Canva is an excellent graphic design tool often referred to as a design tool for 'non-designers.' Canva boasts a plethora of resources, numbering in the thousands, most of which many users are unaware of.
One of the most helpful tools among them, particularly for
graphics building, is the Canva Color Wheel. This feature, hidden within Canva,
significantly simplifies the design process, making it more user-friendly.
So, we request all of you to read this article from start to finish so that you can learn about what the Canva Color Wheel is and how you can elevate your graphics using it.
What is Canva?
If you don't know much about Canva, let us inform you that
Canva is a free online graphic design tool. It is an extremely user-friendly
tool designed for both new designers and non-designers.
Using Canva, you can create posters, logos, videos, and
social media posts. It offers over 100 design categories that cater to various
needs. Canva is a graphics tool that empowers even the 'unartistic' individuals
to create outstanding graphics.
Canva provides a free plan along with subscription packages
like Canva Pro and Canva for Teams. However, if you are just starting, the free
version will be quite helpful for practicing your design skills.
You can choose different fonts, graphics, and images if you
wish. Everything on the platform is categorized, making it easy to find what
you need.
If you are not comfortable with your chosen graphics or
fonts, you can check out Canva's templates. The more templates you use, the
more confident you'll feel about the aesthetics of your design. Canva offers
several other design tools not commonly found on other primary websites/apps.
Examples include the Canva Color Palette Generator and Canva Color Wheel.
If you want to use the color wheel on Canva, click here. Alternatively, you can search for Canva Color Wheel on Google.
Pro tip: If you frequently use the color palette generator, you can add it to your browser's favorites list.
Canva Interactive Color Wheel
The color wheel helps you figure out which colors will work best for your designs.
To choose the best color combinations, Canva uses color
theory. Colors that work well together are known as color harmony. This makes
using the color wheel easier and does most of the work for you.
There are two types of color wheels: the first one has red,
yellow, and blue (often referred to as RYB), and the second one has red, green,
and blue (referred to as RGB).
RYB is mainly used by artists because it uses the three
primary colors. On the other hand, RGB is better for digital platforms as it
refers to mixing light, suitable for devices like smartphones, computers, and
TV screens.
Since Canva is a digital platform, it uses the RGB color wheel.
Difference in Hue
Color wheels work with colors, allowing manipulation of
shades, tints, and tones. The color wheel operates on colors that can be
manipulated with shades, tints, and tones.
Additionally, by adjusting the saturation and luminance of
colors, you can determine how a color will appear. Saturation refers to the
intensity of the color and can give it a brighter look. Highly saturated
pigments create a more vibrant and attention-grabbing appearance. However,
using highly saturated pigments frequently in your graphic design can make your
design appear overwhelming.
On the other hand, luminance is the amount of brightness added to a color. So, the more luminance you add to a pigment, the lighter it becomes. This results in a more pastel appearance for your color.
How to Use the Canva Color Wheel
The first step in Canva's Color Wheel is to choose your
first color. You can directly pick a color and shade on the color wheel.
However, if you have a specific color in mind, you can also insert the
six-digit Hex code. Simply enter the six-digit Hex code for your chosen
specific color.
In the second step, you need to select a color combination.
For this, you can choose from complementary, monochromatic, analogous, triadic,
and tetradic options. These color combinations pair different colors together,
so they will either complement each other harmoniously or appear bold side by
side.
Choosing a color combination depends entirely on your preference or, alternatively, on your blog, brand, or personal aesthetic. For this, you can experiment with different color combinations, saturations, tones, and tints.
Color Combinations
Color combinations are typically created with two, three, or
four colors. You can add as many colors as you want in a design. However, it's
essential to remember that the more colors you add to your palette, the more
challenging it may be to use them effectively.
Colors can both make and break your design, so understanding how color combinations work can prove beneficial for graphic designs.
1. Complementary
Choosing complementary colors means placing two colors
opposite each other on the color wheel, creating a strong impact with high
contrast.
When these colors are placed together, they appear brighter and more distinct. Complementary colors are often used for simple designs and logos to attract the reader's attention effectively.
2. Monochromatic
Rather than employing only two colors, monochromatic utilizes three distinct shades. It employs a base color and adds subtle additive tones to make the three
colors work together harmoniously.
Monochromatic color designs create a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing design for your posters or social media posts with minimal effort.
3. Analogous
Analogous, unlike a monochromatic color combination where
you use slightly different shades of a base color, use three colors that are
next to each other on the color wheel.
Analogous color combinations can be visually appealing, so if you want to use them in your designs, choose one as the main color and use the other two colors as accents.
4. Triadic
Triadic colors are positioned at three equally spaced
intervals on the color wheel. It is a high-contrast color scheme but not as
much as complementary colors.
This is a more versatile color combination and creates bold and vibrant designs.
5. Tetradic
Similar to triadic colors, tetradic colors are positioned
evenly on the color wheel, but instead of three, it involves four colors.
Tetradic colors are bold and can be effective in grabbing
attention, especially when you consider one color as dominant and use the other
three as accents. It is crucial to remember that the more colors you use in
your palette, the more challenging it becomes to balance them harmoniously.
For new designers, using tetradic color palettes in their designs may not be as easy. Once you decide on the type of color combination you want and choose your colors, you can create a copy of HEX codes or click on options like 'create a graphic' or 'export palette.'
Shades, Tones, and Tints
Adding black, white, and gray tones can alter the approach
of the base color. It can make it more muted, darker, or lighter.
Shades, tones, and tints each have different meanings, so understanding them well can help you better comprehend your color theory.
Shade
If you choose black as your base color, it creates shades.
This deepens the color, creating a deep and rich appearance. When added to your
color palette, shades can be intense, so using them in moderation is advisable.
Shades work well with three-tone monochromatic color palettes. They add dimension to your graphics and can be easily read with light backgrounds.
Tint
Creating tints means adding white to the base color. This
makes the color lighter and less intense. While tints may not have the same
impact as shades, they help maintain balance in your design and color palette.
Light tints are especially suitable for regular brands or for creating soft color schemes. Tints are often seen on wedding invitations and baby shower cards.
Tones
Combining white and black creates gray, and adding this gray color to the base color creates a tone. Tones are more subtle compared to the original color. Similar to pastels, tones appear softer and can showcase different versions of the base color.
Next Steps
Identifying your color palette can be one of the best and
sometimes even a challenging part of any design. However, if you have a color
combination in mind, it's the right time to move on to your next part, and that
is creating a graphic.
Canva helps you create thousands of different graphics with
your color combination. You can choose from pre-made templates that come with
complimentary fonts. Everything on these templates is editable, so if you like
a template but not the pre-chosen fonts, you can always change them.
While choosing a personalized font can be important, selecting one from the many different fonts available can sometimes feel like a daunting task. Some fonts come with different weights and serve different purposes.
You’re Ready to Design!
Color theory and understanding its usage can significantly
enhance the professional and cohesive look of your graphic designs. As we now
know, Canva is considered an excellent tool for beginner designers, and the
Canva Color Wheel can simplify the designing process.
Canva is a powerful graphic design tool, and we hope this article has provided you with valuable insights and proven to be helpful for you. We trust that by covering this tutorial, we have effectively demonstrated how to use the Canva color wheel. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or join our WhatsApp or Telegram channel.
What is Canva, and how is it beneficial for graphic design?
Canva is a free online graphic design tool designed for both new designers and non-designers. It allows users to create posters, logos, videos, and social media posts easily. It offers over 100 design categories and empowers individuals, even those with minimal design experience, to create outstanding graphics.
What is the Canva Color Wheel, and why is it considered a helpful tool?
The Canva Color Wheel is a hidden feature within Canva that significantly simplifies the design process, making it more user-friendly. It is particularly useful for graphics building, helping users choose the best color combinations based on color theory.
How does the Canva Color Wheel work in terms of color theory?
Canva Color Wheel uses color theory to determine which colors work well together. It helps users understand color harmony by offering different color combinations such as complementary, monochromatic, analogous, triadic, and tetradic options.
What are the two types of color wheels used in Canva, and why does it use the RGB color wheel?
Canva uses two types of color wheels - RYB (red, yellow, blue) and RGB (red, green, blue). Canva, being a digital platform, uses the RGB color wheel, which is better suited for digital platforms like smartphones, computers, and TV screens.
How does the Canva Color Wheel handle differences in hue, saturation, and luminance?
The color wheel allows manipulation of shades, tints, and tones by adjusting saturation and luminance. Saturation refers to color intensity, while luminance affects brightness. Understanding these elements helps users control the appearance of colors in their designs.
What are the different color combinations available in the Canva Color Wheel, and how do they impact designs?
Canva offers color combinations like complementary, monochromatic, analogous, triadic, and tetradic. Each combination creates a different visual impact, such as high contrast with complementary colors or harmonious designs with monochromatic shades.
How can users choose and experiment with color combinations, saturations, tones, and tints in the Canva Color Wheel?
Users can choose colors directly on the wheel or insert specific Hex codes. They can experiment with different color combinations, saturations, tones, and tints based on personal preference, blog, brand, or aesthetic.
What is the significance of shades, tints, and tones in the Canva Color Wheel?
Adding black, white, and gray tones can alter the approach of the base color, creating shades, tints, and tones. Understanding these variations helps users create visually appealing and balanced designs.
How can users identify their color palette and create graphics using the Canva Color Wheel?
Identifying a color palette is crucial for design. Canva enables users to create graphics with their chosen color combinations using pre-made templates that are fully editable.
Why is understanding color theory and using the Canva Color Wheel important for graphic designers?
Color theory enhances the professional and cohesive look of graphic designs. Canva, especially with its Color Wheel, simplifies the design process, making it accessible for beginner designers.
