Course outline
Module 1
Module 1: Understanding the Colour Wheel
Understanding the Colour Wheel
Knowledge check
Q1. What are the three primary colours on the colour wheel?
- A. Red, Blue, Green
- B. Red, Yellow, Blue ✓
- C. Yellow, Green, Blue
- D. Red, Orange, Yellow
Why: The three primary colours on the colour wheel are red, yellow, and blue. These colours cannot be created by mixing other colours and are the foundation for all other colours.
Q2. Which of the following is a secondary colour?
- A. Red
- B. Green ✓
- C. Yellow
- D. Blue
Why: Secondary colours are created by mixing two primary colours. Green is a secondary colour, made by mixing blue and yellow.
Q3. What is the name of the colour scheme that uses three colours that are evenly spaced on the colour wheel?
- A. Complementary
- B. Analogous
- C. Triadic ✓
- D. Monochromatic
Why: A triadic colour scheme uses three colours that are evenly spaced on the colour wheel, forming a triangle.
Q4. Which of the following is a tertiary colour?
- A. Red
- B. Blue
- C. Orange ✓
- D. Green
Why: Tertiary colours are created by mixing a primary colour with a secondary colour. Orange is a tertiary colour, formed by mixing red (primary) and yellow (secondary).
Q5. What is the purpose of the colour wheel in design?
- A. To create confusion
- B. To help choose harmonious colours ✓
- C. To increase contrast unnecessarily
- D. To limit the use of colour
Why: The colour wheel is a tool used in design to help choose harmonious and balanced colour combinations.
Module 2
Module 2: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Colours
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Colours
Knowledge check
Q1. What are the three primary colours?
- A. Red, Blue, Yellow ✓
- B. Red, Green, Blue
- C. Yellow, Orange, Green
- D. Blue, Purple, Pink
Why: The primary colours are the foundational colours from which all other colours are made. In the traditional colour model, these are red, blue, and yellow.
Q2. What colours are formed when you mix two primary colours together?
- A. Tertiary colours
- B. Secondary colours ✓
- C. Complementary colours
- D. Monochromatic colours
Why: Mixing two primary colours creates secondary colours. For example, red and yellow make orange.
Q3. What is a tertiary colour?
- A. A colour formed by mixing a primary and a secondary colour ✓
- B. A colour formed by mixing two secondary colours
- C. A colour formed by mixing three primary colours
- D. A colour formed by mixing black and white
Why: Tertiary colours are created by mixing a primary colour with a secondary colour. Examples include red-orange and blue-green.
Q4. Which of the following is a secondary colour?
- A. Red
- B. Blue
- C. Green ✓
- D. Yellow
Why: Secondary colours are formed by mixing two primary colours. Green is formed by mixing blue and yellow.
Q5. How many tertiary colours are there?
Why: There are six tertiary colours, each formed by mixing a primary colour with a secondary colour.
Module 3
Module 3: Complementary Colour Harmonies
Complementary Colour Harmonies
Module 4
Module 4: Analogous Colour Schemes
Analogous Colour Schemes
Knowledge check
Q1. What is an analogous colour scheme based on?
- A. Three colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel
- B. Three colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel ✓
- C. Two colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel
- D. Two colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel
Why: An analogous colour scheme is based on three colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel, creating a harmonious and cohesive look.
Q2. Which of the following is an example of an analogous colour scheme?
- A. Red, Green, Blue
- B. Blue, Blue-Green, Green ✓
- C. Red, Yellow, Blue
- D. Red, Orange, Blue
Why: Blue, Blue-Green, and Green are adjacent on the colour wheel, making them an example of an analogous colour scheme.
Q3. How many main colours are typically used in an analogous colour scheme?
- A. Two
- B. Three ✓
- C. Four
- D. Five
Why: An analogous colour scheme typically uses three main colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel.
Q4. What is the primary advantage of using an analogous colour scheme?
- A. It creates high contrast and visual interest
- B. It creates a sense of harmony and unity ✓
- C. It is ideal for creating bold and dramatic designs
- D. It is best suited for monochromatic designs
Why: The primary advantage of an analogous colour scheme is that it creates a sense of harmony and unity due to the colours being closely related on the colour wheel.
Q5. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an analogous colour scheme?
- A. It uses adjacent colours on the colour wheel
- B. It is easy to create and use in design
- C. It creates strong contrast between the colours ✓
- D. It is often used in nature and landscapes
Why: An analogous colour scheme does not typically create strong contrast between the colours, as the colours are closely related on the colour wheel.
Module 5
Module 5: Triadic Colour Combinations
Triadic Colour Combinations
Module 6
Module 6: Monochromatic Colour Use
Monochromatic Colour Use
Knowledge check
Q1. What is a monochromatic colour scheme based on?
- A. A single hue
- B. A single hue and its variations in value and saturation ✓
- C. Three primary colours
- D. Complementary colours
Why: A monochromatic colour scheme uses variations of a single hue, including different values (lightness/darkness) and saturations (intensity).
Q2. Which of the following best describes a monochromatic palette?
- A. Colours that are opposite on the colour wheel
- B. Colours that are the same hue but vary in lightness and saturation ✓
- C. Colours that are adjacent on the colour wheel
- D. Colours that are mixed with white
Why: A monochromatic palette consists of a single hue with variations in lightness and saturation, creating a cohesive and harmonious scheme.
Q3. What effect does using a monochromatic colour scheme typically create?
- A. High contrast and vibrancy
- B. A calm and unified look ✓
- C. A dramatic and bold look
- D. A chaotic and disorganized look
Why: Monochromatic schemes tend to create a calm and unified visual effect due to the use of a single hue with different values and saturations.
Q4. In a monochromatic scheme, what is the role of tints and shades?
- A. They add contrasting colours
- B. They create variations within the same hue ✓
- C. They introduce complementary colours
- D. They increase the saturation of the colour
Why: Tints and shades are used to create variations within a single hue by adding white (tints) or black (shades), which is central to a monochromatic scheme.
Q5. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a monochromatic colour scheme?
- A. Use of a single hue
- B. Variation in lightness and saturation
- C. Use of multiple hues ✓
- D. Cohesive and harmonious look
Why: A monochromatic scheme uses only one hue, so the use of multiple hues is not a characteristic of this scheme.
Module 7
Module 7: Applying Colour Harmonies in Design
Applying Colour Harmonies in Design