What is the color theory in UI?

Color theory is the collection of all the rules and guidelines used to communicate with users and make the interface visually appealing to the user.

Colors are categorized into the following groups:

• primary (red, blue, yellow)
• secondary (mixes of primary colors)
• tertiary (mixes of primary and secondary colors)

Colors have the following properties:

• hue: how the color appears (e.g., “is blue”)
• chroma: how pure is the color: i.e., if it has shades (black added), tints (white added), or tones (grey added)
• lighting: how pale or saturated the color appears to be

Using the colors carefully to craft an interface is an important part of user experienceUX design. Colors should make the interface visually appealing as well as offer good usability. Designers use the additive color model for screen design. In this model, red, blue and green are primary colors.

Different color schemes can be used in the design process:

1. Analogous: Use any three colors placed beside each other on the color wheel. White is added to make “high-key” analogous color schemes.

2. Monochromatic: Take one hue and create different elements using different tints and shades.

3. Complementary: Maximize contrast using opposite color pairs, i.e., blue/yellow.

4. Split-complementary: Soften contrast by adding colors to either side of the complementary color pair.

5. Triadic: Maintain harmony and make contrast higher by using three colors that are 120° apart on the color wheel

6. Tetradic: Use four colors in which there are two sets of complementary colors and choose one dominant color. Take warm and cool colors into account.

7. Square: Use four colors that are 90° apart on the color wheel.

Colors should have an overall positive impact on the user and must reflect the design.