Introduction to Color Theory and Color Palettes

Here's a collection of links to interesting intorductory sites and articles on color theory. I have attempted to provide brief annotations for each link. Those looking for a brief introduction that can be shared in class would benefit from Claudia Cortez's Flash animation project. Although a bit elementary, it is only about 10 minutes long and introduces many important core concepts. The Poynter Institute's Installation provides the most in-depth and sophisticated introduction (for those looking for something a bit more advanced).

• Color Symbolism
  • Color in Motion (Claudia Cortes' M.A. thesis, interactive introduction to color theory and symbolism--video on primary & complimentary colors approximately 10 minutes)
  • Ponyter Institute Interactive Installation; "Color, Contrast, & Dimension in News Design" (Very cool physiological section, interesting activities (such as modify the colors on a magazine cover, rich discussion of contrast with exmamples and exercises)
  • "Color Meanings and Colors that Go Together" (Jacci Howard Bear article on About.com--particularly helpful if you are attempting to identify the meaning of a specific color)
  • Color Wheel Pro Easily digestible introduction, discusses different hues of the same color and basic symbology.
• Color Palettes
  • Adam Polselli (Color palettes, see especially "Get The Look" for sample palletes accompanied with "personality" explications)
  • "Choosing Color Combinations" (article from Design In-Flight, contains helpful links)
  • Slayeroffice Palette Generator (creates a 10 color palette)
  • Browser-Safe Color Palette Generator (256 colors)
  • The 216 Color Webmaster's Palette (allows you to see colors together online)
  • Color Palette Generator (automatically generates a palette for any uploaded image)

I keep an active del.icio.us account as I troll the web. Here's some of the links I have bookmarked for color theory / tools / tutorials: