Introduction to Color Theory for Visual Communication
A course by Sean Adams , Graphic Designer
Unlock the secrets of color in visual arts with expert Sean Adams. Explore, experiment, and express boldly in our color theory course.
‘There is no such thing as too bright’, is a lesson graphic designer Sean Adams has been teaching since 1992. When it comes to using color, he maintains that it is important to know what the rules are, and also when to break them. He opened AdamMorioka in the early nineties, at a time when design was focused on heavy layering, and dark colors. His unique approach, rooted in purity, simplicity, concepts with emotional resonance, and bold colors, gained him significant media attention. Adams has collaborated with the likes of Nickelodeon, Disney XD, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Sundance Film Festival, Gap, Old Navy, UCLA, and many others. He is the Chair of Undergraduate and Graduate Graphic Design at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California.
In this online course, deepen your knowledge of color and learn how to use it in a way that enhances your message and catches audiences. Explore different properties of color, cultural and temporal meanings and how you can create a good palette. Then, Sean guides you through your poster design, from start to finish.
What will you learn in this online course?
15 lessons & 35 downloads
- 99% positive reviews (90)
- 6,345 students
- 15 lessons (2h 26m)
- 35 additional resources (14 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English, Spanish (Latam), French, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
Recommended software & tools for this course
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe InDesign
Adobe PhotoshopWhat is this course's project?
Three different film festival posters designed by you.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone looking to expand their knowledge in typography, color and composition to elevate their design skills
Requirements and materials
A digital or mobile phone camera, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and a printer
Reviews
Sean Adams
A course by Sean Adams
Sean Adams is an internationally recognized graphic designer and the Chair of Undergraduate and Graduate Graphic Design at ArtCenter College of Design. He has written multiple best-selling books that have been published in multiple languages, including [i]The Designer’s Dictionary of Color [i] and [i] How Design Makes Us Think [i]. He has lectured about color theory and design since 1992 in his native United States, and in Canada, Mexico, England and Argentina. He has been an on-air author at LinkedIn Learning for over a decade with courses about concept, composition, branding, and history. He has collaborated with numerous brands and companies, including Nickelodeon, Disney XD, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Sundance Film Festival, Gap, Old Navy, UCLA, and many others.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
Covering Color
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What is Color, and Why Does it Matter?
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Color Properties and Theory
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Color, Culture, and Meaning
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Color Palettes
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U3
Design Development & Concept Creation
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Research & Reference Material
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Sketching Concepts
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Design Development and Color
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U4
Refinement
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Color Refinement
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Context
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Applications and Technical Issues
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U5
Presentation and Portfolio
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Presenting the Work
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Organizing and Presenting Your Work in a Portfolio
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Make your project
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FP
Final project
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Introduction to Color Theory for Visual Communication
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate-level designers who want to deepen their understanding of color palettes, color theory, and their application in visual communication and branding projects.
You should have a basic understanding of design principles and some experience with visual design tools. Familiarity with Photoshop, Illustrator, or similar software is helpful but not required.
You will learn systematic methods for creating, refining, and managing custom color palettes, including how to apply them across different media and branding projects for maximum impact.
Yes, the course teaches how to select and justify brand colors, match Pantone to print, and apply color theory to branding and logo projects for consistent visual identity.
Absolutely. The course explores how to use color to evoke emotional responses, convey meaning, and enhance storytelling in posters, logos, and other visual materials.
Yes, you'll work on practical projects such as designing film festival posters, newsletters, and school letterheads, applying color palettes and layout techniques throughout.
Yes, you'll learn to differentiate between Pantone, RGB, and CMYK color systems and how to use them for digital, print, and branding applications.
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Photoshop
This course is perfect for complete beginners like me who are just starting to learn about color theory. I really enjoyed the introduction to the author's inspiration, and the theoretical content was presented in an easy-to-understand, simple yet engaging way.
Bien.
Sean Adams es un master, muy recomendable.
Nice and detailed course from a highly knowledgeable and experienced instructor!
I love it ! It's so awesome