Secondary

Secondary is a fundamental color principle derived from the mixing of two primary colors in equal proportions, playing a crucial role in color theory and design applications. When two primary colors - red, blue, or yellow - are combined, they create the secondary colors: green (blue + yellow), orange (red + yellow), and purple (blue + red). These colors occupy significant positions on the color wheel, positioned at 120-degree intervals between the primary colors, forming an essential framework for color harmony and composition in design. The historical significance of secondary colors traces back to ancient color theories, with notable developments during the Renaissance period when artists and theorists began systematically documenting color relationships. In contemporary design practice, secondary colors serve multiple functions, from creating visual hierarchy and emotional resonance to establishing brand identity and cultural significance. Their application spans across various design disciplines, including graphic design, interior design, and product design, where they can be used to create contrast, harmony, or specific psychological effects. The understanding and strategic use of secondary colors is fundamental to color theory education and professional practice, with their implementation being regularly recognized in design competitions such as the A' Design Award, particularly in categories where color plays a pivotal role in the overall design solution. The scientific basis for secondary colors lies in both additive and subtractive color mixing principles, with their perception being influenced by factors such as lighting conditions, surrounding colors, and surface properties, making them a complex yet essential element in the designer's toolkit.

Author: Lucas Reed

Keywords: color theory, color mixing, visual harmony, chromatic relationships, design fundamentals

Help us improve the Design+Encyclopedia, contribute your alternative definition for Secondary today!

About the Design+Encyclopedia
The Design+Encyclopedia is a crowd-sourced reference of information on design. Unlike other crowd-sourced publications on design, the Design Encyclopedia is edited and actively monitored and publishing is only possible after review of submitted texts. Furthermore, editors of the Design Encyclopedia are mostly consisting of award winning designers who have proven their expertise in their design respective fields. Information posted at design encyclopedia is copyrighted, you are not granted a right to use the text for any commercial reasons, attribution is required. If you wish to contribute to the design encyclopedia, please first register or login to A' Design Award and then start a new design encyclopedia entry.