– By Govind Singh Rathore

Table of Contents 1. What is Color Theory? 2. The Color Wheel 3. Properties of Color 4. Color Harmony 5. Pantone Color of the Year 2025 6. Our color predictions for 2025 7. Conclusion

What is Color Theory?

Have you ever come across an indescribably beautiful piece of art that almost speaks to you, or feels like it has a body of its own? It’s probably a striking example of the right use of color theory, that makes any design or art capable of visual storytelling and invoking deep human emotions.

Color theory is a Science, if not any less than being the most important part of the design. It brings together psychology and emotions with a scientific view. It’s a very important field of art and design that artists must be aware of. By principle, color theory talks about the guidelines for color mixing, to either create new colors or color reproduction, and the knowledge of picking the right combination of colors to create a cohesive color palette.

Historically, colors have been an integral part of our cultures. Color symbolism has been widely used in art, literature, poetry, religion, dramas, anthropology (the scientific study of humanity), etc. There is a rich diversity of use of colors across various cultures and regions, and even within the same culture but over different time periods.

In this article, we’ll cover the three important aspects of color theory: the color wheel, the properties of color, and how various colors interact with each other.

The Color Wheel

Let me take you back to your primary science classes, to the famous Newton’s color wheel experiment where we used to spin the wheel as fast as a carnival ride, while the intention of learning the concept behind it was in the backseat. To reminisce, Newton’s color wheel consists of a small circular disc that is painted with all the colors, and then it is spun fast enough until all of the colors on the wheel appear to merge together to create a whitish tone.
It felt like a little wonder—proving that even the simplest things can sometimes create something extraordinary. This experiment demonstrates the additivity or the concept of color mixing, showing how various colors combine together to form the color white.

On the following lines, the experiment with glass prisms is also similar, demonstrating how white light can be split into constituent colors and vice versa.

The color wheel as we know is a visual representation of the relationship between colors. They are arranged systematically on the wheel, with each color falling into three categories: primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. This tool is used widely in fields like art, films, textiles, etc by artists to pick color schemes and visualize how different colors would look like next to each other.

1. Primary color: Primary colors are the basic building blocks of the color wheel, they are essentially the foundational colors that cannot be combined to make from any other colors. In traditional art forms, they are: Red, Yellow, and Blue. These form a triangle on the color wheel and are evenly spaced from each other. These have been used by painters and artists for dealing with paints involving pigments.

After the modern invention of colored lights, the RGB model has been widely used as the primary color combination for various screens and light-based systems. It works on 

the additive nature of light, such that all colors are made by combining these lights.

In contrast to the additive model of RGB, we have the subtractive model of CMYK, which consists of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black as the set of primary colors. This model is based on the colors subtracting or absorbing lights to different extents. It is widely used in the printing and dyeing industries, involving the physical mixing of paints or dyes.

2. Secondary color: These colors are made by mixing two primary colors in equal proportions. They are one step away from the color wheel and build upon the foundation of primary color.
   

In the traditional color model, the secondary colors are mainly,
Red + Yellow = Orange

Yellow + Blue = Green

Red + Blue = Purple

Similarly in the RGB model, the primary colors are Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow. Secondary colors sit exactly between the Primary colors on the color wheel, giving us a mid-way option or choice between two primary colors. They are widely used to create harmonious color palettes for accessories for an outfit, adding vibrancy while also balancing out them.

3. Tertiary color: These colors lie between a primary and a secondary color on the color wheel. They expand and elaborate the wheel more, adding more choices for artists. They are made by mixing primary and neighboring secondary colors in equal ratios, on the traditional model there are 6 tertiary colors: magenta (red-purple), vermillion (red-orange), amber (yellow-orange), chartreuse (yellow-green), teal (blue-green), and violet (blue-purple).

Properties of Color

A color can be defined by following its 3 properties or attributes. These are preliminary for understanding color dynamics and how to play around and adjust colors to create a desired visual effect.

Hue: It is the name of the color family, or technically it is the prominent wavelength of the color. It is used for identifying a color. Red, green, and blue are all examples of hues and they can seamlessly blend into each other to create more hues like red-green, blue-green, etc.

Saturation: Also called “chroma”, it signifies the degree of intensity or purity of a color. Highly saturated colors appear vivid and sharp whereas low saturated colors seem dull. Artists often use saturation to adjust the intensity of emotions conveyed by colors, for example, a highly saturated color like neon greens looks alarming and is used for creating eye-catching statement pieces. Whereas, lowly saturated colors often create a minimal and calm feel, for example, pastel shades.

Brightness: It is also called value or luminance, characterizes the brightness or darkness of a color, or denotes the reflection and absorption levels of colors in real life. For example, if we take the hue Blue, and add white to it, it would increase the brightness of blue, making a tint of blue namely light blue. On adding black to the hue, it increases the darkness of the color, making it a shade, of dark blue. Bright colors create a positive and refreshing vibe, whereas dark colors create a mysterious and heavy vibe.

Color Harmony

Color harmony refers to the compatibility of different combinations of colors. It can be used to create unity, contrast, or balance in any composition. In music as well, harmony refers to the pleasant arrangement of notes. It categorizes colors based on how well they are together and forms the following groups:

Pantone Color of the Year 2025: Mocha Mousse

The leading global color specialist, Pantone announces its official color prediction for every year, which sways multiple industries like fashion and textiles, luxury brands, designers, and people in general. In a world that is continuously growing chaotic and disarrayed, people seek for comfort and contentment. The “evocative soft brown” color named PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse serves exactly the purpose. It is described by Pantone as a simple, comforting soft, and warm brown, that is perfect for the  “me moments” that a lot of youth yearn for in today’s hectic lifestyles. The executive director of the Pantone, Leatrice Eiseman, says the color evokes “thoughtful indulgence.”

Why Does Pantone Release a Color Prediction Every Year?

Pantone being the largest and only leading color expertise institute, sets the global trends and standards for all industries. This tradition of forecasting the COlor of the year first started in 1999, when “sky blue” was announced as the color of the year, since then this legacy has been continued and the last color of the year 2024 was “Peach Fuzz” a color of warmth and modern elegance.

The color predictions are made by experts, and they are not mere predictions but very thought-after decisions. Color experts study and analyze intensive high fashion runway trends, design marketplace, significant pop culture moments, and human psychology. Hence it is more than a trend forecast but a cultural moment that influences people’s everyday lives and choices effectively. It sets a tone for the generation, where we are, and where we aspire to go.

Significance of the Color of the Year

Pantone Color of the Year announcements aren’t just about aesthetics, they shape and form the color and design trends for the entire year throughout industries. They reflect our societal pulse, the predictions are a dream for every marketer, helping them stay on trend and keep up with the global color authority. Brands incorporate these colors for their advertising, product design, and packaging to connect with people emotionally. The color has become the go-to choice for many tech companies, interior designers, fashion designers, and related industries. The color becomes the IT color and is desired the most by people.

Pantone also collaborates with multiple leading brands to reinforce the color of the year, for this year it has collaborated with Motorola, ”connecting through technology and color”. An exclusive collection with Joybird that redefines neutrals and makes fabrics aspirational. The list goes on with the Libratone Up headphone series that features the Mocha Mousse color, Wixstudio, IPSY, Post-it, and many more. 

Our Color Predictions for 2025

While the official Pantone color of the year takes the front seat for the coming year’s color and design trends, creativity has no bounds. Exploring on similar lines, we here present our top 3 predictions for the color of this year.

Conclusion

As we step into 2025, the colors surrounding us do more than just decorate our world—they tell a story. Colors have the immense power to convey emotions and be a medium of expression. They shape industries and influence the way we see the world, driving consumer choices.

The color of 2025 reminds us to slow down and feel the warmth, in this technology-led fast-paced world. Moha Mousse definitely defines the color of warmth and self-care, the beauty in slowing down. Colors are an integral part of our day-to-day lives and the way we interact with them. From Pantone releasing its official predictions, to how boundless the creative industry is; the right colors are always going to be the leading drive for the marketplace and businesses.

A year painted with purpose is a year full of possibilities. 

Let these colors inspire you to dream bigger, live boldly, and create a brighter, more meaningful world.

FAQs

1. What is color theory, and why is it important?

Color theory is the study of how colors interact and how they can be combined to create harmonious and visually appealing designs. It is essential for artists, designers, and marketers as it helps in creating impactful visuals that evoke emotions and connect with audiences effectively.

2. What are the three main categories of colors in the color wheel?

The color wheel categorizes colors into three groups:

• Tertiary colors: Created by mixing primary and secondary colors, such as magenta and teal.

• Primary colors: Red, yellow, and blue (cannot be made by mixing other colors).

• Secondary colors: Orange, green, and purple (created by mixing primary colors).

3. What is Pantone’s Color of the Year 2025, and what does it symbolize?

Pantone’s Color of the Year 2025 is Mocha Mousse (PANTONE 17-1230), a soft, warm brown that symbolizes comfort, self-care, and thoughtful indulgence. It reflects a need for balance and tranquility in today’s fast-paced world.

4. How does the Pantone Color of the Year influence design trends?

Pantone’s Color of the Year sets global design trends across industries, including fashion, interior design, technology, and product packaging. Brands often incorporate this color in their marketing strategies to stay relevant and emotionally connect with consumers

5. What are the top trending colors for 2025, apart from Pantone’s Mocha Mousse?

The trending shades for 2025 include:

• Barely Butter: A soft, buttery yellow perfect for vintage and chic aesthetics.

• Purple Basil: A deep, moody hue symbolizing sophistication.

• Soft Pistachio Green: A refreshing, earthy green representing renewal and balance.

6. How do color properties like hue, saturation, and brightness affect design?

• Hue defines the color family, such as red or blue.

• Saturation measures color intensity, ranging from vivid to muted tones.

• Brightness or luminance refers to how light or dark a color appears. These properties allow designers to create moods, enhance contrast, and evoke specific emotions in their work.