Additive and subtractive color models describe how color is created. They are not competing theories — rather, these models are the two most common and practical ways to create the perception of color. The basis behind these color models lies in breaking the visible light spectrum into its most dominant regions — red, green and blue. […]

Humans have always been fascinated by light-producing organisms. Biofluorescence and bioluminescence are two naturally occurring phenomena that people can observe in certain creatures that have evolved to produce or emit light. While these capabilities may seem very similar, biofluorescence and bioluminescence have unique characteristics that make them quite distinct from one another. In this post, we will discuss […]

When it comes to the appearance of color, you cannot underestimate the importance of lighting. Yet, lighting can be confusing, as much of the terminology sounds similar but has vastly different meanings. For example, two of the most widely used terms — luminance and illuminance — can be easily misunderstood and mixed up. Since lighting is an essential component […]

Color is a dominant presence in our daily lives. From the clothes we wear to the food we eat, we are constantly viewing and evaluating color. But how does light affect the colors we see? If you’ve ever noticed that your color perception changes with different light sources, then you’ve experienced a vexing phenomenon known […]

Every day you are surrounded by colors — they may inspire, motivate or remind you of something else you experienced. Because color plays such an important role in how most people experience the world, it also looms large in the human psyche. Different colors affect mood in significant ways. As a result, you can use […]

Everything You Need to Know About Dye Allergies If you’re like most people in the world, you consume or come into contact with dye on a daily basis. Food, drugs, personal care products and textiles all make use of dye to change product appearance and help with identification. In the manufacturing world, dye is a critical […]

Spectrophotometer vs. Colorimeter: What’s the Difference? Color surrounds us every moment of our lives and affects our emotions, behaviors and beliefs in large and small, conscious and unconscious ways. Color can set a mood, warn us of danger, give us critical information and even bring us joy. Despite the universal presence of color, describing it remains […]

Every object we see has color, and it is an essential part of how we interpret the world. But color isn’t an inherent quality of the objects in front of us. Consider a classic red apple. If you look at it under a blue-tinted light, it will appear somewhat blue, and if you look at […]

Color theory is all around us — in the products we use, the images we see and the nature in our backyards. Understanding color theory is critical to anyone in design, and it plays a crucial role in product development and brand imagery. Even color theory psychology is a growing trend. So what is it […]

In the past 100 years, the amount of food coloring used in food has increased drastically. This shift is due in part to manufacturers’ growing emphasis on making food look more appealing, last longer and attract as many consumers as possible. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) imposes strict regulations and standards for the […]