presentation about meaning of colours

Color Theory for Designers: The Meaning of Color

• By Allan Toterson
• Last updated September 25, 2024

Color plays a significant role in design, influencing how people feel and react to visuals. Understanding color theory is essential for designers, as it helps them create effective and appealing designs. This article explores the meaning of colors, their psychological impacts, and how to apply this knowledge in design projects.

Key Takeaways

• Color theory helps designers understand how colors affect emotions and perceptions.
• Warm colors like red and orange evoke energy and enthusiasm, while cool colors like blue and green promote calmness and trust.
• Neutral colors serve as a balance, with black representing power and white symbolizing purity.
• Color combinations can create different effects; complementary colors enhance each other, while analogous colors are harmonious.
• Cultural differences can change how colors are interpreted, so it’s essential to consider the audience when designing.

The Fundamentals of Color Psychology

Understanding color perception.

When I think about color, I realize it’s not just about what we see; it’s about how we feel. Colors can change our mood and influence our decisions. For example, when I see the color blue, I often feel calm and relaxed. This is because our brains connect colors with certain feelings and ideas.

The Role of Culture in Color Interpretation

Culture plays a huge part in how we understand colors. In some cultures, white represents purity, while in others, it can symbolize mourning. It’s fascinating how the same color can mean different things to different people. Here are a few examples:

• Red : Love in Western cultures, but can mean danger in others.
• Green : Growth in many places, but can also mean envy.
• Black : Elegance in fashion, but often associated with death.

Emotional Responses to Colors

Colors can trigger strong feelings. For instance, I often feel energized when I see bright colors like orange and yellow. Here’s a quick list of common emotional responses to colors:

• Red : Passion and excitement
• Blue : Trust and peace
• Yellow : Happiness and cheerfulness

Understanding these connections helps me make better design choices. By using color wisely, I can create designs that resonate with people and evoke the right feelings. This is why color psychology is so important in design. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about making an impact!

Warm Colors and Their Psychological Impact

When I think about warm colors, I immediately picture the vibrant hues of red, orange, and yellow. These colors are often associated with feelings of energy and excitement. Warm colors can really make a space feel alive! They remind us of things like fire, sunsets, and even autumn leaves. Here’s a closer look at how each of these colors impacts our emotions:

Red: Passion and Energy

Red is a powerful color. It’s often linked to strong emotions like passion and urgency. When I see red, I feel a rush of energy. This is why many fast-food restaurants use red in their logos—it grabs attention and encourages quick decisions.

Orange: Enthusiasm and Creativity

Orange is a fun and playful color. It combines the energy of red with the cheerfulness of yellow. I find that orange can spark creativity and enthusiasm. It’s a great choice for spaces where I want to feel inspired and active.

Yellow: Happiness and Optimism

Yellow is the color of sunshine! It brings a sense of happiness and warmth. Whenever I see yellow, it lifts my mood. However, it’s important to use yellow carefully, as too much can be overwhelming.

In summary, warm colors can evoke strong feelings and create a lively atmosphere. Here’s a quick table to summarize their impacts:

Using warm colors in design can help convey the right message and create the desired emotional response. So, when I’m designing, I always consider how these colors can influence the feelings of those who experience my work. Remember, the right color can make all the difference!

Cool Colors and Their Psychological Impact

Blue: trust and calm.

When I think of blue, I immediately feel a sense of calmness . This color is often linked to trust and reliability. Many companies, especially in tech and finance, use blue to create a feeling of security. It’s no wonder that blue is one of the most popular colors in branding!

Green: Growth and Harmony

Green is another cool color that represents growth and harmony. It reminds us of nature and health. When I see green, I often think of fresh starts and balance. This is why many brands in the health and wellness industry choose green in their designs.

Purple: Luxury and Spirituality

Purple is a color that stands for luxury and creativity. It has a rich history and is often associated with royalty. When I use purple in my designs, I aim to evoke feelings of elegance and mystery. It’s a great choice for brands that want to stand out and feel unique.

Summary Table of Cool Colors

In conclusion, cool colors like blue, green, and purple can have a powerful impact on how people feel about a brand. By understanding these effects, I can make better design choices that resonate with my audience.

The Influence of Neutral Colors

Neutral colors play a vital role in design. They often serve as the background, allowing other colors to shine. These colors can create a sophisticated look when used correctly.

Black: Power and Elegance

Black is a strong neutral color. It can represent power and elegance, but it can also feel heavy or dark if overused. Here are some key points about black:

• Powerful : Black can make a statement.
• Elegant : It adds a touch of class to designs.
• Versatile : Works well with almost any color.

White: Purity and Simplicity

White is often seen as a symbol of purity and simplicity. It provides a clean slate for other colors. Here’s why white is important:

• Clean : It helps designs feel fresh.
• Contrast : White can make other colors pop.
• Breathing Room : It gives space to your design elements.

Gray: Balance and Neutrality

Gray is a true neutral color that can balance out brighter colors. It’s often used as a secondary color. Here are some thoughts on gray:

• Calm : Gray can create a soothing effect.
• Flexible : It pairs well with many colors.
• Subtle : It can be used to tone down a design without overpowering it.

In summary, neutral colors like black, white, and gray are essential in design. They help create balance and can enhance the overall message of your work. By understanding their meanings, we can use them effectively to communicate our ideas. Remember, the context in which these colors are used can change their impact significantly. For instance, using black in a design can convey strength , while white can suggest freshness .

Color Combinations and Their Effects

When it comes to design, the way colors work together can change everything. Color combinations can enhance your message or even change its meaning. I’ve learned that experimenting with different color pairings is key to finding what works best. Here are some popular types of color combinations:

Complementary Colors

• These are colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel, like blue and orange. They create a strong contrast that can grab attention.

Analogous Colors

• These colors sit next to each other on the wheel, such as blue, blue-green, and green. They create a harmonious look that feels calm and pleasing.

Triadic Colors

• This scheme uses three colors that are evenly spaced on the wheel, like red, yellow, and blue. It offers a vibrant and balanced feel.

Using the right color combinations can really make your design stand out. I always keep in mind that colors can evoke different feelings and reactions. For example, warm colors like red and orange can create excitement, while cool colors like blue and green can bring a sense of calm.

In my experience, it’s important to think about the message you want to send with your colors. The right combination can reflect your brand’s personality and connect with your audience on a deeper level. Remember, colors can mean different things in different cultures, so always consider your audience when choosing your palette.

Experimenting with color combinations is not just fun; it’s essential for effective design. I encourage you to play around with different schemes to see what resonates best with your vision!

Applying Color Psychology in Design

Choosing the right color palette.

When I think about designing, one of the first things I consider is the color palette . Choosing the right colors can make or break a design . Here are some tips to help you pick:

• Know your audience : Different colors can mean different things to different people.
• Test combinations : Try out various color combinations to see what feels right.
• Stay consistent : Use colors that match your brand’s message and values.

Color in Branding

Color plays a huge role in branding. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about creating a feeling. For example:

• Red can show excitement or urgency, making it great for sales.
• Blue often represents trust, which is why many banks use it.
• Green is linked to nature and health, perfect for eco-friendly brands.

Color in User Interface Design

In user interface (UI) design, color can guide users and improve their experience. Here’s how:

• Use contrast : Make sure text stands out against the background.
• Highlight actions : Use bright colors for buttons to draw attention.
• Be mindful of accessibility : Consider color blindness and ensure everyone can use your design.

By understanding how colors affect emotions and perceptions, I can create designs that not only look good but also connect with people on a deeper level. This is the power of color psychology in design!

Cultural Variations in Color Psychology

Western vs. eastern color interpretations.

When I think about color, I realize that its meaning can change depending on where you are in the world. For example, in Western cultures, white is often linked to purity and weddings, while in many Eastern cultures, it symbolizes mourning and funerals. This shows how important it is to understand cultural context when using color in design.

Color Symbolism in Different Cultures

Here are some examples of how colors can mean different things in various cultures:

• Red : In China, it represents good luck and happiness, but in South Africa, it can symbolize mourning.
• Yellow : In Greece, it can be seen as a sign of sadness, while in other places, it often means joy and warmth.
• Blue : In many Western countries, blue is associated with trust and calmness, but in some Middle Eastern cultures, it can be linked to protection against evil spirits.

Adapting Designs for Global Audiences

When designing for a global audience, I always keep in mind that colors can evoke different feelings. Here are some tips to consider:

• Research the cultural meanings of colors in your target market.
• Test your designs with people from different backgrounds to see how they react.
• Be flexible and ready to adjust your color choices based on feedback.

Understanding these cultural variations helps me create designs that resonate with diverse audiences. It’s all about making sure my work is effective and respectful of different perspectives!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is color theory.

Color theory is a way to understand how colors work together and what feelings they create. It helps designers choose colors that look good and make people feel a certain way.

Why is color psychology important in design?

Color psychology is important because colors can influence how people feel and act. For example, red can make people feel excited, while blue can make them feel calm.

How do warm and cool colors affect emotions?

Warm colors like red and orange can make you feel energetic and happy. Cool colors like blue and green can make you feel relaxed and peaceful.

What are complementary colors?

Complementary colors are colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. When used together, they create a strong contrast and can make designs pop.

How can I choose the right colors for my project?

To choose the right colors, think about the feelings you want to create. You can also use color palettes or tools online to help you find good color combinations.

How do cultural differences affect color meanings?

Colors can mean different things in different cultures. For example, white is seen as pure in some cultures, while in others, it can be a color of mourning.

Allan Toterson

More stories.

AMD focuses on AI custom chips

What are Container Homes? Exploring Innovative Housing Solutions

Cloudflare unveils new AI tools for websites

From Contract Disputes to Business Litigation: The Power of a Civil Litigation Lawyer

Kelsey Hightower on Shifting Developer Roles

Cox sues R.I. over broadband plan

Comcast unveils Janus cloud core initiative

Pokémon Sleep now compatible with smartwatches

Color Symbolism: Understanding the Meaning Behind Different Colors

Color symbolism encompasses the use of colors as potent symbols in diverse cultures, arts, literature, and narratives. These colors carry varying meanings and associations, influenced by cultural contexts, individual experiences, and historical ties. For instance, red is often linked to passion and love, while blue invokes feelings of calm and trust.

Understanding color symbolism is vital across fields like design and marketing, as it allows creators to elicit specific emotions and convey deeper messages through the strategic use of color. Whether it’s the warmth of orange, the freshness of green, or the elegance of black, colors serve as a universal language of expression and meaning that resonates with people on a profound level.

Understanding Color Symbolism

Color symbolism is the use of color to represent cultural, emotional, or spiritual concepts. Understanding color symbolism can help us communicate more effectively, create more impactful designs, and gain insight into the subconscious mind.

Color Psychology

Color psychology is the study of how colors affect our emotions and behavior. Different colors can elicit different emotional responses and can even influence our decision-making. For example, red is often associated with passion, love, and excitement, while blue is associated with calmness, trust, and stability.

Color Meanings

Colors can have multiple meanings depending on the context and culture. For example, in Western cultures, white is often associated with purity and innocence, while in Eastern cultures, it can represent death and mourning. Similarly, yellow can represent happiness and optimism in some cultures, while in others, it can symbolize cowardice or betrayal.

To understand color symbolism, it’s important to consider the cultural and historical context of each color. For example, in ancient Egypt, blue was associated with the sky and the Nile River, while in Christianity, it represents divinity and heaven. Additionally, different industries and brands have their own color associations. For example, the color red is often used in the food industry to stimulate appetite, while green is used in the environmental industry to represent sustainability.

Colors and Their Associations

Colors are a powerful tool in communication, and their symbolism can vary widely between cultures. Below are some common associations with colors in Western culture.

Red: Passion and Power

Red is often associated with passion, love, and energy. It can also represent power, danger, and anger. In marketing, it is often used to grab attention and create a sense of urgency.

Blue: Calm and Trust

Blue is often associated with calmness, trust, and stability. It can also represent sadness or depression. In marketing, it is often used to create a sense of security and reliability.

Yellow: Joy and Energy

Yellow is often associated with happiness, joy, and energy. It can also represent caution or cowardice. In marketing, it is often used to create a sense of optimism and playfulness.

Black: Mystery and Evil

Black is often associated with mystery, sophistication, and elegance. It can also represent death, evil, or mourning. In marketing, it is often used to create a sense of luxury or exclusivity.

Green: Nature and Growth

Green is often associated with nature, growth, and freshness. It can also represent envy or greed. In marketing, it is often used to create a sense of health or eco-friendliness.

Orange: Enthusiasm and Fun

Orange is often associated with enthusiasm, creativity, and fun. It can also represent caution or warning. In marketing, it is often used to create a sense of excitement or playfulness.

White: Purity and Innocence

White is often associated with purity, innocence, and cleanliness. It can also represent emptiness or sterility. In marketing, it is often used to create a sense of simplicity or sophistication.

Purple: Royalty and Luxury

Purple is often associated with royalty, luxury, and wealth. It can also represent mystery or spirituality. In marketing, it is often used to create a sense of exclusivity or sophistication.

Pink: Love and Youth

Pink is often associated with love, romance, and youth. It can also represent femininity or sweetness. In marketing, it is often used to create a sense of playfulness or innocence.

Brown: Stability and Reliability

Brown is often associated with stability, reliability, and comfort. It can also represent dullness or dirtiness. In marketing, it is often used to create a sense of warmth or earthiness.

Gray: Neutrality and Balance

Gray is often associated with neutrality, balance, and sophistication. It can also represent boredom or depression. In marketing, it is often used to create a sense of professionalism or elegance.

Emotional Impact of Colors

Colors have a significant impact on our emotions and mood. They can evoke feelings of love, passion, calm, anger, happiness, joy, energy, purity, royalty, mystery, enthusiasm, optimism, and loyalty. In this section, we will explore how colors can affect our emotions and mood.

Evoke Emotions with Colors

Colors can evoke different emotions in people, depending on their cultural background, personal experiences, and individual preferences. For example, red is often associated with love and passion, while blue is associated with calm and serenity. Here are some common emotional associations with different colors:

Colors and Mood

Colors can also have a significant impact on our mood. For example, bright colors like yellow and orange can make us feel more energetic and optimistic, while dark colors like black and gray can make us feel more subdued and serious. Here are some common mood associations with different colors:

Color Symbolism in Different Cultures

Different cultures around the world have their own unique interpretations of color symbolism. While color meanings can be universal to some extent, their interpretations vary from culture to culture. In this section, we will explore the different interpretations of color symbolism in Western and Eastern cultures, as well as China.

Western Cultures

In Western cultures, colors often have specific meanings. Red is associated with love, passion, and excitement, but it can also represent anger and danger. Blue is often associated with calmness, stability, and wisdom, while yellow is associated with happiness and optimism. Green symbolizes growth and nature, while purple is often associated with luxury and royalty.

Eastern Cultures

In Eastern cultures, colors also have specific meanings. Red is often associated with good luck, happiness, and prosperity, while white is associated with purity and peace. Black is often associated with death and mourning, while yellow is associated with royalty and power. Green is associated with nature, and blue is often associated with healing and tranquility.

Color Symbolism in China

In China, color symbolism is deeply ingrained in the culture. Red is considered the luckiest color and is often used in celebrations and festivals. Yellow is associated with the emperor and is considered a symbol of power and royalty. White is associated with death and mourning, while black is associated with wealth and power. Green is associated with harmony and balance, while blue is associated with immortality and the heavens.

Color Symbolism in Life Events

Colors have been used to symbolize various emotions and events throughout history. From weddings to funerals, colors have played an important role in our lives. In this section, we will discuss how colors are used to symbolize life events.

Weddings and Color Symbolism

Weddings are one of the most important events in a person’s life. Colors play a significant role in this event, as they are used to symbolize different emotions and feelings. Here are some of the most commonly used colors in weddings and their symbolism:

Brides often wear white dresses to symbolize purity and innocence. Red is also a popular color for brides in some cultures, as it symbolizes passion and love. The bridesmaids’ dresses are usually in a color that complements the bride’s dress.

Color Symbolism in Mourning

Death is a sad and emotional event. Colors are used to symbolize mourning and grief in different cultures. Here are some of the most commonly used colors in mourning and their symbolism:

In many cultures, people wear black to funerals to symbolize mourning and grief. White is also a popular color in some cultures, as it symbolizes purity and peace. In some cultures, purple is also used to symbolize mourning, as it was once considered a royal color.

Color Symbolism in Design and Branding

Color plays a crucial role in design and branding. It is a powerful tool that can evoke emotions, convey messages, and influence perception. Understanding the meaning and symbolism of colors can help designers and brand managers make informed decisions about color selection.

Color in Design

In design, color can be used to express creativity, communicate ideas, and create visual interest. Different colors have different meanings and can evoke different emotions. For example, red is associated with passion and excitement, while blue is associated with calmness and trustworthiness.

Color can also be used to create contrast and hierarchy in design. By using bright colors against a neutral background, designers can draw attention to important elements and create visual interest. Conversely, by using muted colors, designers can create a more subtle and understated design.

Suggested Read: Fruit Fly Spiritual Meaning Symbolism

Color in Branding

In branding, color is used to create a visual identity and convey a brand’s personality. Different colors are associated with different traits and can evoke different emotions. For example, blue is often associated with trustworthiness and professionalism, while green is associated with growth and health.

Brand managers must carefully consider the meaning and symbolism of colors when selecting a color palette for their brand. By choosing the right colors, they can create a strong and memorable brand identity that resonates with their target audience.

Color can also be used to differentiate a brand from its competitors. By using a unique color palette, brands can stand out in a crowded marketplace and create a distinctive visual identity.

Color Symbolism in Nature

Colors in nature often carry symbolic meanings that have been developed over time and across cultures. From the sea to the sky, different colors can represent different ideas and emotions.

Color Symbolism of the Sea and Sky

The sea and sky are two of the most prominent features of nature, and their colors often carry symbolic meanings. Blue is the most common color associated with both the sea and sky, and it is often seen as representing calmness, stability, and depth. Green, on the other hand, is associated with growth, renewal, and life, and can be seen in the color of seaweed and algae. White is often associated with purity and innocence, and is seen in the color of waves and clouds.

Color Symbolism in Weather

Weather is another aspect of nature that is often associated with color symbolism. Rain, for example, is often seen as representing sadness or cleansing, and is associated with the color gray. Rust is a color that can be seen in nature, often on rocks or leaves, and is associated with decay and aging.

Latest posts

Animals that symbolize hope: a comprehensive list.

Numerous animals symbolize hope across diverse cultures and traditions, offering inspiration and positivity. Doves, for example, have long been a universal symbol of peace and hope, representing new beginnings and the prospect of a brighter future. In Greek mythology, fauns embody hope with their associations with fertility, abundance, and the renewal of life, reflecting their…

Fern Symbolism Meaning: Understanding the Significance of this Ancient Plant

Ferns hold diverse symbolic meanings rooted in various cultures and historical contexts. Some of the common symbolic interpretations associated with ferns include their connection to invisibility and secrecy, owing to their ancient origins and unique reproductive methods. In Victorian England, ferns were considered emblematic of magic and fascination, signifying the concealed and enigmatic. Ferns are…

Violet Color Meaning and Symbolism: Delicacy and Creativity Explained

Violet is a color of profound meaning and symbolism, encompassing a wide range of qualities and concepts. It is often associated with wisdom, sensitivity, and enlightenment, making it a symbol of spiritual fulfillment and growth. Violet’s essence encourages individuals to embrace learning and personal development. Creativity and imagination are also closely linked to violet, as…

Home Blog Design Color Theory for Presentations: A Detailed Guide for Non-Designers

Color Theory for Presentations: A Detailed Guide for Non-Designers

Color theory is a common conversation topic for graphic designers as its rules guide every aspect of a quality-crafted project. We can ask ourselves then: does color theory apply to presentation design? The short answer is: definitely yes.

To elevate the impact that your presentations can have, we designed this guide, intended to help people who are not necessarily knowledgeable in graphic design. We will cover in detail what color theory is, how different color schemes make a psychological effect on your target audience, recommended color schemes and pairings, and accessibility rules. Also, you can find two step-by-step examples in the final section on how to craft high-quality presentations by following these rules.

Table of Contents

Color properties and models

• On primary, Secondary, and Tertiary colors

Color temperature

Why do we use color theory, monochromatic, complementary, rectangle or tetradic, split complement, accessibility rules for color theory, black: luxurious, sexy & powerful, white: fresh and clean, silver: innovation and modernity, red: power, action & confidence, blue: trustworthiness, stability & safety, yellow: happiness, energy & attention, green: money, health, nature & luck, purple: wisdom, creativity & ambition, brown: strength, security & isolation, orange: uplifting, attention & energy, pink: girly and romance, case study 1: creating a presentation with contrasting values, case study 2: create a presentation for eco-friendly purposes, case study 3: create a vibrant presentation to engage your audience, final tips for proper usage of color theory in presentation design, what is color theory.

We can resume color theory as guidance on color mixing and combinations for achieving harmonious results, but to truly understand color theory, we must understand the concept of color itself.

The initial findings and research on color date back to ancient Greece , where Aristotle understood colors as “a mixture of light and darkness,” but discordances were seen in the way the human eye was able to perceive the phenomenon of color. Demokritos understood colors as the energy emitted from self-radiating objects but could not be extracted for artistic purposes. For philosophers like Plato, color was perceived after the rays emitted by the self-radiating objects collided with “pure rays” placed in the human eyes by the gods. Therefore the perception of “color” mainly depended on the properties of those rays (size, strength, and speed). 

Even if we can criticize such simplistic approaches to color perception these days, the truth is those definitions aren’t that far from contemporary concepts. The color theory formalization process started with the findings of Leone Battista Alberti, referring to the mixture of colors as an infinite process in which other hues are created, but recognized only four true colors: red, blue, green, and grey. For Alberti, white and black were alterations in different colors.

The works of Leonardo da Vinci were geared toward the interaction of light and shade, where white represented the light and black the absence of color. This formulation was adequately analyzed by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666 when he observed that white light was composed of the entire spectrum of colors present in the rainbow. His experiment, made using two prisms, proved that light lacked any proper color on its own, but “color” was a human perception of the range of energies emitted when light fulfilled these three premises:

• It had a medium for propagation: air, water, etc.
• It involved interacting with at least two elements: an object and light.
• It had a spectator whose rational interpretation was able to “decode” the energy into a “color.”

The direct consequence of Newton’s findings is the method by which we can analyze a color’s properties.

• Hue : How is the color perceived (if it is blue, red, yellow, etc.).
• Saturation : Also known as Intensity, it refers to how vivid color is. The more saturation it has, the stronger the color it will be. The lower the saturation value is, the more grayish the color would look.
• Value : Speaks of the amount of light present in color. Colors with considerable amounts of light are referred to as Tints , whereas colors lacking light are known as Shades . 

Thanks to these properties, colors can be classified according to their interaction with each other in two big models:

• Additive color model : This is where RGB comes from. Red, Green, and Blue make the primary colors as they are the colors available in the photoreceptors of the human eyes. Since white is conceived as the combination of red, green, and blue in equal parts, any ratio alteration creates the different colors we can perceive. Hence, black is defined as the removal of the three primary colors. This theory was conceived by James Clerk Maxwell and is fundamental for any kind of visual media.
• Subtractive color model: This model refers to CYMK, the acronym being Cyan, Yellow, Magenta, and Black. It is called subtractive as the concept behind it is purely physics-based. If we take the light spectrum and mix it with pigments, certain pigments absorb part of the light spectrum before letting the light bounce. Therefore, light waves are “subtracted” from the original light source when the color reaches the viewer’s eye. For instance, white objects lack pigments; that’s why the full spectrum reaches the object and can be perceived as white. As you add more pigments, you subtract more light waves from the light source, getting to the point where an object is perceived as black (hence why the letter K is in the acronym). 

Now, these two different color perception models are applied in various mediums. As mentioned above, the RGB color range from the additive color model is used in visual media, such as computers and television. Up to 16.7 million colors can be created from this model, and the methodology for this is by mixing each channel (red, green, and blue) in a range from 0 (least saturated) to 255 (most saturated). 

The CYMK color range from the subtractive color model is used for print media in a broad range of options: paper, textile, dyes, ink, etc. Unlike the RGB mode, CMYK is heavily restricted to an estimated 16k possible colors. Since CMYK is based on pigments, the conformation of each color is expressed in percentages for each tint.

On Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Colors

We have approached a great deal of information, but what about what the teacher told us about “primary” and “secondary” colors in school? Well, let’s blame artists for this. 

During the 18th century, discussions about color vision came to the convention that all elements were made out of three primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. This was due to the belief that these three tints could mix all the other colors perceived by the human eye. The RYB model distinct red, yellow and blue as the primary colors , where the mixture of these hues produces the secondary colors : orange, green, and violet.

Tertiary colors result from mixing a primary and a secondary color but include a higher ratio of the primary color. By doing that, you end up with these colors:

• Blue-green (Teal) = Blue + Green
• Yellow-green (Chartreuse) = Yellow + Green
• Red-orange (Vermilion) = Red + Orange
• Red-purple (Magenta) = Red + Purple
• Blue-purple (Violet) = Blue + Purple
• Yellow-orange (Amber) = Yellow + Orange

Although lighting professionals typically coin this concept, the truth is we can classify colors by their “temperature.” For artists and any kind of visual/printed medium, color temperature is a relative concept that relates to how cold or warm a color is perceived and the psychological effects linked to it.

Why is the color temperature a relative concept? Simple, it’s strictly related to the color in proximity to it. For example, if we take a wine color sample (red-violet) and put it close to a blue-colored object, the wine color will be perceived as warmer . On the other hand, if we take that same sample and place it next to a red thing, the wine color is observed as cooler due to the presence of blue pigment.

As a convention, colors can be classified according to their temperature as:

• Warm colors : Red, yellow, and orange hues
• Cool colors : Blue, blue-green, and violet hues

Some colors are “in-between” as they can both be warm or cold. Examples of these are pink, green, and gray.

In a later section, we will analyze the impact color temperature has on psychology and its usage for transmitting emotions in a message.

As in any discipline, we need a framework to provide quality results. Color theory is the consequence of centuries of research made by thinkers, scientists, and artists about the behavior of color and the human psyche. 

This framework ensures we work under visually harmonic results for the desired outcome. Correct usage of color theory can elevate a design to its maximum potential. Although, we should consider that design is not the ultimate reason why the research on color and its theorization happened in the first place. In 1879 Odgen Rod published Modern Chromatics , the first scientifical publication made by a physicist about color theory taking notions from Jack Clerk Maxwell’s postulates. His work inspired the creation of a color standardization system, resumed in the 1912 book Color Standards and Color Nomenclature by Robert Ridgway.

In a different line of research, color representation was an idea often revisited during the 18th and 19th centuries. 3D shapes displayed the different hues, shades, and tints: spheres, pyramids, and cones. Eventually, the method was inefficient for any respectable academic or professional work. It was by the hand of professor Albert Munsell (creator of the Munsell Color System, still used to date) that a proper relationship between hue, saturation, and value was established. His discoveries involved a rigorous methodology in which the three color properties were expressed in percentages as a “rational way to describe color” – contrasting with the traditional (and misleading) color naming system.

Munsell’s first findings were published in his 1905 Color Atlas , improved later in the 1929 Munsell Book of Color . The impact of Munsell’s research was that his system was almost instantly adopted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for soil research and later on by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for the standardization of skin and hair colors in forensic pathology. Other known usages of Munsell’s system include dental restoration practices (for defining dental pieces’ tint) or comparing digital media to human color vision.

A final application of color theory and the one that mainly involves us in crafting presentations came from the findings of art theorist and artist Wassily Kandinsky . He established the nexus between colors and the effect on human behavior – a study that later evolved into the discipline of Color Psychology . His perception of the spirituality found in art is heavily used to date in marketing as specific colors were able to alter the mood of the audience. We will elaborate on this topic in a later section of this guide.

Types of Color Schemes

In this section, we will explain in detail each of the color schemes. Consider this article on color mixing for presentations as complementary information about tips for how to balance the color ratio and how to select a scheme.

A monochromatic color scheme applies a single color with variations in shades and tints. This kind of scheme is often found in house paint palettes, and the overall effect is consistency.

Whereas it lacks contrast to make it look “vibrant,” the monochromatic scheme is one of the preferred choices of many designers as simply you cannot go wrong with it. It takes the decision of color matching out of the scene, and you can play with different shades and tints of the same hue to make transitions, highlight an element, etc.

The analogous color scheme works with a pairing of the main color and the two directly next to it in the color wheel. One example we can take is an analogous scheme of blue with blue-green and green. 

Overall, it is a color scheme that can be applied in most scenarios without harsh dynamic range impact. Its expected usage is for logos or branding, looking for a harmonic result in which the different colors blend together to convey a message.

If you want to create an impactful contrast, this is your color scheme. The complementary color scheme uses two colors directly across the color wheel. Any other tints or shades relevant to those two colors can also be used. 

And here’s why color theory is critical when approaching a presentation design. How would you actually use the colors in this complementary color scheme? 50/50? If that’s your initial guess, you are awfully wrong.

To preserve harmony in the composition, the advisable route is to consider one color as the predominant and the second contrasting color as the accent . The different tints and shades can be used in similar proportions, always as subordinates of those two. 

The complementary color scheme is ideal for graphs, charts, and infographics. Its striking contrast makes elements outstand; thus, it’s advisable not to overload the balance between predominant and accent. One part can be colored in the accent color, then tints and shades of that color make the different points of the graph. The predominant color becomes the background for that presentation.

The tetradic color scheme defines a rectangle area where the four corners are the selected colors for the palette. It is one of the schemes that oughts to be used with extreme caution.

As a result of this selection process, we end up with two bold tones, and two muted ones, which are secondary colors related to the first ones. To apply the rectangle color scheme, start by making one color dominant . Balance the rest of the colors as subtle accents for different sections. To avoid its overwhelming effect, you can use either black or white (depending on your selection of colors) to tone down the color explosion.

Mobile development is a fine example of applying a tetradic color scheme, where we can see menus with cards in different colors. Keep a close eye on it; you will subtly find the other three tones in each card. Companies like Google or Microsoft use tetradic schemes for their logos, as it boosts the idea of diversity and openness.

The triadic color scheme is trendy in flyers design and is also known to produce the best colors for presentations. Since all colors are equally distant in the color wheel, you get a high contrast composition; however, the best part of this color scheme is to play with the softer tints each color has as it gets closer to white.

Say you pick blue-violet as the dominant color. Yellow-green will be the color to contrast that blue-violet for a balanced look (red-orange if your take was to make it highly vibrant), so you can use either 100% yellow-green or a softer tint of it for different parts of your design. Then, the red-orange becomes a hue to add dynamism to the composition in attention-grabbing details. 

The square color scheme is a bolder version of the rectangle color scheme. Coining the idea of even spaces between colors, you end up with dramatic changes in hues while preserving one primary color, which is one of the reasons why web designers often pick this color scheme. 

For correctly applying this scheme, we suggest you pick the darkest hue as the dominant color , then gradually introduce the others using the 60-30-10 rule for a balanced composition. Using white or black as the predominant color is an alternative, whereas the others picked by the square color scheme make the composition pop.

Finally, we have the Split Complement or Split Complementary color scheme, which resembles a tree structure. This scheme picks a primary color. Instead of selecting its direct complementary, it opts for a split in which the two colors are chosen on each side of the complementary color. 

This kind of scheme is ideal for infographics and presentations since you balance the high contrast of the Complementary scheme with two subtler but intense colors. The second reason why so many users are fans of this scheme is that it keeps a proper balance between warm and cool colors. 

Let’s assume red-violet is going to act as the base color . Then blue-violet can be used to enforce some shadow areas and yellow to bring life to the composition in a striking way. Since the contrast can be overwhelming, be mindful about the dosage of color you apply, and mostly: choose the base color with care . As an extra note, you can use a tint of the selected base color if you consider the chosen one is far too bold (e.g., if you picked yellow as the base color).

Color isn’t the answer to every project. Even if you consider the first step of picking the proper color scheme for your design is done, there are some extra rules you ought to check to ensure design accessibility . We cannot be more clear about this topic: if your design doesn’t follow the basic accessibility rules, all that hard work was done for nothing. Why? Let’s consider the following scenario.

You designed a presentation. The slides are done and ready to be projected for your audience. After the conference started, people in the back rows complained they could not understand what was written in your slides. Or worse: they get confused when trying to visualize graphs. And this doesn’t just affect people with visual impairments (which you should always consider when designing your slides) – different lighting conditions can hinder your own presentation performance from your workspace if the color contrast isn’t appropriate.

Therefore, we will resume the principal guidelines for accessibility that concern color theory:

• Contrast foreground and background : To ensure your presentation is readable, apply a color contrast of 4.5:1 for placeholder text and 3:1 for titles. This also applies if the text was rasterized as part of an image. You can see the difference below between what’s considered a faulty contrast and a well-made pairing.
• A word of caution : Please look at the font color’s overall lightness. There’s a specific reason for not using 100% lightness because it causes visual discomfort to the user.

• Don’t assume people understand color the same way: As we’ve seen above, the perception of color is subjective and can be influenced by factors that can be both psychological, physiological, or even educational. Let’s take a classic as an example. A form section that says, “Required fields are in red.” Whereas this can be simple to understand, a person with daltonism or achromatopsia (total color blindness) won’t even know where to look. Instead, use a visual cue to help the user understand where to look, such as “Required fields are marked with an *.”
• Test designs in different sizes: Something that can be seen as balanced on a printed paper or computer screen may be overwhelming when reduced to mobile format. It’s a good practice to test the color schemes in different screen sizes to be confident users can read and understand our content, regardless of the medium they use.

Psychological effects associated with effective color theory application

Even though the naming is relatively recent, color psychology is the discipline that understands the relationship between color and human interaction. So significant is the importance for this study area that food packaging doesn’t happen accidentally, as improper color usage can alter how you perceive that food. Marketing, interior design, gaming industry, graphic designers , and so many other industries apply the guidelines of color psychology in their daily production to grant consumer satisfaction. 

This section will explore the intrinsic messages that color can transmit and how our presentations can benefit from that.

As an easy term, black can be understood as the absence of color. People can also interpret black as the lack of light or the technical fact that black can absorb the entire light spectrum.

Since we can analyze the color meanings by its positive and negative associations, we start with the positive feelings oozed by the color black. It is a direct message of sophistication and luxury. People instantly associate black with the color of tuxedos, black limos, and many spy-themed movies. 

The black color also speaks of power, and it’s not without a cause, as court dresses historically have been black. Banking institutions reserve the black color for their premium members’ cards.

Negative connotations of the color black are feelings that evoke depression. This can be easily fixed by a sound, contrasting presentation color palette.

Opt for a black-themed presentation if you wish to transmit exclusivity, a VIP product or service for your audience. Gold accents work perfectly for this kind of topic, although somewhat cliché. Instead, you can work with ochre and coffee tones with subtle white accents to make the design tridimensional. Use texture images, such as carbon fiber, to reinforce the message of something luxurious that can elevate the customer’s standards.

Word of advice: not all black colors are precisely “black” – You can find warmer blacks, which work best with ochre tones, and cooler blacks that get along best with silver/gray hues.

White speaks of purity, of something clean and innocent, hence why it is the main color picked for wedding dresses, baptisms, or hotel bedding. White also transmits minimalism, which is why nordic styling often pairs warm wood with matte white finishes for table lamps or furniture. It has a conveyed message of austerity.

As a color, technically speaking, is the full spectrum of light without being bounced. Therefore, white can be understood as a blank state, a new beginning of sorts. Its simplicity makes easier the effort to craft a presentation, so that’s the reason behind many users opting for classical white-predominant themes.

Negatively speaking, white can evoke bad feelings for those who have photophobia (intolerance to harsh lights) due to its striking contrast. Remember the recommendation above for not using pure 100% lightness in the white text? The same applies here for backgrounds unless you have a keen desire to hurt the spectators’ eyesight. Lower the value of white to 80-90% if your presentation is going to be purely white-based, and use 100% lightness for accent details if you prefer.

Pure white can also be perceived as dull, so pairing it with another hue is necessary for specific industries for quality presentation design.

Silver or gray (depending on whether it resembles a metallic look) is a color of grace and modernity. It transmits a message of a change of direction, as light can bounce off it. Hence, professionals use it not just for technological aspects but also mental health as you feel all mental blocks are getting lifted.

It is a color often associated with wealth – its direct relationship with the silver metal – and thanks to being shiny, clean, and alluring, it is associated with everything modern and hi-tech. 

Whereas it can be seen as a perfectly balanced color, it can easily be misused and fall under the bland side of the color spectrum. Melancholy and loneliness are negative feelings sometimes associated due to the lack of a prominent hue on them. Don’t be fooled by such a statement as there aren’t two equal grays in the world: put two gray color samples side by side, and you’ll notice the subtle differences in hue.

It is a color that dignifies, speaks of maturity, and a well-organized scenario. The corporate world uses this color in almost every scenario without even relating that embedded message, and at the same time, it reinforces the meaning. 

In color psychology, the primary colors are the ones that transmit the most powerful messages. Red conveys the fiery energy that fuels power and confidence. It is a color with a duality no other hue can express, and we will analyze why.

On a positive note, red is associated with love and passion. The image of a woman wearing a red dress or holding a red bottle of perfume not just seeks to evoke passion but to present the woman as a confident person, capable of making her own choices to shape her future. She is the coveted element of desire, not by her sex but by the ideal of power she can transmit. 

Traditionally, red is the color of power in cultural scenarios. The Academy Awards attendants and nominees walk over the “red carpet.” Political parties use the color red for their logos. Anyone who sees the color red can instantly associate with the brand Ferrari and their Cavallino Rampante logo. 

Physiologically, red is powerful enough to produce these physical effects:

• Elevate blood pressure
• Enhance metabolic rate
• Increase heart rate
• Induce hyperventilation
• Increase appetite

That’s why using red is not something to take for granted. Abusing the usage of red in a presentation can cause discomfort, whereas proper usage of red makes it engaging and dynamic. Remember that red is also the color used for signage in the case of “danger,” “stop,” “fire,” and several other negative connotations.

Be cautious when using pure red as your dominant color. Sometimes it’s best to play it safer and opt for a shade or a tint not so predominant in the message.

Blue is a color that instantly uplifts productivity. Commonly found in nature as in the daytime sky or water, it inspires serenity in the spectator, building confidence to become more productive. 

One of the reasons blue is so commonly used in designs is because it’s felt as something conservative. Like you cannot go wrong when using blue or pairing blue with another color. That’s another sign of how much of an intense presence blue has in our daily life that we feel natural to pair blue with another hue. 

As one of the primary colors, blue creates a strong feeling of stability and safety. Businesses, banking institutions, and health centers use blue to transmit their values of professionalism and trustworthiness. Psychologically, blue has the opposite effect to red regarding pulse rate, so it’s not unusual to find blue hues in offices requiring much concentration time. 

Negatively, blue is associated with sadness, as in the common saying “feeling blue.” Pure blue schemes can seem detached to some audiences; therefore, opt for a Split Complement , Analogous , or Rectangle color scheme to make it look attention-grabbing. Some schemes pairing blue shades with ochre, brown, or orange can transmit the message of luxury when done with subtlety. 

As the final primary color, it’s bright and intense, becoming one of its main usages as an attention-grabber. In general guidelines, we must not overuse yellow as a color in designs since it quickly builds visual fatigue. Physiologically, that has been related to the amount of lighting it emits in comparison with other colors (hence, its similar performance to white in cases of photophobia). However, we must not forget yellow can also increase the metabolic rate.

Yellow can get perception dualities as we’ve seen with red: some people find it cheerful, inspiring happiness and energy (e.g., SpongeBob SquarePants character), and others perceive it as absolutely annoying. That’s due to the attention-grabbing factor, so we must apply it carefully in presentation design.

Due to it being a stimulating color, we would recommend using tints of yellow as background color if yellow is a must. Avoid pure yellow at all costs. Some people interpret the yellow color as aggressive, and your presentation conveys the wrong message. Psychologically, it has been studied that conceited people prefer yellow color , whereas introverts react negatively to it. Instead, use a color scheme that pairs yellow with a less dramatic color, and apply yellow as the accent color of your scheme.

Is there any other instant connotation for green besides nature, outdoors, and ecology? Green is distinguished as a refreshing color and associated with health and eco-friendly practices.

As a combination of the steady blue and the happiness-booster yellow, green mellows the soul, taking us to a relaxing atmosphere. This is why designers create “green spaces” inside office buildings – becoming critical in dense capital cities with limited outdoor places to unplug from work. 

Historically, humanity has associated green with different values:

• Money : Currency bills, such as the US dollar.
• Health : There are cultural associations of the color green with fertility, eating healthy, the agricultural industry, and living stress-free.
• Nature : The outdoors, green energy, eco-friendly organizations.
• Luck : A four-leaf clover, casinos, winning.

On the other hand, there’s the common saying that one can be “green with envy”, or relate to motion-sickness. Thankfully, that’s not the message green transmits when used in the design.

Before applying green to your slides, remember it’s not the same message you send when using an olive green (that speaks of elegance and earthiness) as when using an aqua green (freshness, sports). Be mindful when picking the green hue and research its own meaning before using the color because you just like it.

Although this color is associated with feminist movements these days, purple historically speaks of wisdom and creativity. It has an embedded message of ambition due to its cultural references to royalty and the clergy. You may ask yourself why if black is associated with the luxurious, we say that purple is the color of royalty. Well, the answer to that question we have to speak about a dye named Tyrian purple , with an insanely costly procedure that only allowed the extremely wealthy population to wear clothes in that color.

Changing perspectives, we can speak of the purple color from a creative aspect as a color that boosts inspiration. Its link to spirituality is well-documented, and one of its most controversial usages is the work of artist Francis Bacon in Study after Velázquez’s Portrait of Pope Innocent X . Also, purple is a color associated with courage. The Purple Heart medal is a military decoration of the United States awarded in the name of the US President to those wounded or killed during service. 

The shades of purple can evoke exotic perceptions, from wine to delicate flowers such as orchids to precious gemstones such as Amethyst. 

Since it’s not a color felt as natural by humans, we can create vibrant presentations on different topics that take the user away from conventionalism. 

Brown is a color commonly used for outdoor adventures or to introduce all-terrain experiences in isolated places. Being the color usually associated with earth, it’s not a surprise to find the values of strength and reliability linked to the color brown, even if it’s not a color easy to manage as it leans towards both orange and yellow. 

Warmth, comfort, and security are feelings transmitted by the color brown for its close relationship with nature. That could explain why security firms opt to include brown in their branding strategies and pair it with black to enforce the importance of “securing the valuables.” 

To apply it in presentation design, it is a color that must be balanced in a complementary or split complementary scheme, preferably with a blue tint. Orange can bring far too much energy to the scene, so use the combination of brown + orange with caution (the same rules apply with brown + yellow).

Depending on where its hue leans, we can say orange can be an uplifting color on an extremely attention-seeking one. The strong-red oranges are used for attention, such as in signage, whereas yellow-orange speaks of happiness, of being carefree. The “ideal” orange – such as the one in the photo above – is a color that transmits the feeling of energy, leading parcel delivery companies to use it for their marketing strategies. 

As a highly energetic color, it’s often found in uniforms for sports, mascots, energy drinks, etc. People associate orange with summer and autumn: spectacular sunsets, orange juice, flowers, and so on. For the Asiatic culture, orange is a spiritual color that speaks of meditation, leaving materialism behind and Buddha. For Americans, orange is linked to Thanksgiving and Halloween. 

Thankfully, orange is a color easy to pair in most scenarios as it blends with a multitude of colors. Still, we recommend it to mute the pure orange, opting for a sophisticated shade of it and leaving the intense orange hues as accent colors. 

Last but not least, we will speak about the pink color. It is a color associated with the feeling of kindness, love, and femininity. A broad range of shades transmits different messages: whereas pastel pinks can evoke tenderness, a vibrant shade of pink such as magenta can be observed as aggressive by some audiences. 

Joyful, pink is a girly tone that makes you feel integrated. As if you achieved your most desired dreams and you celebrate the outcome surrounded by your loved ones. For artists, it is a vibrant color that contrasts with often “dull” colors such as gray and black for interesting composition values.

If you can look aside the simplistic “girl” color concept, it’s a refreshing color that instantly takes people to a feeling of inspiration and renewal. 

Case studies for color theory

In this final section of the article, we will use four different case studies to explain why some color selections are made in regard to sending the viewer a message with the presentation. Please keep in mind that most presentation templates are fully editable; therefore, if you love a design, but you don’t feel comfortable with its color range, you can change the color palette for ppt presentation by making a custom theme in PowerPoint .

This first case study involves a medium-sized company that seeks to automatize its candidate selection process for the HR department through AI technology. As not every single member in the managerial area is convinced about this idea, the HR department prepared what’s known as a force field analysis presentation . 

Thanks to the force field analysis model, the HR department presents the initiative, its driving forces (being the Pros of the initiative), and the restraining forces (the cons of this initiative) are easy to identify and represent with the help of a force field analysis slide template .

In a Complementary color scheme, the elements that weigh on the decision are represented in two colors: sapphire blue for the driving forces and orange-red to expose the restraining forces. Since we talk about something corporative, the same sapphire blue was used for the initiative area, not influencing the palette with another color.

Conducting the analysis from a color psychology perspective, the orange-red is attention-grabbing enough for people not to ignore the cons that this project can experience over time, whilst also reflecting an energetic resistance to change. Sapphire blue, on the other hand, speaks of professionalism. Of trusting the process in the decision to make since it’s time to move on and pursue bigger horizons – and the current selection process for new personnel is both time-demanding and often not tailored for certain departments.

In our second case study, a waste management company is visiting potential customers to offer their services whilst also educating company owners on the importance of treating production waste with the care it requires. 

This next slide introduces the ecology of waste management, in which, depending on the original materials, there are multiple methods to repurpose waste rather than piling it up in open outdoor spaces.  

The waste management presentation template used features a Monochrome color scheme in shades and tones of green. The greens used are not also randomly selected:

• Dark green used in the title and accent effects speaks of the fact that waste can be repurposed into money, and that fact can easily become a driving force for customers to change their waste management policies.
• Bright green in the accent sections and number of slides refers to rebirth. Of giving new life to what’s considered decay.
• Pale green in the cogwheels and placeholder text percentages is a symbol of peace. Remembers the audience that being mindful about the final destination of our production processes is part of having a corporate social responsibility.
• Mint green is a signal for refreshment. Of lifting taxing decisions and outsourcing from people knowledgeable in the subject.

With this case study, you can appreciate how slide color schemes can reinforce the message to transmit without filler words.

The next case study to analyze comes from a group of young software developers presenting their skills to a customer for a web design project. Despite not having a large trajectory in the industry, their team is well-balanced between experienced developers and creative designers to meet the demands of their clients.

This programming presentation template is the chosen asset to introduce their services visually compellingly while also listing their project portfolio.

A fine example of a Split Complementary color scheme, no doubt. The color selected was yellow-red, using blue and violet as the other two colors that made up this scheme. Since yellow is far too intense, it’s left as the accent color for some sections, and the background is a darker blue leaning towards blue-violet. The vector images follow suit by combining the colors selected in the palette, using gradients and lighter tints. 

The question becomes now: what about the aqua tone? Sometimes, designers can combine color schemes inside a design to balance the overall composition. Since yellow would be too much attention-grabbing, and the presence of blues and violets is covered, there is a secondary usage of the Analogous color scheme, opting for a tint of the blue-green next to the blue color. The discrete way in which it was used brings life to the image and centers the vision in the placeholder text area. 

To conclude this guide, it is essential to answer a common question: how do I pick the colors for my slide design project?

For some people, inspiration about a word, a concept, or a product to present directly leads to the color selection of the main color – or at least an indicator of which hue would work best. Then, the selected color scheme helps to build up the entire color palette for the presentation. In some other cases, an image can become the leading source of inspiration. That’s the reason why you should check tools such as Design Seeds’ Instagram Profile or even Pinterest. 

Online tools can help us easily come up with good colors for presentations. Some recommendations for this are Coolors or COLOURlovers . Although… what if you already got inspiration from a presentation you attended but don’t know which colors were used? This incredible tool may cheer you up: Site Palette , a Google Chrome extension that gives you the entire list of colors used, with their HEX values to reproduce them in your designs.

Check out our complete tutorial on how to make a PowerPoint Presentation .

Like this article? Please share

Presentation Approaches, Presentation Ideas, Presentation Skills Filed under Design

Related Articles

Filed under Business • September 25th, 2024

Walking Deck Presentations: How to Craft Self-Explanatory Slides

Discover best practices for building walking deck presentations that leave a lasting impact. Create presentations that convey key ideas on their own.

Filed under Business • September 19th, 2024

Analyzing the McKinsey Presentation Structure: A Guide for Consulting Presentations

Uncover the key principles of McKinsey’s presentation approach, including concise messaging, effective data visualization, and practical recommendations. A must-read guide for consultants aiming to improve their presentation skills.

Filed under Design • September 11th, 2024

8 Best Canva Alternatives for Presentations in 2024

Don’t feel restricted about what one application can do for presentation design. Meet a list of the best Canva alternatives in this article.

Leave a Reply

• PowerPoint Design
• PowerPoint Training
• Presentation Skills Coaching
• Presentation Tips

Call Us. 202.681.0725

The Psychology of Color in PowerPoint Presentations

• April 12, 2013
• Kevin Lerner

Discover how the colors you choose for your PowerPoint presentations can guide the emotional response of your audience.

What are the best colors for a powerpoint presentation it all depends on who your audience is and what you want them to feel.

When used correctly, color can help audience members sort out the various elements of a slide. But its power goes beyond mere clarification. To some extent the colors you choose for your visuals guide the emotional response of your audience.

Blue: The most popular background color for presentation slides

Blue is one of the most common background colors. It’s calming and conservative, which is why it’s very popular with business presenters, as well as for for trainers. Studies have shown that blue has the power to slow our breathing and pulse rates. Dark blue backgrounds with light text are great for conservative corporate no-nonsense presentations. Lighter blue- more common in re cent times- work well in relaxed environments with the lights on, and help promote interaction.

Examples of BLUE in Presentations

• Quest Diagnostics: A serious company with a seriously navy blue background. The subtle angled lines promote a feeling a movement and technology. Blue complements the Green of Quest’s logo, and the white title bar provides a clean but stark contrast to the body.
• This blue template for waste management firm Republic Services provides a conservative backdrop for the financials and white bullet points. The yellow titles stand out, as does the orange, red and blue themed imagery at the bottom, not to mention the company’s logo.
• This slide for Dr. Soram Khalsa’ Complementrix Vitamin system features a template with a dark blue with angled lines. And the inner portion of the template featured a light blue-hue burst of a sun-ray to convey bright life and energy.
• This slide for Lender Direct featured an image of a file folder, edited in Photoshop, with a 80 % transparency set against a light blue background. The light blue graphic helped to convey a sense of openeness , and professionalism, while maintaining the company’s blue brand.

Green: Stimulates interaction and puts people at ease

Green stimulates interaction. It’s a friendly color that’s great for warmth and emotion. Green is commonly used in PowerPoint presentations for trainers, educators, and others whose presentations are intended to generate discussion. It’s also a great color for environmental and earth-oriented discussions.

Examples of Green in Presentations

• This slide for Hills Pet Nutrition features a modern green background with textured lines promoting a warm, but contemporary feeling. Great for their topic on pet affection.
• Money is green and so is this presentation for Presidio Finance. The white text contrasts nicely with the forest green finance images, helping to project a no-nonsense image of success and accomplishment.
• In this slide for TD Waterhouse, we created top title bar in dark green, integrating smoothly with their lime green logo. The green-hued process chart on the slide image stands out comfortably against the textured grey background.
• The flowing green arcs at the bottom and green title text helps substantiate this slides message of health and vitality. Executive Success Team’s green logo and brand also promotes a relaxed and comfortable feeling, just like Mona Vie.

Red: Handle with Care in Presentations!

Red is one of the most influential colors in your software palette — but it also carries negative cultural attachments, so use it carefully. Red is also a great color for conveying passion. Or talking about the competition. Do not use Red in financial information or tables and charts.

Examples of RED in Presentations

• The rich red of Oracle is maintained in this template, featuring red title text in an inset red rectangle and a red bottom bar of binary numbers for a look of blazing edge technology
• Trace Security uses a similar red title bar element, tying in to their black and red logo and brand.
• Red and black are also colors for Sales Training Consultants, and in this slide, we used a flat beige background, with a title bar in bright red together with red bullets and a red target graphic.
• The body pages of the Grenada presentation feature Red, but in an inset border. Text is inversed in white, as is the main body area. The key states in this map are highlighted in red.

Purple: Mystical and Emotional color in presentations and design

Purple is often associated with royalty and wealth. Purple also represents wisdom and spirituality. Purple does not often occur in nature, it can sometimes appear exotic or artificial. Nearly all the clients who come to me with presentations featuring purple or lavender are women. It’s a feminine color and it’s a good color for emotional or spiritual presentations.

Examples of Purple in Presentations

• Crosley & Company’s branding is maintained with a dominant dark purple background, and orange titles.
• A soft lavender background option gives these two medical doctors a chance to add some warmth for their mostly women audiences.

Yellow, Orange, & Gold: Attention-getting colors of affluence and prestige

Yellow can create feelings of frustration and anger. While it is considered a cheerful color, people are more likely to lose their tempers in yellow rooms and babies tend to cry more in yellow rooms.

Since yellow is the most visible color, it is also the most attention-getting color. Yellow can be used in small amount to draw notice, such as key words, or highlights but not in backgrounds. Rather than using flat yellow as a background color, consider a more “golden” or orange color. Simply adding texture to a yellow background or superimposing a photo (in Photoshop) with low transparency, can add more richness to the yellow background image.

Examples of Yellow / Gold in Presentations

• This flat yellow slide is for Web-Reach, an internet consulting firm in Miami. Even though their message was to compete with the Yellow Pages phone book, their yellow background was flat and uninspired.
• With a simple fix in Photoshop, yellow became Gold, and the same slide became more robust. We added a red bar to the top, and a grey arc to the left. Same information, just a textured golden hue helped deliver elegance and style.
• A golden textured earth background helped this slide convey the message of international elegance. The green money background blends with the gold, and the black text brings a nonsense message to the page.
• A golden textured background for Fountainhead Consulting with elements of yellow, blue, red, and grey.

Black: A strong and definite color that’s often overlooked!

Don’t forget your basic black. Often overlooked, black is a background color with useful psychological undertones. Its neutrality makes it a good backdrop for financial information. Black connotes finality and also works well as a transitional color which is why the fade to black transition is powerful, as it gives the impression of starting fresh.

Examples of Black in Presentations

• It’s a matter of black and white for this construction company. It’s intro slides were pure white text on a black background, emphasizing the company’s core beliefs. After the 3 b&w slides, the room lit-up with a series of dynamic colorful slides as the speakers enlightened the audience.
• Over 10 years old, this slide from Ryder transportation remains one of the strongest visuals. Set against a flat black background, the company’s grey logomark conveys a true sense of stability and no-nonsense action. The monotone building blocks tell a strong story.

White: Pure, Fresh and Clean. But a little boring.

White is also a calm and neutral color for presentations. It’s terrific for conveying a fresh start such as a fade to white. It represents purity or innocence. Good for positive information where you want the focus purely on the message, and not competing with a brand image. It’s clean/open and inviting and can create a sense of space or add highlights. But it can also be perceived as cheap, flat (it’s the default color for PowerPoint slides) and harsh on the eyes. Consider grey as a better background color.

Examples of White in Presentations

• To help to maintain a clean and open look this consumer collaborative called on us to integrate their brand colors set against a plain white background. The blue and orange bars provided a conservative frame, while the arcs provided a contemporary look of flow and motion.
• This slide for a large architecture and construction firm featured a flat white background offset by a colorful series of modern buildings and logos.

Grey and Silver: A conservative color; Good when Black or White won’t work.

According to psychologists, grey is often thought of as a negative color. It can be the color of evasion and non-commitment since it is neither black nor white. Some say that Grey is the color of independence and self-reliance. A few years ago, silver was the most popular color for cars. And in the presentation world, this calm color is making a comeback. Grey (or “Silver”) is a softer background than the harsh default color of white, and works well on almost all presentations. A dark grey background with light text…or light grey background with dark text…you can’t go wrong!

Examples of Grey in Presentations

• Farmers Insurance’s silver background integrates subtle ray of light elements to help add depth and texture to this slide. The red, blue, and black stock images blend comfortably with the rest of the page. And the white border around the letters add a level of modernism and clarity.
• The stainless steel background of this slide helps promote a modern contemporary look, helping to link the 4 brands together.
• A clean flowing blue arc with a non-obtrusive silver background help make this slide for Margie Seyfer appear fun but conservative
• Interim Healthcare’s brand is maintained, but a muted image in silver help add depth and dimension to the slide’s message, while supporting its key points.

We perceive dark colors as being “heavier” than light ones, so graphic elements that are arranged from darkest to lightest are the easiest for the eyes to scan. On charts, it’s best to arrange colors from dark to light.

Remember that most eyes aren’t perfect. Because color perception deficiencies are common, certain color combinations — including red/green, brown/green, blue/black and blue/purple — should be avoided.

color , powerpoint , powerpoint tips , presentation design , psychology of color , style

Presentation Perfection for Clients around the World.

"We engaged The Presentation Team to do a Presentation training for our team and he did a great job. He spent time understanding our requirements and the skill level of our team members and created a course which met our expectations and goals. I highly recommend The Presentation Team as a Presentation (PowerPoint) trainer."

Navdeep Sidhu Senior Director, Software AG

"Kevin Lerner provided best-in-class services when hired to work on promotional materials for the launch of a key product at Motorola. The expertise and quality that he brought to the project were second to none and as a result, he delivered a top-notch presentation that was quickly adopted throughout the organization. Kevin is great to work with, delivers on time, is a great team player and is always willing to go the extra mile."

Maria Cardoso Motorola

"Kevin has been a working with Cox Communications to deliver world-class PowerPoint presentation visuals since 2009. His ability to meet our specific needs, timeframe, and budgets has been exceptional. His professional interaction with our team reflects his deep expertise in the industry, superior presentation design skills, and commitment to superior service."

Jonathan Freeland VP, Video Marketing at Cox Communications

"Kevin is an enthusiastic, creative, and passionate presentation guru. Our company was impressed and felt the value of his training in 2013 that he was invited again recently to again share his knowledge. Both times he has been energetic and addressed many areas for presentation development. From planning to follow-up Kevin is personable and easygoing, motivating our teams to take their presentations to the next level."

Yoshimi Kawashima Project Coordinator, Nissin International

"Kevin helped me immensely improve my presentation slides development, from tips & tricks to aesthetics, all with the intent of getting the message across crisply and creatively. I've already received praise for decks that incorporate the skills obtained from his training. I highly recommend Kevin's services."

Era Prakash General Electric

"Kevin helped me immensely improve my presentation slides development, from "The PowerPresentations seminar opened my eyes to all the limitless possibilities in presenting."

Leah Gordillo Saint Francis Medical Center

"Kevin helped me immensely improve my presentation slides development, from "[Kevin and The Presentation Team have] always delivered 110% in terms of meeting our objectives for finished product and budget"

Paul Price Watsco Corp.

"I had more people come up to me after I spoke, commenting on the visuals you created, than I did on the subject matter!"

Andy Smith Smith & Robb Advertising

"As a Fortune 1000 company, we sought to produce a classy, yet conservative presentation for our shareholders. It was evident that you and your team listened to our thoughts as you developed the presentation..."

Will Flower Republic Services

"Your expertise in the filed of PowerPoint and general presentation techniques helped elevate us to the level necessary to beat the competition."

Mike Geary James Pirtle Construction

"Kevin brought a high level of creativity, enthusiasm, and deep multmedia experience to our team. He worked dillegently with the team to produce an outstanding proposal which we subsequently won.

Jeff Keller Accenture/L3

info @ presentationteam.com

Giving a Presentation?  We can Help.

Sign-up for free PowerPoint Tips, PowerPoint Templates, and Presentation Strategies.

How to crack colour theory in presentations

Memory is a funny thing. It can be helped by emotions, visuals and by colour theory. So applying colour theory in presentations might help your audience’s recall. Previously, we’ve written about using emotions and stories in a presentation to hold attention .  And about the importance of using visuals to help your audience to remember key messages . Now it’s the turn of colour!

Here we talk about using colour theory in presentations…

The psychology behind colour theory in presentations.

Colours can evoke emotions, both positive and negative, grab attention and increase interest. When used alongside effective visuals colours also help people retain information.

What do different colours symbolise?

Blue is calming. It is associated with peace, tranquillity, confidence, wisdom and security. Studies show blue can slow breathing and pulse rates. It’s perfect for topics relating to cleanliness & hygiene. But avoid it when talking about food as blue suppresses appetite. Blue is very popular in corporate colour palettes.

Red is an emotionally intense colour. It also carries negative associations, so use carefully. Red symbolises passion, love, fire and anger. It increases respiration rate, raises blood pressure and has high visibility. It often highlights importance messages, for example in road signs. However it has negative connotations when used in financial information or charts. Different cultures have different associations with colour. In China, red is lucky and prosperous.

Purple combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. It is associated with royalty, wealth, spirituality and mystery. It uplifts us, calms the mind and nerves and encourages creativity. Purple is seen as a feminine colour. Almost 75 percent of pre-adolescent children prefer purple to all other colors. Indeed, it’s long thought to best suit feminine designs or children’s products. However, purple is enjoying a business resurgence and is used by more and more brands.

Yellow is a very cheerful, sunny colour. It is associated with optimism, happiness, idealism and imagination. Yet research shows people are more likely to lose their tempers in yellow rooms! Bright yellow is great for attention, we use sparingly for highlight. Yellow might be viewed as childish or fun, so not always suited to prestigious products or luxury items. Beware also of using yellow font on white. It’s hard to read onscreen.

Green symbolises nature, freshness and fertility. It is the most restful colour for the human eye and can improve vision. So green is best used for medical and eco-friendly themes due to it’s associations with safety and the environment. Yet use light greens with caution on projectors. They don’t project well and can be hard to see.

Black is a powerful colour. It has both positive and negative emotions such as power, elegance, formality, death and evil. Black is associated with fear and mystery, as well as strength and authority. A black background diminishes readability but makes other colours stand out.

White represents purity, innocence, cleanliness and simplicity. It has mostly positive connotations and is best used for promoting high-tech products, charities and safety. Plus, it prints well on white paper and saves ink 🙂

Whilst the information here on colour theory in presentations covers the basic colours, there are a thousand hues and tones to analyse. And not only that, but also how combinations of different colours can work (or fight) together. 

For branding, it’s surprising how many times we’ve seen a colour palette be very limiting when colours can’t be overlaid on top of each other. But branding is a big subject to cover in this short article. Enough said for now!

Lastly, I bet reading this list you’re thinking of other brands and how they might have fully taken ownership of that colour. They might be colours to avoid or to consider: whether you do or don’t want to look like your competitors. For example, an insurance company we worked for wanted to use yellow – because no (or very few) other insurance companies did (at the time). A bold move and a strong one!

In summary, know your colours and plan well!

You can read more about colour combinations in this article .

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the importance of using colour theory in presentations? Using colour theory in presentations can significantly enhance your audience’s recall. Colours evoke emotions, grab attention, and increase interest, which helps people retain information better when combined with effective visuals.

How do different colours affect the audience in presentations? Different colours can evoke various emotions and responses in the audience. For example, blue is calming and conveys trust, while red is intense and highlights importance.

Are there any colours I should avoid using in presentations? Avoid using colours that may convey negative connotations or are difficult to read. For instance, avoid heavy use of red in financial contexts as it can symbolise losses, and steer clear of yellow fonts on white backgrounds due to readability issues.

Can colour theory in presentations be applied to branding? Yes, colour theory in presentations can also be applied to branding. It’s crucial to choose colours that align with your brand’s identity and avoid colours that may closely resemble your competitors. For instance, an insurance company might choose yellow to stand out, as it’s rarely used in their industry.

Related Articles

How to create clean PowerPoint slides

One of the simplest ways to transform your presentations from heart-sink to happy is to keep your slides clean of unnecessary words and data. TIP 1: Make one, simple statement on each slide and use the remaining “space” for a visual that explains and clarifies. And that’s it. No more tips.

Why you shouldn’t read from your PowerPoint slides

A classic mistake presenters make, is to pack their slides full of words, which they then read to the audience. Unless your audience is very young indeed, they can read for themselves. Reading to them can be seen as annoying and slightly insulting.

Make the most of your presentation hand-out!

The best way for your presentation to support your spoken words, is through one short message per slide and a relevant, supporting visual. Your narrative can then bring the presentation to life using the terminology and examples which your audience relate to.

How to make presentations more visual… and why you should

If you can make presentations more visual – your audience will thank you Our senses are “on” all the time. Touch, taste, hearing, sight and smell: the five senses through […]

Can flexible working increase productivity?

The current office environment – typically getting to the office at 9am, staying til 5.30pm, working in an open-plan office, and spending most of the day sitting still – is about the least productive environment we could possibly create. That’s according to scientific research…

Get your PowerPoint visuals right: get creative!

Visuals are powerful - get them right! The danger, if you use an irrelevant or inappropriate visual, is that it will distract and confuse – basically doing more harm than good. Rather than adding depth and clarity, the wrong visual could send your audience wandering off on a completely unrelated trains of thought. 

How many slides is best for a presentation?

If you need advice on how many slides you should have in your deck. Think about it from an engagement point of view. Audiences would rather see 30 light slides that you move through quickly (keeping things more interesting for them), than 10 slides that are chock full of data and that don't seem to ever move on... Don't fear the count. Fear what's on them!

How much do people remember from a presentation?

There have been various studies conducted on this, and the most generous results we’ve seen are as follows: Immediately after the presentation, the audience remembered 50% of what was said By the next day, the audience remembered 25% A week later, the audience remembered just 10%

Using stories in PowerPoint boosts memory (part 1 of 2)

Structure your PowerPoint presentations with stories and your audience is more likely to follow, understand and remember your message – and they’re more likely to enjoy it too!

Harness the power of Stories in presentations to help audiences recall your presentation (part 2 of 2)

Start your presentation with a story about how a certain problem is relevant. Ideally this is a problem that affects your audience, this way you grab attention and engage with emotions immediately. Using further anecdotes and stories throughout brings each point more vividly to life.

How do you make PowerPoint more visual?

If your presentation is full of slides packed with bullet points and blocks of text, your audience’s attention will drift and you risk losing them, perhaps for good. A picture is worth a thousand words. So we must make PowerPoint more visual. Visual information is 3 times easier to remember than spoken info.

How to avoid giving a boring presentation!

Here's the lowdown on how to avoid giving a boring presentation... Most of us have attended a boring presentation, and if we are truly honest many of us will have also given a boring presentation at some point in our careers! Read our Top 8 Tips for advice on how to avoid a boring presentation.

Discover what our expert Powerpoint Design Agency can do for you

Fill in this form or call us +44 (0)800 246 1373 (freephone from UK).