Learn how to choose, combine, and organize colors in a creative project to convey emotions, enhance a mood, and tell a story with greater intent There are creative decisions that the audience perceives even before they pay attention to an illustration, a photograph, or a poster. Color is one of them. An image can convey calm, unease, nostalgia, or energy in a matter of seconds—long before we stop to analyze its composition or content. That’s why choosing a color palette shouldn’t be limited to simply combining shades that are pleasing to the eye. Colors also build meaning: they help define a project’s personality, distinguish characters or spaces, accompany the evolution of a story, and guide the viewer’s gaze toward what truly matters. However, it’s common to start the creative process by opening a color tool and testing random combinations. The result may be an attractive palette, but one that’s disconnected from the project’s intent. In this article, you’ll discover how to create color palettes with narrative meaning, learning to make more conscious color choices. We’ll explore what questions to ask yourself before choosing a single shade, how to build a palette step by step, and how to use color to reinforce the story you want to tell—whether in an illustration, a visual identity, a photograph, or an audiovisual piece.
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Heidelberg, Germany
A course by Jessica Janik
Illustration
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