This is one presentation in a series for PowerPoint instruction in the classroom. Topic: Color

1. Principles of
PowerPoint Design
Tips on how to think like a designer
The Ways of Color
John Consultant
Presentation Skills
Fallon

2. How Colors Speak… Loud, Bold, Strong
These colors shout. All these colors make a big
impact. Used on
billboards, commercials, advertising and
posters, they send messages loud and fast. Most
people begin their color thinking here, where
color is at its purest. Even though the visual
differences may be slight, subtle gradations help
create blends.

3. How Colors Speak… Basic Middle Tones
These colors speak in normal, conversational
tones. Midrange colors work well for everyday
use. When you’ve chosen your full-strength
colors, these middle colors are the next place to
look. These hues convey the same feelings as
strong colors but less intense. Try to develop a
mental image of 50% value, fixing it in your
memory, so as to explore both the stronger and
paler values.

4. How Colors Speak… Soft, Gentle, Pastel
These colors whisper. Life’s most important
communiqués are said in low voice. You often
tend to give your full attention to a soft-spoken
messenger. In any spoken language, a whisper
can be very effective. Though the palest tints may
be difficult to see alone, they are essential to any
artists palette.

5. About the Color Wheel
Hues
(true color)
Tints
(percentage of
white added to
a hue)
Shades
(percentage of
black added to
a hue)

6. Color
• Color is crucial
• Communicates type of presentation
• Color is divided into 4 parts:
– Reds
– Yellow
– Green
– Blues

7. Warm or Cool
Warm Colors Excite the Eyes Cool Colors Soothe the Senses
Coral Mauve Cyan Lime
Orange Magenta Sky Blue Leaf Green
Amber Crimson Ultramarine Sea Green
Gold Scarlet Violet Emerald
Yellow Poster Red Purple Teal
Right Brain Colors Left Brain Colors

8. Overview of the Reds…
• All of the reds attract attention, charge
the emotions and urge action
• The life force of blood that flows
through our bodies comes in a variety
of reds, making these the most personal
of colors and the most important to
artists
• Reds consist of:
Mauve, Magenta, Crimson, Scarlet and
Poster Red

9. Overview of the Yellows…
• Fire, excitement, warmth, energy
and imagination are the essence of
these hues, making them essential
in any artists palette
• The yellows are also associated
with intangible concepts and the
spirit that harmonizes one’s energy
and balance in the world
• Yellows include:
Coral, Orange, Amber, Gold and

10. Overview of the Greens…
• Consider green as a primary color of
the palette
• Use more greens to put life in your
color schemes… all different hues
• Each has a different flavor by itself and
when used in combination with other
colors
• Greens include: Lime, Leaf Green, Sea
Green, Emerald and Teal

11. Overview of the Blues…
• The most common sense, practical hues
of the spectrum begin with Cyan, the
color of science and high technology
and go through Purple, the grand
sovereign
• Blues are logical reasonable and fair
• Blues seldom evoke negative responses
• Blues include: Cyan, Sky
Blue, Ultramarine, Violet and Purple

12. Creating Palettes… Monochromatic
Using variations of the same color will create a striking palette. Add black, white and
shades of gray to create contrast. Select colors with a wide range of tints and shades.
Earthy
R 72 101 144
G 107 141 193
B 28 43 62
Strong
R 72 101 144
G 107 141 193
B 28 43 62

13. Creating Palettes… Analogous
Selecting colors that are touching creates a narrow, harmonious color scheme. This
color scheme provides a warm or cool feeling depending upon where they fall on the
wheel.
Powerful
R 136 196 198
G 20 22 68
B 119 28 31
Calm
R 0 0 136
G 172 175 198
B 179 113 91

14. Creating Palettes… Complementary
Selecting colors from opposites on the color wheel creates the most contrast. Limit to
only two colors but don’t allow them to clash.
Athletic
R 202 0
G 108 84
B 24 150
Feminine
R 191 188
G 86 211
B 139 87

15. Creating Palettes… Split Complementary
A variation of complementary, the split complementary uses two colors on either side
of a complementary color. This combination has high contrast with low tension.
Regal
R 84 206 92
G 39 138 160
B 133 20 56
Retro
R 47 241 246
G 179 86 150
B 202 79 84

16. Creating Palettes… Triadic
Three colors equally spaced around the color wheel create vivid interest. This can be
modified by using a light tint or a dark shade of one of the three colors instead of the
pure hue. Palettes created can either be bold or refined.
Inviting
R 0 123 206
G 124 10 128
B 128 107 20
Playful
R 13 208 252
G 124 63 238
B 193 65 33

17. Creating Palettes… Tetradic
Tetradic offers visual contrast. It uses two airs of complementary colors. Pick a
dominate color and use the three remaining colors for support.
Spirited
R 0 127 138 202
G 82 125 13 103
B 149 55 16 32
Healthy
R 103 144 199 192
G 163 193 77 104
B 189 62 31 138

18. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Mauve- Violet Red
Psychology:
Bold
Stylish
Worldly
Impressive
Somber
Related Hue- Coral…
Opposing Hue- Lime
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

19. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Magenta- Process Red
Psychology:
Romantic
Enchanting
Sensitive
Optimistic
Related Hue- Orange…
Opposing Hue- Leaf Green
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

20. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Crimson- Carmine
Psychology:
Powerful
Aggressive
Dynamic
Dramatic
Related Hue- Amber…
Opposing Hue- Sea Green
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

21. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Scarlet- Apple Red
Psychology:
Bright
Believable
Vivid
Positive
Effective
Related Hue- Gold…
Opposing Hue-Emerald
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

22. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Poster Red- Banner Red
Psychology:
Popular
Dangerous
Exciting
Loud
Related Hue- Yellow…
Opposing Hue- Teal
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

23. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Coral- Red Orange
Psychology:
Wild
Fiery
Passionate
Glorious
Explosive
Related Hue- Mauve…
Opposing Hue- Cyan
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

24. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Orange- Vermilion
Psychology:
Tangy
Tempting
Lively
Zesty
Tart
Related Hue- Magenta…
Opposing Hue- Sky Blue
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

25. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Amber- Yellow Gold
Psychology:
Mellow
Abundant
Fertile
Prosperous
Contented
Related Hue- Crimson…
Opposing Hue- Ultramarine
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

26. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Gold- Warm Yellow
Psychology:
Joyful
Sunny
Rich
Lavish
Uncertain
Related Hue- Scarlet…
Opposing Hue- Violet
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

27. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Yellow- Process Yellow
Psychology:
Exciting
Inspiring
Sour
Anxious
Sharp
Related Hue- Poster Red…
Opposing Hue- Purple
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

28. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Lime- Yellow Green
Psychology:
Young
Fresh
Naïve
Sharp
Lively
Related Hue- Cyan…
Clean Opposing Hue- Mauve
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

29. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Leaf Green- Basic Green
Psychology:
Natural
Dependable
Safe
Secure
Healthy
Related Hue- Sky Blue…
Opposing Hue- Magenta
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

30. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Sea Green- Blue Green
Psychology:
Mature
Strong
Urbane
Moving
Restless
Related Hue- Ultramarine…
Opposing Hue- Crimson
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

31. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Emerald- Viridian
Psychology:
Brilliant
Beautiful
Expensive
Wise
Eternal
Related Hue- Violet…
Opposing Hue- Scarlet
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

32. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Teal- Turquoise
Psychology:
Primitive
Intuitive
Ancient
Aesthetic
Sharp
Related Hue- Purple…
Opposing Hue- Poster Red
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

33. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Cyan- Process Blue
Psychology:
Sharp
Clean
Cold
Hard
Analytical
Related Hue- Lime…
Intelligent Opposing Hue- Coral
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

34. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Sky Blue- Azure
Psychology:
True
Honest
Good
Calm
Clean
Related Hue- Leaf Green…
Peaceful Opposing Hue- Orange
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

35. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Ultramarine- Royal Blue
Psychology:
Fabulous
Compassionate
Stately
Moving
Soulful
Related Hue- Sea Green…
Opposing Hue- Amber
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

36. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Violet- Indigo
Psychology:
Moody
Serious
Thoughtful
Quiet
Reflective
Related Hue- Scarlet…
Opposing Hue- Gold
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

37. 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
% Black added for shade
Purple- Red Violet
Psychology:
Grand
Regal
Leader
Superior
Majestic
Related Hue- Teal…
Opposing Hue- Yellow
% White added for tint
0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

38. Black, White and Grays
• The achromatic hues black and white, are
used to add shape, shadow, depth, and detail
• Black produces shades of gray
• Colors are the first dimension, tints are the
second
• Blacks and grays are the third dimension
• Black makes colors brighter
• Grays increase the contrast between colors

39. Here come the Browns…
• Most difficult color to reproduce
• Brown is based from Orange
• Used for “Earthy” feels

40. Black
• Formal
• Doesn’t influence
ambient lighting
• Doesn’t work well for
handouts
• Fewer opportunities for
shadows
• For Large venues
• Objects can glow

41. White
• Informal
• Has a bright feeling
• Illuminates the room
• Works well for handouts
• For smaller venues
• No opportunity for
dramatic lighting or
spotlights on elements

42. Choosing Your Colors
• Determine your background color
• Make sure the colors you choose contrast with
the background color
Dark room? Light room? Ambient light?
Great projector?
Dark background, Light background,
Med. background,
Light text Dark text
light and dark text

43. Creating Your Palette
• Select 3 to 5 core colors plus a neutral and
highlight color
• Experiment with tint and shade
• Neutral colors often serve as background
elements
• Neutrals can also be used in data charts and
diagrams as secondary information
• Neutrals can be shades or tints of the
background color

44. Creating Your Palette
• Highlight accentuates text and create
emphasis in charts and infographics
• When you’ve selected your palette, choose
light and dark tones of the color set (this will
help select the degree of gradients)

45. Last Minute Tips About Color…
• Use “cool” colors for backgrounds and / or
foreground elements
• Use “hot” colors for foreground elements
• If you use a “hot” color as a background color,
reduce the saturation by adding more gray so it
doesn’t appear so “hot”
• Don’t use an all white background for a
presentation
• Test the presentation on the screen that you’ll use

46. Last Minute Tips About Color…
• Avoid using the combination of red and green…
many are color blind to this combination
• Don’t use RED in a financial presentation unless
showing data
• True colors are determined by either the computer
screen or the projector you use
• Focus color schemes on the presentation objective
• Make sure the color scheme will appeal to your
audience

47. Last Minute Tips About Color…
• Fit the color scheme to the corporate image
• Keep your palette to no more than 5 colors
• Create your own color scheme
• Use complementary colors- colors on the opposite
side of the color wheel
• Use a color wheel to choose your colors
• Match color to your message
• The best contrast is light text on a dark background
• Use a dark text on a light background

48. For More Information and Tools…
• Slide:ology by Nancy Duarte
• Color Bytes by Jean Bourges
• The Designer’s Guide to Color Combinations by
Leslie Cabarga
• Pixie by Nattyware… a free eyedropper tool at:
www.nattyware.com
• Color Cop by Jay Prall… another free eyedropper
tool at: http://colorcop.net
• Kuler by Adobe… an online color picker at:
http://kuler.adobe.com