Color Theory Corina García Müller
M2. Theory + COLOR M3. Designers + COLOR M4. Film + COLOR M5. Balance + COLOR M6. Rhythm + COLOR M7. Retail + COLOR M8. Proportion, Scale, Unity & Harmony + COLOR M10. Hospitality + COLOR M11. Culture + COLOR
CONTETNS
M1. Corina García Müller
CORINA GARC
CIA MULLER
THEORY + COLOR Module Objective
Understand basic concepts of Color theory Describe the function of light in the perception of color Recognize the diversity of color principles, theories, and systems
DESIGNER + COLOR Module Objective Understand how designers use color in architecture Understand that color is more than decoration Understand the relationship between design concept and the use of color
Project: IIT Mccormick Tribune Campus Center Designer: Rem Koolhaas Location: Chicago, IL
Three main background elements shaped the project: 1. Mies Van de Rode precedent IIT campus’ buildings → Koolhaas twisted Mies statement less is more into more is more. 2. Elevated train line → which he called “the acoustic disaster zone” he used it to create the building statement. 3. Existing student circulation → He used a team of students to study circulation, and then used the results as part of his programmatic design
Koolhaas as a response to Mies austere Crown Hall created a color explosion in a bold single-story building with a giant Mies van der Rhode’s wall portrait as the entrance. In order to solve the train’s noise problem he designed a stainless steel tube on top of the building, which encloses and traps the train and loud noise. The building consists of “mosaic” program, housing a variety of social and recreational spaces for students and faculty. The floor is crisscrossed by aluminum walkways that mark the heavily traveled pathways Koolhaas’s team laid out after the initial circulation analysis
“Orange is the key color in the Mc Cormick Center palette, is a unifying theme among the dense mosaic plan. The black, concret and stainless steel grey reflect Mies qualities: elegant, strong, and protecting. While orange may be seen as happy, warm, generous, and invigorating�
Turquoise and yellow complement the orange on some of the spaces. Koolhass uses glass and light to play with refraction and create indirect colors effects. Each panel of orange glass consists of two outer panes, between which is a honeycomb wire mesh that filters and plays with light as it enters the building.
Kolhass did not only play with color, but also with texture. He used Iconography as part of his design. Playing with light and sight he used Icons as channel and signage the building. “He hired New York graphic designer Michael Rock to create two-and-a-half-inch-round icons that indicate student activities and denote specific functional areas� As you may see on the right images, Kolhaas also created Mies portrait among others with the concentrations of the icons.
Koolhas Mc Cormick Center design was a response to various existent f plans and previous circulation. The result was a one-story building with unifying theme among the building.
Also, the stainless steel tube on top of the one story building is another e
design. There are several rooms whose ceiling is interrupted and compose
factors. Such as Mies IIT orange and icons as the
emblematic detail of the
ed by the tube.
FILM + COLOR Module Objective Understand how people respond to color Know the key concepts of color perception Understand color integration into every phase of the design process
Project: Le Fabuleux Destin d'AmĂŠlie Poulain Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet Location: France
In this film color was digitally treated to manipulate colors and emphasize certain aspects of the story. Overall, the filmmaker used warm colors, the main colors used where red and green with certain touches of yellow and blue. Red is used in the film to symbolize Amelie’s dreamer attitude and magical actions. Since Green and red are complementary colors, green makes red to stand out.  Also, the film has a lot of close ups of Amelie’s face which makes the viewer to really appreciate her expression and unique mood.
Amélie’s father had a gnome that he dreamed to take it to travel the world. However, he never did it because his wife did not like the gnome and he decided to put it aside to care for Amélie. After his wife’s death, he took the gnome out and cements it to her shrine, suggesting that he is thinking about travelling, when Amélie realizes this dream of her father she decides to take from the shrine and send him to travel the world with a friend, while taking pictures of the gnome in emblematic places he visits and sends them to his father. I find this scene very emblematic, since it demonstrates Amélie’s desire to make other people happy, while using her unique imagination. Scene color and even the gnome are represented with the same color scheme (Red and Green)
BALANCE + COLOR Module Objective Understand the different components of BALANCE. Distinguish between symmetry, assymetry, and radial balance. Understand the types of colo balance
RYTHM + COLOR Module Objective Discuss the concept of rhythm Distinguish repetition, alternation, progression, continuation, and radiation
Rhythm
Is a natural evolutionary trait in nature that can further emphasized with color.
Types of rhythm:
Alternation
Repetition
n be transferred to interior spaces and can be
Radial
Progression
Continuation
RETAIL + COLOR Module Objective Understand how color and contrast can create focal points Distinguish emphasis from value, hue, textures, and shapes Identify the use of color in retail spaces
Project: Anthropologie Stores Director: URBN Inc group Location: Boca Raton, FL
With extraordinary attention to detail and creativity, Anthropologie stores’ exhibitions and decorations are cons interior design is an example of color, texture and accents use.
I chose this brand for this project, because I find their design strategy very impressive. From the window showcas purchase the experience is full of details and surprises.
Store showcases are the moment of truth with consumers, they ar passersby to come in and experience and shop in the stores.
In my opinion, Antrhopologie show windows are always impressive a
of attention to spectators when walking on the streets and shopping
stantly changing. Their
se until the moment of
re meant to persuade
and make a focal point
g malls.
The base decoration of the store is in neutral colors (grey and beige). The designers use colors, texture and details to guide costumers and invite them to see the entire store merchandise. In this picture, constrast of hue is evidence with the use of yellow and grey with white clothes exhibit in the area. This color scheme is used to heighten the exhibition of a backroom of the store.
The textured brick wall is on the left side of the entrance it is in contrasts with the smooth finishes of the rest of the walls in the store. This spot may be forgotten once you enter the store and see the store exhibition and details on your front. The textured detailed wall is meant to emphasize the wall and make consumers interested on this area.
For the store design they play with neutral colors and different values of greys and beige in combination with specific points where they use bright colors and special design features to make the space interesting for the consumer experience. The two pictures are examples of contrast of value. These points are spots where the eye can rest and then continue experimenting the store details.
Antrhopolgie stores are are full of subtle design features which change monthly to reinvigorate consumer’s visits and stimulate them to experience the store and search through the merchandise. They use unique elements to appeal and guide people. For example, the outdoor section is flagged with an allegorical feature of plants and vases. They make the store experience unique and constantly varying, as they mention in their websites their stores, there are beautiful, ever-changing vignettes and surprises hiding in every corner. These two pictures are example of emphasis made on the store to create points of interest
for the consumers and not only for aesthetics.
PROPORTION SCALE HARMONY UNITY + COLOR Module Objective Understand that systems can provide an accurate color proportions Recognize the difference between scale and proportion Understand repetition of color to unify a design
HOSPITALITY +COLOR Module Objective Understand the impact of color and variety in the interior spaces Identify how color and variety are used in hospitality environments
Project: Mondrian Hotel Designer: Marcel Wanders Location: Miami. FL
COLOR + LINE Contrast between vertical lines (columns & window frames) and the stair’s curvilinear contour lines COLOR + SHAPE The main focus of the building is Black Stair. This element’s presence in the room is reinforced by the black color and its florid pattern. COLOR + TEXTURE The use of polished floor finishes and the reflection of the furniture and other design elements are the visual characteristics that distinguish the lobby. COLOR + PATTERN Throughout the hotel there are different design elements that characterize each space. However the florid pattern of the stair is present in some design application in other to something that unifies all the spaces and gives harmony to the hotel design.
COLOR + LINE Vertical white lines define the red oasis in the pool area, in addition to the curve lines of the green kissing corners and the umbrellas’ vertical lines. COLOR + SHAPE The two red oasis a main shapes that appeal the eye in this area. The perfect defined space by the square structure and white curtains make it seem a oasis within the space. COLOR + TEXTURE The use different materials give a variety of textures that entertain the eye and generate an interesting ambient for hotel guests. COLOR + PATTERN As mention before, throughout the hotel there are different design elements that characterize each space but all have the florid pattern present somehow.