Beginning Graphic Design: Color

In this video, you’ll learn the basics of using color in graphic design. Visit www.gcflearnfr... for our text-based lesson.
This video includes information on:
• Hue, saturation, and value
• Creating monochromatic, analogous, and other color schemes
• Avoiding common color mistakes
• Choosing the right color
• Finding inspiration
We hope you enjoy!

[@poppyfloppy7661]

I took a colour theory course in college, and this video is almost equal to one semester long worth of lessons, great job!

[@vicky7344]

Thank God, I didn't attend the Graphic design school, trying to self learn.. :)

[@pegasusearl]

ME TOO

[@BeHappyNoMatterWhat]

I took color theory too! It was mostly focused on seeing and mixing colors with paint. Not really the theory :( I never even learned this stuff in my class! #sad

[@NathMainA99]

college would be more detailed

[@Banana-cc5rx]

That's the thing about schools.. they can spend months just to teach something that can be summarise into an hour. But schools do provide actual teaching and fixing while self taught you don't aside from good critics

[@tsumugi1654]

When youtube algorithm finally gives you something good

[@ATERAH]

Yes

[@wirasetiawan81]

yesss

[@Laverntempleton]

this music? yes. this content? indeed. I'm just nodding my head, smiling and learning. how education should be!

[@reeya6858]

Exactly, i was doing the same

[@turolretar]

Except you’re really aren’t learning anything when watching videos like that

[@mnmess]

this video literally makes me want to cry?? for some reason, when someone tries to explain something to me and they start explaining every little detail and they say so many things and names and... jesus, i can't keep up. as stupid as it sounds, my head literally hurts and i give up paying attention. it's frustrating because it makes me feel as if i'm never gonna be able to learn anything. but this video... God, this video makes it so simple and precise. it's easy to keep up and i ACTUALLY understood what you were saying! it's so releaving. thank you so much! as a graphic design student who really has a hard time understanding color theory and every other design concept, this channel is just pure gold. thanks so much ❤️❤️

[@GCFLearnFree]

We're so glad to hear we've been able to help you!

[@simpleliving611]

❤❤same here

[@bamkparto]

I can't even describe how pleasing is to watch this.... It's like music and dance... Thank you!!

[@mauraoreilly9533]

I agree! I shared it, not just for the info but it's so relaxing. :)

[@anastasiakate6094]

Miklo and her voice is so satisfying

[@maryocecilyo3372]

it's so catchy

[@Hiruma_]

This video is just sooo well-produced.. thank you!

[@bgimusic]

Hiruma. forreal

[@michellel1383]

Not only is this video bursting with knowledge, it is delightful to watch. I have 13 years of of experience under my belt, but still found it full of gems and inspiration. Thank you for creating this!

[@GCFLearnFree]

You are very welcome, Michelle. We're glad to hear you're enjoying our Beginning Graphic Design videos!

[@rukeyburg1084]

At first I really thought that this was some basic knowledge, but I really liked the way I felt in the end! It seems to be that color theory can really expand into the workfield of a designer. Really like those formula’s!

[@pieminator6969]

I'm not kidding when I say I just finished my first degree in Graphic Design and we had NO COLOR CLASS what so ever. Please keep making excellent videos like this one, Those 6 and a half minutes taught me a lot.

[@guapisimopro4780]

:o

[@patricktsai2303]

In a nutshell, this video taught me everything my graphic design teacher taught in 6 months in just 10 minutes or so, amazing!

[@julianperry4767]

Feels like this free 6 minute video of color saved me from community college courses. I'm creating artworks and digital NFTs and this is a tremendous help. Thank you :)

[@GCFLearnFree]

Glad it was helpful!

[@snappylens6726]

i discovered a passion for graphic design while nearing the completion of my marketing undergrad and because my school won't let me take graphic design classes if i'm not in the program, i've decided to teach myself. reading through the comments, it looks this is nearly a course in color theory - so well produced, i'm so glad youtube led me here!

[@DavidLarsonCDNIS]

This is really well done. The wealth of information is all the more understandable thanks to the animations. The voice over is well paced and just the right tone. I'll be sharing this with my design students first thing Monday morning. Thanks!

[@GCFLearnFree]

We're so glad to hear it. Thanks for using us in your classroom!

[@Radishals]

GCFLearnFree.org I also subscribed! Since I'm going to be a future graphic designer.

[@ChrisHanline]

Every element of these videos are so well done! As a designer, this makes me want to share this with the people I work closely with that don't have the designer role, so they can get a better understanding of the work I do, the attention to detail I give, and why it all matters. Great work, and thank you!

[@kgibbsy]

I'm on the second episode of this little intro to Graphic design and I just wanted to say that so far they are excellent! So everything is so incredibly well explained and no boring waffling or unnecessary filler. Also the narrator has a really nice voice!

[@ChicoAzevedo]

I have almost 20 years working as a Designer, but i still learning from the basics. Thanks. Amazing production on this video.

[@danieladeyinka]

The animations and explanations were perfect. I could not find any fault with this whatsoever, please keep em coming!

[@420Sumanta]

This is what I would like to show my clients before they tell me their color scheme like "The app should be all in blue and orange"

[@danieldeng1976]

Sumanta B blue and orange could look really good

[@AerisTF2]

dan denfe and whats about yellow and red? I bet you cant do anything looking nice with it...

[@AerisTF2]

dan denfe wow :o

[@BuwuchiYT]

NEXUS macdonald

[@evanparcon]

Sumanta B 😂

[@ChloeTNT]

Don’t mind me, just an 11 year old that started homeschooling trying to teach them self’s graphic designs. These videos help so much and are actually fun to watch! Also these videos are learning one semester in school in 6 minutes! Thank you and keep up the great work!

[@jasonv9951]

I have never been good at putting colors together, and now I have an exceptional starting point. Thank you for publishing this!

[@charleswest2556]

Thanks so much for this! I am a graphic designer and art director, and I've never heard color explained so thoroughly and simply before. You literally just took an entire semester of my school's color class and summed it up in less than 10 minutes. Again, thanks so much.

[@maimustafafr]

This is so beautifully and simply explained. Thank you very much. Waiting for more design videos. :)

[@sheluvando]

May Mustafa c

[@alyo7774]

It is probably a strange thing to say, but a video devoted to explain the colors has such a pleasant design. It is very satisfying to watch it, the voice actor is great as well.

[@Surreal-K404]

Why did I learn more from this than my degree? 💀

[@BX5BT]

with so many possibilities and different rules, it feels like you can pretty much pick out any colors and adjust saturation and value to somehow make them work well together

[@00fabian7]

Great videos! The crisp animation complements the clear and concise manner of explanation. A lot of effort goes into these videos and it shows. They help tremendously in my aim to create better data visualisation within my field of study (data science). Keep up the good work, I'll be sure to keep an eye out for updates.

[@michellel1383]

I'm a data visualization designer and could not agree with you more!

[@Dravyaguna]

HATS OFF to the Creators, Video Editors and the Main Person behind this excellent tutorial in such a short span.

[@warpatato]

I'm sorry I can't resist: hue... HUEHUEHUEHUEHUEHUEHUE

[@pixelandbracket]

Very well done! Actually learned a lot that I'm going to apply

[@dovetailentertainment]

This has to go down as one of the single greatest vids of value on KZbin that could help anyone understand/see the world of color differently. 👨‍🎨🙌😎

[@sunshibe8811]

I was just struggling with a color pallette for my drawing, KZbin recommended me this in a right time! This is an amazing video! I learned a lot!

[@ramengirll]

Finally someone who explained the color theory in a simplified manner. Thankyou so much!

[@artmx47]

Best video on the matter, clear and concise. Coming from a colorblind person, thank you very very much!

[@dumbgayenby]

Don’t mind me, just a 13 year old trying to teach myself graphic design

[@chedgatchalian8401]

you can do it. i was at your age when i first started graphic and video editing. now im a broadcasting student already.

[@poppy.901]

Good luck! I’m around the same age, and I am a webcomic artist in making. Let’s both work hard to meet our goals.

[@NastyCrimeBoy]

Never hurts to take a step back and look at the basics again. Really well done.

[@jensenraylight8011]

this is the most important color theory video on whole internet rich information and the most important is its simple enough to understand, i read book about color theory, but never understand how those color wheel work in real life, it provides with bad example and use many of unnecessary jargon but this video make me understand just in 6 minute how those monochromatic, triadic, analogous etc work, i wish my former university teach me this way from begining

[@KathleenBurgess]

This taught me more about colour than a whole semester of grade 9 art class!

[@angieflores2153]

I once saw somebody who would turn their workspace to b&n just to see the contrast, that’s how he made sure the subject would stand out

[@riyasingh5738]

A video informative enough to make someone get started with Designing as a new career altogether!

[@yaracristiane7230]

Woooow my gosh! I always thougt that blue and orange are very nice when put together, and now I know why. It blow my mind, it's beautiful. Thank you sooo much!

[@AnujSharma-yr4rp]

3+ years later, still the best video on color theory! Thanks for this!

[@tahirk8879]

I'm really grateful to you guys for making this video. You just earned yourself a staunch subscriber. :)

[@ReiReiArts]

I learned more from this 6 and a half minute KZbin video than I did from my university color theory class.

[@advaitsingh8074]

Wow, this is better than any lesson a teacher has taught me. Time to binge watch this channel!

[@Azbasaeed]

I’m only an age from 1-13 and I want to be a graphics designer and this helps me soooooo much. Can’t wait to tell my fave art teacher 👩‍🏫 😊❤❤❤

[@GCFLearnFree]

That's awesome!

[@davechristianmagnomillena419]

I really don't know about this so called "color combination" but thanks to you ma'am, I learned.

[@vcthnp]

at least this video sounds fantastic *cries in colorblindness*

[@sahinmia6870]

The Best video on color theory for beginner i found in internet ever. Thank a lot

[@priscillaalendy990]

Thank God for this channel. I love design and stuff, but have always been afraid to use color. Now i feel more comfortable.

[@asmartbajan]

4:15 In some circumstances, it can actually be _desirable_ to have a vibrating effect. So, it's best not to be too stick to that rule too rigidly. Very educative video, though!

[@SM-tc6tl]

This was so simple and fabulously explained! I took several art classes and was only taught the complementary color formula--didn't even know there was more to it! Thank you, this video was helpful!

[@moseskarunia]

As a person who is starting to learn about design, i find this super valuable.

[@milangupta4674]

Excellent education, free for all! This is what the internet is meant to doo. In love with these videos!!!

[@Chulbuli100]

I have shared this video with my team mates we r into graphic designing course. And this is the best video ever on color scheme. Animations, explanations audio all r awesomely done...😘😘😘😘

[@GCFLearnFree]

Hi Ahamadhi! Wow, thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We are so happy you found our video useful and our sharing us with your team mates! Have a great day!

[@Emehartsss]

This is so fraking amazing. So simple, yet well-explained. Thank you!

[@AndrewWatsonPiano]

I've always struggled with colors, and this video gave me a dozen things to help me improve. Love your series and thank you for posting them for free.

[@GCFLearnFree]

You are so welcome!

[@jayreambonanza1991]

I am a graphics designer and I mistakenly colored a word green when in fact, the client wants red. I have red-green color blindness and this helped me a lot.

[@purple455]

even though i knew everything in this video- i kept on watching because it's just that pleasing to watch.

[@elevate7419]

loved the simplicity with which this video was made, it was almost a perfect video tutorial I have not learned to just about colours but also how to make a good video

[@thechisensei]

this is when writing, graphic design and motion design works together seamlessly!! :) GREAT JOB GUYS! :)

[@abdulrazzakbawidani4573]

This video is the most helpful video on the KZbin for designer

[@Zedd1500]

Fantastic, interesting and very useful. Brilliant job! Thanks very much! Keep up the great work! You've got a fan for life!

[@Francisco23997]

The best video about color theory that I've seen so far. Thank you so much!

[@ennykraft]

I'm a graphics designer and teach PowerPoint (among lots of other things) and this was a delight to watch. Thank you!

[@MayurPanghaal]

Learnt more than all the books ive ever read. Thanks.

[@maddyv5948]

Every time you say "hue", my mind subconsciously fills in the blank with a "Jackman" 😄

[@designdaddy4112]

i just saw 1 min of this and i subscribed! I am particularly interested in "Beginning Graphic Design " playlist. Please make more on this :) Awesome colors by the way it totally changed my mood. Thank you :) :)

[@MISMEEHAN]

The best color Theory I ever have seen .

[@shinom0ri]

Straight forward and comprehensive, yet easy to understand. Best video on colour I've seen to date

[@ho.chicken.maniac]

So simple, but great lesson!!! Love you guys, I always wandering on color palette but i think that I can handle it now!! Thank you!

[@kieronschofield6679]

Forgot my headphones so I just watched this without sound, and wow! Very clear and visually appealing. This helped me so much in picking the right colours for my website!

[@rohithpadikkal7082]

My favorite colour combination is gray and green. It doesn't seem to be used that often but I just love how the two colours compliment each other (especially depending on how vibrant the green is) Like, imagine deep gray walls with vibrant green plants placed nearby.

[@abbykrich8]

Wow....for the first time in my life that I have learnt about color theory. This is such a great education of art. Thank you for this very well done VDO.

[@jordanzish]

This is actually really well done. Far more intuitive than the way I was taught. Nice animation as well.

[@rookiekookie3655]

It's an amazing video! My teacher used it in class to explain about the use of colors in design. The funny part was at 0:39. There was a major freak out when we saw that the colors don't match with the colors of Hogwarts Houses XD

[@kottonkandy0962]

Just got this random video inside my recommendations. I’ve never watched any videos about graphic design, and I’m not planning on being a graphic designer in the future, but I like the way that this video is produced and made. Well narrated as well, well done!

[@KirbyMArt]

I come back to watch this video every month just to remember what I’ve forgotten. Super helpful

[@GCFLearnFree]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lennydsouza94]

This video is so calming.. I love everything about it!! Please keep posting more! Thank you.. :)

[@Sar4hhh86]

I loved the typography one and you won me for real when you posted the colors of the Hogwarts Houses!

[@sohail3856]

Sara Dantas

[@jaycesmith1723]

Honestly this made 10x more sense then the college art class i took on color theory. Honestly word of advice you younglings from a repeat college dropout for multiple majors... Don't go to college until you already know most of what you will learn in college because very few teachers style of teaching will make sense, some wont teach you at all and some wont even try to help if you don't understand. Also community college before 4 years, 4 year schools arent better and a lot of times they are worse because they are for profit and care more about how to charge you more money than ensuring good education. In fact i would say work a little first, you can still apply for financial aid later on you don't have to rush. If people can go to college in their 80s you can take the time to experience life outside of school and gain world experience which is more valued and important in the labor market right now than a college degree... Its a lesson I learned to late because no one told me it could be that way..

[@TheAdminstrator9905]

Thank you so much for this. Plain language and pleasing tone of voice makes learning things so much easier.

[@ObesePuppies]

All artist should study color.. You'll be surprised how much knowing how to match colors will help you in your art projects. Sadly they dont teach color in most art schools

[@laymansmarketing5111]

I literally own a design agency, and if we focused more on the basics in this video, we'd probably produce work twice as good in half the time.

[@zulfkr197]

I am very grateful for making this video.

[@makalacc]

4:18 I was on full brightness and felt attacked haha , "Sorry" really proves how good you are at understanding how colors affect people. Love these videos !

[@user-jh4yt6gy2m]

This video: exists Me: using the pallets on the imaginary computer for my work Also me: gives it to the color teacher Color teacher: I have no choice, here is your A+ Me: 😎 Find it a 5:35

[@GCFLearnFree]

Hi! We are glad to hear that! ;)

[@donl.a.6045]

I screen shot everything from your videos, for me to have a source every time I design, Hope that's not cheating.. Kkk.. Great Job guys!!!!!!!!

[@ameya5300]

The BEST video on Color theory that I have browsed through on KZbin!!

[@timbonnarens]

These animations on a whole new level.

[@maliboo4901]

honestly thank you so much for making this video. even attempting to color anything can be so scary to me but this helped make sense of it

[@skydarkbomber1728]

Colorblind people: _interesting_

[@ivoryontrack]

I suddenly have a much more clearer understanding of color. Something I didn’t know I would need!

[@angelosa.3178]

Love how i studied graphic design , and this 6 minute video explains a whole semester easily in a snap :D . Great video, thanks!

[@lolpace312]

4:16 Every graphic designers nightmare (pls don't do that)

[@NinjaTxGaming]

Thank you very much for making this video! Very pleasing video for learning as everything, both the video and voice-over, is very clear. Every animation, transition looks very smooth. Animation details really help to understand what is being said as sometimes only listening is not enough! Some of the details, like the clown sticking out on triadic color scheme helps to memorize that the color scheme can be striking. Animation, which follows the voice-over helps to catch the idea when you talk about the tetradic color scheme. Dominant color is being represented by making it larger on the preview. What a great idea! I missed some more information about every color scheme individually. There was a brief, one sentence, information about the color scheme as not technical but practical side (where, how to use it), however I felt that this was not enough from the practical side.

[@GCFLearnFree]

Thanks for your thoughtful comments! We're glad to hear you enjoyed the video :)

[@csspen2783]

I love watching your videos for animations inspiration

[@ThatsJustKarin]

This video by far has the simpliest and best from of showing color theory using the color wheel. Thank you so much!

[@Littlechicken11]

Now I need to watch this another 10 times before it sticks!

[@marlorichard2336]

Fantastic explanation in a very short video! Very well done.

[@angelgracesison6967]

Beautiful man, you're the only one who could help me, I watched 8 videos and yours was the only one that saved me

[@GCFLearnFree]

No problem 👍