The color-selection process plays a significant role in user interface design. Most people think the UI color choice primarily depends on the designer’s taste and vision. However, it is much more complex than this.

Designers must learn the basics of color psychology in UI design and implement them. For this, they must know the two varied natures of color - the tangible colors (surface of objects) and the others (produced by light). 

These varieties create two color models; Additive and Subtractive. This blog has covered them extensively. Read on to learn more about them.

A Guide to Additive and Subtractive Color Models

You can give meaning to a design by harnessing the power of colors as a visual language and communicating with your audience. Check out how you can utilize these two color models for effective visual communication. 

Additive Colors

Source - Geeksforgeeks

It includes red, green, and blue and is, thus, often referred to as “RGB”. The additive color model illustrates how light interacts with the human eye to create all visible spectrum colors. The additive color begins with black. It then gradually adds the other three colors to develop the visible spectrum.

Combining all three parts of the RGB equally, you can get white light. Similarly, mixing them to their lowest value or degree can result in black color. RGB is the color scheme for digital images, and people usually use it to display the project on any screen like mobile, computers, etc. 

This model is heavily used in electronic displays like CRT, cameras, LCDs, scanners, etc. The additive scheme presents the broadest range of colors. Thus, it is the top choice in many computer softwares. Its other uses include web and app design, social media marketing, and online branding. 

Now, let’s learn about CMYK.

Subtractive Colors

Source - Geeksforgeeks

The subtractive color model includes the Cyan Magenta Yellow Key (Black) or the CMYK color scheme. It comprises the primary colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. UI designers combine them in different ways to produce varied colors. This is the preferred color scheme for projects that include printed materials. 

The subtractive color model starts with white and ends with black. It means the outcome starts becoming darker as you keep adding colors. Consider this example - when you print C, M, and Y on paper, they will absorb light. Your eyes do not get any reflected light from the paper, and thus, you will see a black color. 

You can use the CMYK color scheme on business cards, billboards, posters, flyers, etc. Additionally, designers prefer it for cloth branding like t-shirts. 

Additive vs. Subtractive Color Model: How are They Different?

You already know about these two models. But how else are they different from each other? Let’s explore them below:

How to Use Additive and Subtractive Color Models in Your Online Business?

Consider the marketing strategies and design requirements first while trying to choose a suitable color scheme for your brand. It can be enriching if you set colors after considering the differences between these models. This will be helpful if you work across various marketing collaterals, from print to digital. 

Let’s check out some ways to utilize additive and subtractive color models.

1. Brand Website

You will optimize your website to function seamlessly on different devices like smartphones and laptops. In this case, the best option will be the RGB color scheme. The illuminated media obtained through RGB colors (i.e., dark to light) makes visual navigation easier for users. 

2. Brand Catalog

Consider a scenario where you want to build a brand product catalog. The idea is to encourage users to learn more about your brand and its offerings. They can then make informed decisions by exploring the catalog thoroughly. The marketing collateral will help them understand whether they want to purchase from your business. 

Catalogs are parts of physical marketing collateral. Thus, you must use the CMYK scheme or subtractive colors, i.e., from light to dark. If you are unsure how to proceed, or if all these seem overwhelming, you can get help from a professional web designer. 

3. Brand Logo

This is where the two distinctive color models come together. A logo is the main element of your brand kit. It communicates your business objectives and mission to your potential customers. 

Thus, whatever colors you select will provide a particular meaning to the design. For example, you must optimize the logo with additive colors for digital marketing collateral. In the case of print marketing collateral, you can use subtractive colors. 

These are effective ways to use these two color models for your branding. 

The Importance of Additive and Subtractive Color Models in UI and UX Design

A user’s decision-making process takes around a minute after the first interaction with products or interfaces. Well-considered UI design color palettes, whether additive or subtractive color models, can help you significantly distinguish products from competitors. Additionally, it allows you to influence customers’ emotions and attitudes toward particular products. 

Don’t think of color as only an aesthetic element; it is more than that. Choosing a light or darker user interface can highly affect the appeal of your website and mobile app designs. It can also affect the usability level. Let’s consider this from a strategic perspective. As said above, visual appearance affects the users’ buying decisions. 

Thus, certain brands implement UI design colors into their marketing strategies. It produces effective results like better brand awareness. Designers can leverage the RGB and CMYK schemes to influence how the target audience perceives a brand. 

Thus, it is an important reason why web designers and business owners must understand the meaning and significance of different colors. They need a greater understanding of these two models and their importance. 

The Role of Colors in UI and UX Design Success

UI design is all about visuals. It focuses on the product’s look - the presentation of the features. It includes texts, pictures, buttons, checkboxes, inputs, and other visual interface elements that users interact with. Colors play integral roles in this process. This is why you should choose the best color combination for UI design. Let’s check out some essential points.

• Best experience - Designers coordinate a site or app’s concept, mood, undertone, overtone, and experience through colors. It is thus imperative they understand the additive and subtractive color models. This is because colors create harmony and make the brand distinct.

• Clarity - Appropriate colors are crucial for the product’s readability and accessibility. An excellent color palette influences navigation and interactions and offers clarity to users. 

• Designing for a Specific Gender - Men usually like bright colors, while women gravitate toward softer ones. A research-based color palette can help create a captivating app or website user interface.

• Aesthetics - Colors can enhance aesthetic appeal. Sometimes, UI designers choose a particular color as it makes a design more appealing. 

User experience (UX) is a combination of activities that aim to optimize a product for the users. They can then find it more enjoyable and effective. The UX design subject revolves around the overall feel of the interface. Thus, you must carefully use additive and subtractive colors to design an attractive, user-friendly application. Let’s understand this elaborately.

• Emotion - Different colors evoke varied emotions in people. While blue can evoke calmness, red is often associated with passion. Remember these while using the RGB scheme.

• Functionality - Colors help highlight a product’s functionalities. For instance, green is usually used for an ‘Enter’ button. Similarly, red is used mainly for the ‘Cancel’ button.

• Hierarchy - Web designers use colors to indicate hierarchy or importance. For example, a call-to-action (CTA) button usually has a brighter or bolder color, which makes it stand out on a page.

• Cultural Significance - The meanings of colors vary with cultures. One may choose black with the CMYK scheme, whereas others may not find it suitable due to cultural differences. 

Conclusion

Colors play a decisive role in UI and UX design success. They give a distinct identity to a brand, making it more attractive to the target audience. With a web design company as your business partner, you can use additive and subtractive color models efficiently. It will result in remarkable UI and UX design outcomes.