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
Venezuelan
Born and raised in Caracas. A beautiful city surrounded by the Mountain “El Avila” The youngest of three girls Family lover Enjoy music and traveling as a way to getting to know new cultures
” The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” Eleanor Roosevelt
In this pages you will be able to see the evolution of me as I follow my dreams and study the Theory of Colors
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
Color theory Color Theory is the study and practice of a set of principle used to understand the relationship among colors. Without light, there is no color Reflection occurs when light strikes an object. In the case of color the light reflected back from an object result in the color we see. Diffraction occurs when light is partially obstructed by an object. Refraction results when one or more light or prism causes light to bend.
Color Wheel Color wheel is an abstract illustrative organization of color hues around a circle that shows relationships between primary colors, secondary colors, tertiary colors etc. Hue is pure color, value is the lightness or darkness of a color and chroma refers to the purity of a color. Additive Colors → Red Green and Blue Subtractive color → Cyan, Magenta, yellow and black
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
Reem Koolhas a Dutc
Practice of Architectu
ch Architec. An architectural theorist, urbanist and Professor in
ure.
Background
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
The Project
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
Color Scheme
“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�
Secondary Color Scheme
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.
Texture
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.
Conclusion
Koolhas Mc Cormick Center design was a response to various existent factors. Such as Mies IIT plans and previous circulation. The result was a one-story building with orange and icons as the unifying theme among the building. Also, the stainless steel tube on top of the one story building is another emblematic detail of the design. There are several rooms whose ceiling is interrupted and composed 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
AmĂŠlie is a french fi
starring Audrey Tauto
change the lives of p
film directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and
ou. The story shows a girl who decides to
people around her.
The Film + Color
This film color was digitally treated to manipulate colors and emphasize certain aspects of the story. Overall, the filmmaker used warm colors
Color Use
Main colors used where red and green with certain touches of yellow and blue. Red --> symbolize Amelie’s dreamer attitude and magical actions. Green --> (Nature) 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.
The Scene (The travelling gnome) AmĂŠlie realizes his father wanted to take the gnome to travel the world and she decides to make it possible. Red and Green are the protagonist Colors In this scene. Both AmĂŠlie and the gnome have a red accent that emphasize that something magical is going to happen with them.
BALANCE + COLOR Module Objective Understand the different components of BALANCE. Distinguish between symmetry, assymetry, and radial balance. Understand the types of colo balance
Balance
Symmetry
each is perceived to be equal in weight. Types of Balance:
axis
Refers to the relationship of different hues to one another when Is the arrangement of elements on either side of an implied Value Contrast
Intensity Contrast
Hue Balance
Size of color Area
Radial
Is the equal rotation of design elements around a central axis
Asymmetry
Is when elements on either side of a implied axis are equal in color and wheigt but vary in shape and size
Balance in Interiors
I chose this contemporary color palette based on the neutral grey colors and different yellow intensities 60% is grey 30% is yellow 10% accent brown and green This combination of colors allows a balance in the space and concept
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 be transferred to interior spaces and can be further emphasized with color.
Types of rhythm:
Alternation
Learnings
Rhythm can be used to: Highlight important elements Guide users through space Organize elements into a whole
Repetition
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
Anthropologie is a lifestyle brand that imparts a sense of beauty, optimism and discovery to our customer.
Focal Point. It all starts with the entrance Inviting Wood Doors/ Caves Incredible Changing Display windows Surprises from the begining of the experience until the moment of purchase
Contrast with exterior walls Contrast with other display windows Invites you to enter and experience the store
Contrast of Hue 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.
Contrast of Texture 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.
Contrast of Value
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.
Design Feature
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
Proportion and Scale
Proportion: The size relationships between parts and the whole. Ex. A sofa size in comparison to the living room space Scale: The size of a shape in comparison to a given known, generally the human body. Ex. Chair in comparison to the human body.
Establishing proportions: The Golden Section
Fibonacci Sequence Le Modulor Nature’s proportion
Learnings:
Scale and proportion can enhance the visual perception Nature is an inspiration of color perception
Unity and Harmony
Unity: is defined as the repetition of color to achieve a unified whole Harmony: is the result of a perfect balance between individual elements There are 7 color Harmonies 1. Mobocromatic 2. Complementary 3.
Split Complementary
4. Analogous 5.
Triadic and Tetrad
6.
Multi Hue
7. Achroamtoc
Learnings:
One color may unify two differe design elements Color harmonies should accentuate the interior Colors with a common hue may harmonize better
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
Mondrian Hotel is a modern Hotel by Bisc Beauty Castle
cayne Boulevard. Inspired in the Sleeping
The Mondrian and the Stairs Black and white is what you see when you enter the Hotel The stair is what takes your attention. Contrasting from the simple white lines is the carved black stair as a statement in the room
What makes the stair so special: Contasting color from background Curvilinear shape Location Florid pattern
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 somehow in all spaces
The Mondrian and Red Oasis
The red oasis, a statement in the swimingpool area, delined by the vertical square and white curtains, with the inside all in red.
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.
Conclusion Stunning from the moment you enter and see the black stair. The Mondrian Design use the perfect amount of color to make certain element of the design to pop out. A very cold, simple design enhanced by the view and the surroundings of the hotel, Just like this image of the red lounge in the pool. The complete hotel is full of details that entertain the guest eyes and guide you through the space.
CULTURE +COLOR Module Objective Developed knowledge of the cultural, and symbolic meanings of color. Understand that religious, political, and social values shape color symbolism and meaning. Understand that color planning should consider cross-cultural differences.
Venezuela Warm weather Its natural beauty describes Venezuela Rich in Colors and contrasts Design and Architecture is the result of Venezuela’s color richness Green is the common color of every landscape Yellow Represents the richness of the country (bright sun) Blue symbolizes justice (Sea and Ocean) Red represents the courage (Soldiers’ blood)
Indonesia Colorful nature Nature inspires architecture an interior design colors Red represents human body (physical life) White represents human soul (spiritual life or afterlife) Red represents human body (physical life) White represents human soul (spiritual life or afterlife)
Conclusion This class was about color, bot color science or color art. Is about theories and principles used to understand the relationship among colors. Color is part of our lives and we sometimes don’t even notice it. After studying the different subjects of this class I started to look at films, interior design, architecture and even nature in a different way. There is not right or wrong in the color use, but there are some theories that can help you to achieve a better use of color and have a better impact on final users. As designers, we are able to influence users experiences on the built spaces. Thus we need to start planning our color use from the beginning of the design process in order to assure the proper results.
Summer 2015