Color Theory / Color Schemes - Part 1 of Chapter 2 from Web Graphics for Non-Designers (6/6)

Triadic

The triad approach to selecting colors involves picking from the points of an equilateral triangle within a color wheel. That is, choosing three colors that are equidistant from each other. In Photoshop, choosing triadic associates for your base color is as easy as adding or subtracting 120° from the hue value. For example, a red with hue angle of 0° should be accompanied by a green of 120° and a blue of 240°.

Triadic swatches:

For the advanced, an alternate complement is a four-hue scheme that adds a complement of one hue to a triad. Another four-hue scheme is the tetrad – four colors selected from the points of a square within a color wheel. Both are shown in the diagram below.

Alternate complement

Tetrad

Alternate Complement Example

Tetrad Example

Example: adelaide36ers.com

Screenshot:

adelaide36ers.com

The Adelaide 36ers use the bold primary colors of blue, red, and yellow, drawing directly from corporate colors.

Sites employing the contrasting colors of triadic schemes still retain some sense of harmony, while bringing a lively feel to an online presence. If you are looking for a unique theme to create a stir for the site of an illustrator, a satirical magazine, or a quirky band, then one of these color sets is definitely worth a try. Also try de-saturating colors somewhat to maintain a unique look, but with a more restrained effect.

[To be continued in part 2. -Ed.]