Color Science

Definition: “The aspect of any object that may be described in terms of hue, lightness, and saturation”

Image sourced from Marabella International University Center article,
“How can colours help you in your everyday life?”

I am an artist. For me, a basic understanding of the science of color is integral to my artistic expression. I’m also a graphic designer of more than 25 years experience. Though I do have experience in online publication, my design experiences is primarily in print publication. I also have a degree in fashion design, which is where I first became interested in the science of color. My interest deepened when I began working in print publication.

There are two defining aspects of color science — the psychological impact of color and the defining science of color. In this essay, my intent is to introduce you, my readers, to the definging science of color. What is color? To begin, the general term is applied to the way light exposes the visible hue, value, and saturation of every material color we see.

“Hue” is the specific color in the rainbow spectrum; the spectrum includes every possible hue that exists. For expediency, colorists, color scientists, artists, designers, decorators, etc. refer to this material color spectrum — as opposed to the light spectrum — as the color wheel. Every hue has its place in the progression on the wheel from one to the next, to the center. “Value” is a determination of…