COLOR THEORY DANIEL MARTINEZ
TABLE OF CONTENTS M.1
Me + Color
M.2
Culture + Color
M.3
Theory + Color
M.4
Designers + Color
M.5
Perception + Color
M.6
Film + Color
M.7
Balance + Color
M.8
Retail + Color
M.9
Hospitality + Color
M.10
Workplace + Color
About Me “I enjoy being me. Being who I am is something no other person can be."
Design has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. After graduating with a degree in advertising and working in the field for a few years, I came to realize I needed to pursue my true passion of interior design. I am now currently working towards receiving my masters degree in interior architecture and loving every part of it!
My favorite hobby is going to second hand stores and refurbishing or repurposing furniture. The idea of giving something a new purpose and meaning is something I find very exciting.
I was born and raised in Miami Florida. I grew up in a small city called Miami Springs which is where I currently live.
My cultural background is Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Ecuadorian. My first language is Spanish but I also I speak English. I became focused on Interior Design while living in Chicago in2017. That was when I knew I wanted to a degree in Interior Architecture.
Traveling “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” - Augustine of Hippo
Traveling is very important to me. Traveling not only has a nostalgic and personal meaning to me, but it is also an emotional and impactful way to view life in through different perspectives. As a child I would travel every summer with my family. The most impactful travel experience I had was visiting South Korea. It was a powerful moment of realization and awareness when experiencing a culture completely different to that one I grew in. It made me realize that the world doesn’t revolve around what is known to one person but to much more.
Color Preferences
I prefer muted Colors colors that evoke a sense of calm and relaxation.
Even in my personal fashion style, I tend to lean into muted tones that balance out my personality, which is very vibrant and loud and it has a shine of its own.
Cultures
In this module I took a deeper look into my own Cuban culture, and explored all the beautiful colors the country has. I also studied the Indian culture as I haven’t had a chance to visit but hope to do so very soon. They use similar colors as Cuba, but definitely saturate the colors where Cuba are more muted tones.
Cuba
Color Palette
Coral represents the abundant life in the ocean.
Orange represents the warmth of the sun and the Cuban people.
Cuba Some amazing cultural view that pulls all this info together
Cuba is filled with an array of vibrant colors. From the brightly painted buildings to the colorful vintage cars that roam the streets. The faded and washed pastel colors that cover the island are very beautiful but are also a reminder that it is a communist country where its people do not have access to the same paints. For this reason it is easy to romanticize or idealize the vintage cars and the charm of of the old city.
Blue represents the clear waters that surround the island.
Green represents the vast vegetation that covers the island.
Despite all of this the Cuban people and culture remains as vibrant and as happy as the colors that paint the island.
India
Color Palette
Gold symbolizes the orange marigold flower that is used in celebration.
Red is associated with the Hindu goddess, Dur, it represents purity.
Blue is associated with the Lord Krishna.
Green symbolizes nature which is a manifestation of God himself.
India India is known for its vibrant colors. Color has a deep and rich symbolic history in its culture. From religion, politics, festivals, and celebrations, color has a meaning that is beyond the simple understanding of hues. It is the manifestation and embodiment of ideals, gods, goddesses, and emotion. With its bright textiles, exotic flowers, and rich spices, India is one of the most colorful places on the planet.
Theory Theory is the study and practice of a set of principles that help understand the relationship among colors. Color has the ability to change an environment, influence our experiences and provide a greater sense of health and well-being. Color sets the mood of the environment. Light goes hand in hand with color selection in order to create a harmonious space. Not everyone sees color the same way. The surface in which color is applied affects the resultant color we perceive. Different wavelengths affect the amount of effort the eye has to make in order to see a color.
Designer In this module I studied the designer Luis Barragan and the Barragan House and Studio in Mexico City, Mexico.
Luis Barragan Born: March 9, 1902, Guadalajara, Mexico Died: November 22, 1988, Mexico City, Mexico Books: Barragán, The Life and Work of Luis Barragan Awards: Pritzker Architecture Prize
Luis Barragán was professionally trained as an engineer and his architectural skills were self taught. Luis became a part of a movement called Escuela Tapatía or Guadalajara School. This movement promoted a theory of architecture dedicated to the active loyalty to regional traditions.
Although his work has been referred to as minimalist the presence and richness of color is anything but that. He is known as one of Mexico's greatest architects and revolutionized modern architecture in Mexico with his use of bright colors, these colors reflected the the traditional architecture of Mexico.
Influences In 1924 BarragĂĄn traveled the world. During this period he came across literature, art and architecture that inspire him.
In 1931 he traveled to Europe, where he met Bac and Le Corbusier, which ultimately had a profound influence on his work. When he returned he began to think of new methods of how he could create what he called an “emotional architecture�. In 1935 he moved to Mexico City, where he began to apply the principles of Le Corbusier. His works began to take shape into the elements that would later define his mature period.
Luis Barragรกn house and workshop is located in Mexico City. The fact that the house was deliberately build on a small street in the old Tacubaya working class neighborhood is proof to his loyalty of regional traditions supported by the movement he was involved in.
The upper left angle of the building faรงade contrasts with two planes that form a corner. The vertical white tower used as a water deposit draws your eye towards the blue sky marrying the colors of the walls.
Right when entering the studio and home of Luis Barragรกn you are greeted by a narrow and elongated reception room. The windows in this room are painted yellow reinforcing the rooms powerful and meaningful impact. The use of yellow in this space is a reinterpretation of traditional Mexican or Mediterranean houses. The analogous colors in this room is surprisingly interrupted when the door opens and reveals the pink wall in the other room. This door acts as a point of intrigue and introduction preparing the visitors senses.
Once you’ve passed the reception area you enter a lobby. The powerful pink background contrasts with the white color in the rest of the room.
The top of the stairs is decorated with a golden painting by a polish painter and friend of Barragan named Matthias Goeritz.
The relationship between color and light is very important in this room. Though the walls are white a cast of pink can be noticed on playing with the viewers eyes creating gradual levels of color and reveal.
This gold painting draws your attention to explore the second floor.
Luis effectively uses white to contrast the vibrant colors in many of the spaces in his studio. He also uses color to draw focus on what is is the background leading into another room.
Luis uses a series of planes and volumes to balance weight and color. This forms an abstract composition and an interesting way of communicating hierarchy.
The patio called Patio de las Ollas is a small and serene space that is contrasted by a drastic pink door. The long hanging plants also contrast nature with the architecture and the analogous color scheme. Luis Barragån’s decision to let the plants grow freely resulted in this exterior's personality. The free flowing and changing shape of the vegetation is a sharp contrast to the solid planes and calculated composition of its surroundings.
Luis Barragรกn is recognized for his emphasis on color, light, shadow, form and texture. His work is considered minimalist but his use of colors conveyed vibrancy and life. He was inspired by traveling the world and the modernist movement but opposed functionalism and wanted his work to be considered emotional architecture. He celebrated his heritage by using traditional colors of Mexican culture. His work created an emotional response that brought serenity and excitement. He respected nature and considered it to be just as important as any wall or structure.
He never used the color green because he felt that nature would provide for that. Luis Barragรกn has influenced contemporary architects and designers visually and conceptually all around the world.
Perception COLOR response is highly personal, there can be an unpleasant color relationship or a pleasant relationship as color describes our emotions and feelings and are often attach to memory. Colored surfaces and light can have an effect in how our bodies and organs functions. It can also help cure illnesses. White objects reflect all colors and don’t absorb heat, Black objects absorb all colors and retain heat. When working on a design project one must: commit to a design problem and state it, then proceed to collect and analyze data, then create potential design solutions and choose one that works, implement it in the design and evaluate final results. Strong colors can cause fatigue. Color, like lighting must be implemented in every stage of the design process and not left as an after thought.
Film In this module I analyzed the use of color in the film Hero by Zhang Yimou
Summary
Hero is a martial arts movie told from more than one point of view. The movie opens with a storyteller kneeled down before the throne of a Chinese king who wants to unite all of China's warring kingdoms under his rule. The story teller is played by Jet Li and goes by the name “Nameless�. He is honored by the king for defeating three of the kings enemies. As Nameless tells the king the story of how he has killed his enemies the king begins to question Nameless and recounts his stories with his own take on the suspicious version of events. Each Version is told by a different color scheme.
R e d symbolizes vitality in Chinese culture. The color red can represent many things such as passion, love, seduction, and violence. In this scene the calligraphy school is being attacked by an army shooting arrows and all these themes are present.
One can not ignore the symbolism of blood as Broken Sword writes calligraphy in red paint as the school is attacked.
B l u e symbolizes immortality and advancement in Chinese culture. Blue is also associated with power, sadness and masculinity. Nameless is a skilled swordsman who seems immortal as he defies gravity and survives numerous battles unscathed. Nameless displays his impressive sword skills and challenges Flying Snow and Broken Sword to a battle. This is a prime example of his display of masculinity.
G r e e n is believed to be an auspicious color for warding off evil in Chinese culture. In this scene Broken Sword fights the emperor in his palace. This color seems fitting as Broken Sword seeks to defeat the evil emperor. Green can also represent life, renewal, energy and growth. These also seem fitting for this scene as it calls for the end of the emperors rule and new life to begin.
Balance BALANCE is a means whereby harmony, peace, and connection can be made between the observer and that which is observed. Balance is used to make sense of the world around us. Balance is important in interior space because it can cause the users to feel an urge to fix things and feel uncomfortable. The eye is drawn to symmetry. Radial balance is good when in a neutral environment. A three-value scheme gives the space depth and creates visual interest.
Lack of balance can create a disengaging space that lacks unity and can be chaotic.
Retail In this module I analyzed the use of color in the Nespresso Retail Store, located in Miami Beach, Florida.
Contrast of Hue
The vibrant use of colors create a strong contrast of hues. The orange, pink and violet chairs stand out against the black wall and white banquet. Built within the black walls is a colorful display nooks that draw attention to Nespresso’s products. You can also notice the distinct contrast in the flooring design where on one side a warm wood is used and on the opposite side a taupe color.
Contrast of Value
The contrast in value is expressed in the distinction of white and black in the product display area. This sharp contrast allows the products displayed on the shelves to stand out against the white wall and supported by the black horizontal surfaces. This contrast can also be seen on the vertical surfaces which helps with differentiating zones or activities. The black and white wall indicates where one one area begins and the other ends.
Contrast of Design Feature
This Nespresso store is unique because it serves as cafĂŠ and a retail store all in one, therefore the design pleases all types of customers coming in. The contrast in design creates interesting shapes and forms as well as the colors used in the design. The lower half of this space is black and the protruding walls above are white. These walls create a wave like shape guiding you towards the main retail area. The design of the floor and use of bright colors all serve to capture your attention while serving as a reflection of the bright and modern Miami lifestyle.
Contrast of Texture
Contrast in texture can add an extra layer of interest in a design. The course tile used in the the main circulation of the store is contrasted by the smooth wood which indicates where people can sit. In the display area smooth reflective plastic panels are contrasted by the matte horizontal shelving. The colorful seats add a very tactile element with its suede like fabric contrasted by the white leather bench located across the table.
Focal Point
The main focal point of the store is the 30’ high capsule wall behind the cash register. This feature wall also includes illuminated LED lighting elements. This wall aims to draw the customers attention to the back of the store which is where the retail area is located. The wall is made up of stacked coffee capsule boxes. Each color represents a different type of coffee. Although this wall is mainly for display it gives the customer the impression that the store is well stocked and ready to distribute.
Hospitality In this module I analyzed the use of color in the Mondrian Hotel, located in South Beach, Florida.
Pattern
In the image above we can see a black staircase in a very white space. This “floating staircase” is located next to the café of the hotel and it has become a focal point for visitors because of the high contrast or colors and the beautiful pattern of the railings that extends to the railings on the second floor as part of the space is open to below creating a double heighted ceiling.
Shape The hotel has these set of columns that are repeated throughout different spaces, they all have the same hour glass shape but sometimes are of different colors and materials, this creates a focal point in some spaces because it is not the same four sided column that is seen everywhere else.
Texture
Since the color palette of the hotel is very light and neutral with minimal accents of color; texture is used in their furniture and finishes to create interest points to attract customers and create a more engaging experience for the visitors. Most textures are applied on seating, lighting fixtures, railings and stairs, and panels.
Line
In this image we see the café of the hotel and the thick columns that are broken in two by the change in color and texture as well as the obvious floor in between, this creates a heavier space on the first floor despite the double heighted ceiling. Now the space appears to be shorter and the horizontal lines of the floor separating the column appears to be longer guiding your eye and the circulation along the edge of the café.
Design Analysis Although the color palette doesn’t show much variety with its dominant white color and minimal use of secondary colors such as red and black, the overall design doesn’t appear to be uninviting. The various shapes and patterns helped with creating textures that catch the eye of visitors as they seek for their next spot to take a picture in this luxurious hotel. The overpowering simplicity of the design contrasting the different forms and textures of the finishing details is what helps bring together a dynamic and cohesive interior
Workplace In this module I analyzed the use of color in the Macquerie Group Offices, an Australian multinational independent investment bank and financial services company.
Color Palette Orange : Friendly, cheerful, exiting, encouragement, enthusiasm, health, stand out, wealth, youthful, happiness, social and inviting
Red : Excitement, bold, youthful, action, passion, joy, leadership, willpower, courage, daring and energetic. Pink : Communicate energy, encourage creativity, motivate action, fascinate and admiration. Green : Growth, harmony, dependability, rejuvenation, soothing, balance, restore energy and nature. White : Goodness, fresh, easy, clean, balance, calm, simplicity, cleanliness, innovative and minimalism.
SHAPE The shape of this particular conference room is different from the rest of the floating cubes in the office. This one seems to create certain hierarchy, meaning the people inside play a very important role in the office. In this case the shape of this cube allows for the people inside to have a better view of the rest building because they are able to look above and below. The blue of the conference room is beneficial to the mind and body of the people inside and it embodies confidence, trust and loyalty. This shape creates a contrast with the other cubes because of its different shape. The colors inside the boxes also create contrast and focal point in the design.
TEXTURE
On the image to the left, we can see the playful arrangement of the conferences and collaboration spaces, as floating cubes. These arrangement of the cubes give the workplace depth and dimension with the aid of solid colors filling the interior of the cube. The glass of the cubes are all numbered with an arrangement of lines that add to the depth and texture of these floating boxes. Because of the dimensionality and color of these boxes create a focal point as the eye is drawn to what is outside the grid and not white.
PATTERN
The image to the left shows two examples of patterns, one in the wood shelving system/panel and the other on the column that mimics a tree trunk. Both of this shapes are good examples of biomimicry in the workplace as they are different ways to bring the outside indoors. The tree like pattern of the shelf system helps provide the users with some privacy as this is a set of small conference rooms that don’t require high visual and acoustic privacy but it is good to divide the spaces and avoid noise from travel everywhere.
LINE
Here we can have a larger overview of the office where a sense of order is created by the linear elements intersecting the horizontal planes. There are a few elements that break off the grid, like the box 33 and 34, where this level appears to be slightly taller than the other planes. Despite the vertical elements, like the columns and the steal panel the horizontal lines still dominate the environment creating s flat design that could make one feel like a giant in a short space.
CONCLUSIONS
Conclusions Color is crucial in the design of an interior space. Color and light go hand in hand as color can change according to light conditions. Color affects the experience of the user psychologically and physiologically, as it can affect our health and emotions. Variety and balance in a space is important in order to create an interesting and engaging environment without disturbing the user. Symmetry plays an important role in balance and it brings a sense of pleasantness. Different cultures use color for different purposes and the meaning of these varies according to their backgrounds. Not everyone sees color the same and sometimes some colors are easier to see than others.
REFERENCES
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_Barrag%C3%A1n https://pro.magnumphotos.com/CS.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&VBID=2K1HZO4W HEHFYZ#/SearchResult&VBID=2K1HZO4WHEHFYZ&POPUPIID=2S5RYDO4A2N4& POPUPPN=1 https://www.coeval-magazine.com/coeval/zhang-yimou-hero-2002 https://itpworld.wordpress.com/2008/09/15/hero-chinahong-kong-2002-%E2%80%93-narrative-analysis/ https://graf1x.com/color-psychology-emotion-meaning-poster/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_in_Chinese_culture http://worldredeye.com/2013/12/nespresso-holiday-cocktail-reception/ https://www.shawmut.com/portfolio/retail/specialty/nespresso-miami-fl