotions, establish strong brand identities, and make their content visually compelling
across various niches and platforms.
