From intuition to intention: how to build color palettes that communicate. Color is not an ornament. It is a silent language that communicates before the viewer reads a word or understands a shape. In graphic design, illustration, fashion, interior design or photography, the chromatic choice defines the atmosphere, conditions the emotion and guides the visual interpretation of any project. Even so, many color decisions are made intuitively or impulsively. Understanding the basic principles of colorimetry and learning how to build palettes with intention allows you to move from "colors that work" to colors that say something. In this article we explore how to think about color as a system, emotion and narrative. Color as a system, not as an isolated choice. A color palette is not a collection of pretty shades, but a chromatic system. Each color serves a function: some support, some contrast, some emphasize. When they are chosen in isolation, the result can be chaotic; when they are thought of as a whole, the design gains coherence. Colorimetry helps us understand these relationships. Concepts such as temperature (warm and cool colors), saturation, luminosity or contrast allow us to make more conscious decisions. For example, a palette with low saturation conveys calm and sophistication, while one with high contrasts generates energy and dynamism. Thinking of color as a system also implies accepting limits. Reducing the number of tones usually improves visual clarity and reinforces the identity of a project.
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Christchurch, New Zealand
