Reddish orange is a color between red and orange on the color spectrum. It takes its name from having noticeable amounts of both red and orange in its appearance. There are a few different names used to refer to the reddish orange color, depending on the specific shade and hue. Some common names for shades of reddish orange include coral, peach, salmon, and apricot.
Definitions of Reddish Orange
Reddish orange is not a single color but rather a range of colors between red and orange. Here are some key things to know about the characteristics of reddish orange:
– It is made by combining red and orange in different proportions. More red yields a redder reddish orange. More orange makes it more orange-ish.
– The hue is somewhere between red and orange – around 15-45 degrees on the color wheel.
– The saturation tends to be high – very vivid and intense rather than muted.
– Lightness can range from light to medium-dark.
– In color models like RGB and CMYK, reddish orange is created by having both red and orange components present.
So in summary, reddish orange refers to vibrant, intense colors that have clear presence of both red and orange in them. The specific name depends on the shade.
Common Names for Shades of Reddish Orange
Here are some of the most common names used for shades of reddish orange:
Coral
Coral refers to reddish orange colors that lean slightly more towards red than orange. They are vibrant colors inspired by the natural reddish color of marine coral. Lighter coral is used to describe pale pinkish-orange colors. Darker coral refers to richer, deeper reddish tones.
HEX code: #FF7F50
Peach
Peach describes soft, pale reddish orange colors inspired by the fruit of the same name. Specifically, the fuzzy, pinkish-orange flesh rather than the red skin. Peach is lighter and less saturated than coral.
HEX code: #FFE5B4
Salmon
Salmon refers to light to medium reddish orange shades reminiscent of the color of salmon flesh. Lighter salmon is a pale orange-pink. Darker salmon leans towards a richer orange.
HEX code: #FA8072
Apricot
Apricot describes colors that are light orange with a soft reddish tint. It is inspired by the orange fruit of apricot trees.Apricot tends to be lighter and more muted than coral or salmon shades.
HEX code: #FBB2A3
Persimmon
Persimmon is a reddish orange similar to apricot but deeper and more vivid. It is named after the glossy, ripe persimmon fruit.
HEX code: #EC5800
Terracotta
Terracotta refers to earthy, muted shades of reddish orange. It is inspired by natural clay containing iron oxide pigments. Terracotta tends to be more brick-red than orange.
HEX code: #E2725B
Vermilion
Vermilion describes vivid, intense reddish orange colors that lean slightly towards red. The name comes from the natural mineral pigment vermilion.
HEX code: #D9603B
Color Codes
Reddish orange colors can be specified using different color coding systems, like:
– HEX codes – Six-digit hexadecimal numbers prefixed with #, like #FF7F50
– RGB values – Specifies amounts of red, green and blue light mixed, like rgb(255, 127, 80)
– HSL values – Defines hue, saturation and lightness, like hsl(15, 100%, 63%)
– CMYK values – Amounts of cyan, magenta, yellow and black ink used, like cmyk(0, 0.5, 0.68, 0)
Here is a table with some examples of reddish orange colors and their HEX codes:
| Color Name | HEX Code |
|---|---|
| Coral | #FF7F50 |
| Peach | #FFE5B4 |
| Salmon | #FA8072 |
| Apricot | #FBB2A3 |
| Persimmon | #EC5800 |
| Terracotta | #E2725B |
| Vermilion | #D9603B |
These codes allow reddish orange colors to be recreated accurately in digital design programs.
Use in Design and Fashion
Reddish orange colors see a lot of use across design and fashion because they are vivid, energetic colors. Here are some examples:
UI Design
Reddish oranges like coral and peach are popular accent colors in UI design. They provide visual contrast and draw attention while feeling fun and friendly. Darker salmon shades work well for hyperlinks.
Home Decor
Terracotta and persimmon orange inject warmth into home decor. They work well for accent walls, pillows, carpets, and burnt orange furniture. Soft peach can lighten up a room.
Fashion
In fashion, coral and salmon are staple colors for summer and spring. Peach works as a delicate neutral. Apricot flatters many skin tones. Terracotta brings an earthy look. Vermilion commands attention.
Food
Reddish oranges feature heavily in many foods – think carrots, sweet potatoes, tropical fruits, pumpkins, spices, and cocktail mixes. They create appetizing, vibrant food photography.
Branding
Reddish orange is an energetic brand color that stands out. It connects to creativity, adventure, fun, and youthful brands. Companies like Nickelodeon, Houzz, Carrots, and Reddit use reddish orange in their logos.
So in summary, reddish oranges are adaptable colors that lend energy, warmth, brightness and youthfulness to any design or branding application.
Psychology of Reddish Orange
Reddish orange colors have the following psychological effects:
Energy
The vibrancy of reddish oranges conveys energy. They activate and stimulate the senses. This makes them perfect for brands that want to express dynamism, excitement and action.
Fun
Reddish oranges come across as playful, energetic and fun. Peach and coral especially give off youthful, cheerful vibes. This suits brands targeting children or that want a lighthearted feel.
Appetite
Reddish oranges are linked to food cravings and appetite. They are often used in fast food branding and packaging for this reason. They stimulate hunger and make you think of fruits and vegetables.
Friendliness
Despite being attention-getting, reddish oranges maintain an air of warmth and friendliness. Peach is a particularly gentle, inviting tone. This makes them work for approachable, people-focused brands.
Confidence
The boldness of reddish orange injects a sense of confidence. Salmon and vermilion especially convey power and self-assurance. Darker shades make strong accent colors.
So in summary, reddish orange balances energy and vibrancy with approachability. Carefully chosen shades can amplify the desired messaging for a brand.
Contextual Associations
Here are some of the concepts and contexts commonly associated with reddish orange:
Tropical
Reddish oranges evoke tropical locales and warm weather – think sunsets, fruit, flowers, spices and exotic birds. Brands like Flipflops and Fanta evoke tropics using reddish orange.
Autumn
The turning leaves and harvest produce of autumn heavily feature reddish oranges. Persimmon, terracotta and burnt orange signify the fall season.
Sunrise/Sunset
The warm glow of dawn and dusk sunlight is reddish orange. Sunrise/sunset themes commonly utilize shades like peach, coral and salmon.
Citrus
Oranges, peaches, mangos and papayas are all reddish orange. Citrusy aromas and flavors are associated with these colors. Clean, fresh citrus scents are accentuated.
Fire
Fire and heat contain reddish orange tones. Lighter peach conveys warmth, while vermilion and lava orange signify danger and high temperatures.
Skin Tone
Light reddish oranges like peach and apricot complement fair skin tones. Darker terracotta works for olive and medium skin tones. Coral flatters a tan.
So brands can leverage these color associations to reinforce their desired messaging and imagery using strategic shades of reddish orange.
Variations and Uses
There are many variations of reddish orange suited to different contexts:
Bright, Vibrant Shades
Coral, vermilion, and salmon are bold, exciting shades. They grab attention and convey energy, youth, and fun. Bright reddish oranges suit party products, tropical brands, toys, sports gear.
Soft, Muted Shades
Peach, apricot and light salmon have softer, more delicate coloring. They give a gentle, subtle effect. These suit fresher, more muted looks for fashion, weddings, Easter, baby products.
Deeper, Richer Shades
Deeper oranges like burnt orange, terracotta, ochre, and pumpkin are earthier. They signify autumn, comfort food, hearth and home. Use these for fall themes, heritage brands, spicy food.
Dull, Brick-Red Shades
Dusted clay and red clay colors lack orange and lean towards brick red. Associated with adobe, pottery and Southwestern art. Works for cultural heritage.
So in summary, the desired reddish orange shade should align with the target audience and context. Vibrancy, depth and exact hue can all be tailored.
Mixing Reddish Orange
Reddish orange can be mixed using:
Red and Yellow
Mixing pure red and pure yellow makes orange. Add more red for reddish orange, more yellow for yellowish orange. Works for paint and colored light. Easy to adjust ratio.
Premade Reddish Orange Paint
Use a premixed reddish orange paint like vermilion, coral, peach, salmon. Convenient but less ability to control hue.
RGB Mixing
Add both red and green light. Increase red vs green to control hue. Use for digital media, web, video. Precise control.
CMYK Printing
Overlap yellow and magenta ink, leaving white paper for highlight. Adds red and orange. Use for professional printing.
Food Coloring
Mix red and yellow coloring to tint icing, candy, etc. Useful for cake decorating, cookies, homemade projects.
So in summary, controlling the red to yellow ratio using premixed paints, light, inks or food coloring allows easy DIY reddish orange mixing.
Matching Reddish Orange
To match an existing reddish orange:
– Use a color identifier app to get the RGB or HEX values.
– Use the values to recreate the shade in design software.
– Refer to online databases like Pantone, Sherwin Williams or Behr to find the closest matching standardized color.
– Buy a physical swatch book and visually scan for the nearest shade.
– Adjust premixed paint by adding red or yellow as needed.
– Mix colored lighting gels for stage/events using RGB percentages.
So color codes, physical references, and color theory adjustment of mixing ratios helps match any reddish orange precisely.
Conclusion
Reddish orange refers to the vibrant color family between red and orange on the color wheel. It includes shades like coral, peach, salmon, apricot, vermilion, terracotta, ochre and persimmon. These colors convey energy, warmth, friendliness and appetite. Reddish oranges work well in UI design, branding, fashion, food, and for autumnal themes. The exact shade can be chosen by selecting the right balance of red and orange for the desired visual impact and associations. Reddish orange is easy to mix DIY with paints, light, ink or food coloring. Existing shades can be matched via color codes or physical swatch books. Reddish orange is a stimulating, charismatic color that brings energy and flair.
