Context of Practice 3 Research Project Jess Dawson
To what extent does Aesthetic ‘Style’ reflect the context, audience and/or function of contemporary Illustration?
COLOUR
Key Themes & Areas of Interest: - Colour theory & colour rules - Emotional connections - Connotations & associations - Mood - Identity - Nomenclature - Colour psychology - Colour systems & scheduling - Colour perception - Subliminal
Summer Research, Progress & Development - Playing with colour – colour experiments - Collecting colour swatches from observation - Investigating colour across different media - Pinterest board of colour interesting palettes - Questions for potential survey
Area of research: THEORY / SCIENTIFIC
• Colour theory, rules & process • Colour experts & opinions • Colour systems: Newtonian, Pantone, Coloro • Psychological properties of colour & effects • Syndromes (synesthesia, colour blindness, colour phobias, etc) • Nature & environment (landscapes and weather effects on colour, colour & its importance in nature – plants & animals etc) Interaction of Colour Josef Albers
Area of research: SUBJECTIVE
• Peoples emotional connections to colour • How colour impacts mood
“My choice of colours is not based on any scientific theory. It is based on observation, on feeling, on the very nature of each experience. I simply seek to find colours that will fit my feeling.” - Henri Matisse
• Colour associations and connotations • Colour uses and values across varying cultures • Artists colour preferences & palettes • Colour obsessions • Colour as identity - Luxe, Calme et Volupte (1904)
Theorists / Creatives / Opinions of Interest
Faber Birren
John Gage
Wasilly Kandinsky
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Josef Albers
Georgia O’Keeffe
Henri Matisse
Marc Rothko
Paul Klee
Leatrice Eiseman
Yves Klein
David Batchelor
A.H. Munsell A. Boogert Isaac Newton
"Good smelling colours are pink, lilac, orchid, cool green, aqua blue.�
- Faber Birren
PRIMARY RESEARCH
“Pick A Colour” LAU Student Survey
Reading: Subjective
Reading: Theory & Science
Atelier Bingo
Marion Deuchars
Miyahara Hazuki
Georgia O’Keeffe
Rob Hunter
Claire Ishino
Ryo Takemaser
Remko Heemskerk
Eyvind Earle
Ideas for practical response: • Educational illustrated book – interactive publication • Visual journal – focusing on the emotional connection and subjective (in response to survey answers and participants) • Alternative swatch palette & names (in response to survey answers and participants) • Colouring book • Pick one colour or a limited palette and research and respond to this thoroughly • Responding to quotes from people about colours and a visual illustrated representation of this in that colour palette – almost reportage • ‘City Swatches’ - Observational city illustrations (Leeds?) in palettes that represent them – almost like swatches.
Ideas for practical response: Posters / Prints • Set // series // collection • Exploring colour effects across printed media such as screen print • Artwork applying theory to subject matter • Subject matter depicts real life case studies (results from survey and data collecting) • Each poster centered around an individual colour, palette specific aesthetics • OR - Information posters – educating about colour facts, theory and uses. – Too obvious?
Pinning down my research question / title‌ Q: How has the use of colour influenced society and culture? Q: To what extent can the use of colour positively affect society? Q: To what extent does the use of colour (/colour theory) - influence the audiences emotional response and connection to illustration and artwork? Q: Does colour belong in the realm of theory & science or subjective emotion, connection and connotation? Q: To what extent does colour form a part of our identity?
HELP!
Worries • Project needs focus & direction – which way do I go? • Vast scope of the topic • Paralyzed by research • Potential for abstract subject – my practice is not • Responding to findings & research illustratively • Common and thoroughly covered topic – I want to be unique and individual in my response
Where next: Research
• Roll out survey • Narrow down focus & continue to research • Email practitioners • Find more examples of colour associations & connotations • Research colour in nature & environment
Practical
• Respond to research & quotes • Colour palette exploration – from observation • Apply theory to practice • Use swatch names as starting points • Play
Thanks for listening J Any help, questions or suggestions?