COLOR THEORY Huong Nguyen
COLOR +
CONTENTS
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"It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for – and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing. It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool – for love – for your dreams – for the adventure of being alive." – Oriah Mountain Dreamer
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My name is Huong H. Nguyen and I was born in Miami, FL and I’m a leap year baby (born on February 29th). I believe this to be the reason why I’ve always felt different compared to others. I’m a first-generation Vietnamese-American. I have a background in the sciences with a Bachelor’s in Biology and currently completing my Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare. So why is someone with a science background compiling a collection of works discussing color theory and its concepts? Why not? A person’s degree and career choice does not define who they are nor does it determine your hobbies and interests. Color is life. Life is art. The world can be a scary place but it can also be quite beautiful. Sometimes you just have to take a closer look. That is how I see the world. Why focus on negativity when beauty surrounds you in all different forms? There is beauty in nature to food, different cultures and animals and even the amazing man-made creations surrounding our every day life. I can be a kid-at-heart and there is nothing wrong with that. I have a love for Disney, comics, animals, children, traveling, learning about different cultures and definitely anything related to food. My interests are very eclectic but always involve some form of creativity. For years, that part of me has been suppressed but I am now at a point in my life that I want to let my imagination and creativity run free. I want to learn more and hone in on my skills. I want to see where it takes me in life.
It has taken me quite some time to figure out what it is I want for myself, out of life, and for my career. My whole life, including my dreams and aspirations, I feel has been geared towards pleasing others. Despite having taken several detours on this journey, and possibly even taking longer than others to “figure it out”, I believe “everything happens for a reason”. In the words of Confucius, “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” So I say continue to chase after your dreams. Let your imagination free. Creativity is essential to a healthy mind and soul. It makes me happy. However you choose to apply it, don’t let anyone ever stop you from expressing yourself. Life is an adventure. Everyone’s journey and idea of happiness is different. Who knows what interesting “thing” you will come across next? This is my story to write. What’s yours?
MY COLORS: neutrals, monochromatic palettes, purples & blues
Color is more than light reflecting off an object back into our eyes. It can be a reflection of a person’s soul and their passions. Color is used to convey a message, an idea, an emotion. It moves, it creates, it inspires. It turns the ordinary into extraordinary. Colors can be seen used in various mediums as a form of expression. Color theory helps us understand the relationship between colors and apply it to our every day life. With this knowledge, we can achieve harmony, unity and balance in anything that we do.
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COLOR THEORY is the study & practice of a set of principles used to understand the relationships among colors. There are elements to color and without light, there would be no color.
Hue, value, & chroma are the three dimensions of color. Hue: pure color Value: lightness/darkness of color Chroma (saturation): purity of color There are 2 basic types of color mixing: light & pigment Additive color involves mixing light – red, blue, & green Subtractive color involves mixing pigments – red, blue, & yellow Colors can be changed in 3 ways with the addition/subtraction of black or white: tint, tones, shades
Color + Theory
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When designing a structure, several factors are considered. Most architecture focus on issues related to envelope, structure, form, space, environmental boundary, and urban issues. Interior architecture, however, places more focus on the user experience of the spaces inside buildings. In order to do this, designers incorporate psychology, programming, and the health safety and welfare of the users of the space. With the utilization of color designs, the designer is able to create a structure that not only captivates but is able to communicate with the public.
Architect: ARO - Stephen Cassell and Adam Yarinsky (Partners in charge) Scott Abrahams (project Architect), Josh Pulver, Eunice Seng, Rosalyn Shieh, Kim Yao Engineer: Lilker Associates Lighting Manufacturers: A&L Lighting, Lutron
Color + Designers|ARCHITECTURE
KUDO
was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. He graduated from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 1988. That same year, he joined Shiseido’s advertising division. He later transferred to Paris in 1992 where he worked for 4 years. In 2005, he left Shiseido and established Communication Design Laboratory (CDL) with Keiko Hirano. Kudo also works as a part time lecturer at Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music.
Aoshi KUDO Designer/ Creative director
Kudo engages in activities in complex realms ranging from product design to direction of total brand. He creates a world of limitless beauty, packaging designs for clients like Shiseido that transcend the realm of cosmetics packaging to become veritable objets d’art in and of themselves. Just setting them down somewhere charges the space with an air of majestic clarity. His works are also tiny encapsulations of communication design. He gives his product’s image further breadth-- from the perspective of “form, color and structure.”
He pursues pure “form” through careful examination of the actual colored object (product) and devises a structure for communicating with the people who will take it in hand.
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ARO was commissioned to design a day spa which would also serve as the brand's flagship store in North America, located in New York on Madison Avenue. To overlap a spa’s need for privacy with the theater required for successful retail, ARO referenced Qiora’s own holistic approach to skin health. If the store and spa is outwardly luminous, the source of such light must be a sense of inner calm.
Color + Designers|ARCHITECTURE
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BLUE HUE Light-blue: Gentle, reflective Royalty, coolness truth, loyalty, success, wetness, cleanliness Associated with water; cool, calm, comfortable, relaxing, clean Assists with balance and equilibrium
Navy-blue: Strength, authority Color + Designers|ARCHITECTURE
Blue organza fabric veils suspended by a Velcro system from the twenty-foot ceilings set the visual and tactile boundaries required between retail, treatment areas, and the spa cabins. Dyed milky white, aqua, and darker blues, these layered veils dematerialize the solid surfaces of the round spa cabins. The gauzy colors are carefully calibrated by overlapping layers of fabric and placement of illumination. They draw the eye continually further into the space, where a soothing, clean mood refreshes the visitors.
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“The continuity of space and movement encourages exploration.�
hhh
Uses cabin plan detail, with curtained zones situated in the center, and treatment beds that reside in the three perfectly round private cabins.
A snakelike circulation path around the cabins charts an aesthetic journey through an increasingly muted landscape to a realm of considerable visual silence.
Color + Designers|ARCHITECTURE
Situated on tabletops and shelves of frosted acrylic, products are illuminated using fiber optic uplights. Hidden along perimeter walls, behind white flame retardant fabric, are central lighting fixtures, a staggered formation of
vertical fluorescents. Mornings and afternoons, Qiora’s computer-controlled lighting is warm white. Intimate, bluer tones come out in the evening, making the store and spa a lantern on Madison Avenue.
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CONCLUSION|EXPERIENCE Kudo and Architecture Research Office created a sensual sensory experience that unites the product with the space. LIGHT: Diffused/dimmed lighting creates a calm, glowing landscape. Light modulates between warm and cool shades to create a sense of daylight and a radiant glow on the skin.
COLOR: Blue created physical & mental calmness and relaxation, slows heart rate, decreases temperature SHAPES: Curvilinear shapes encourage exploration TEXTURES: Opaque walls and ultrasuede create a more intimate environment & organza fabric panels create softness
First skincare line to scientifically analyze this link between mind and skin.
Color + Designers|ARCHITECTURE
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Color + Designers|ARCHITECTURE
Color sustains our soul. It is emotionally subjective. The psychological associations and perception we have with color can affect our responses, behaviors and even our health. Color response is highly personal and varies for each individual. It can be used to illicit specific emotional responses which can typical be seen used in areas such as marketing, media, and the film industry.
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Through further film analysis, we can see how such industries use colors to manipulate our emotions.
(1998) Director: Vincent Ward Starring: Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding Jr., Annabella Sciorra
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PLOT | FILM ANALYSIS What Dreams May Come centers around Chris Nielson who meets and marries his true soul mate Annie. They have two children together and life seems perfect. Until one day, their children die in a car accident. Chris and Annie have a hard time coping with this loss and almost ended up in divorce. On their anniversary of when they reconciled, Chris dies, also in a car accident. He awakes in Heaven where he is guided by a friendly guardian angel, Albert, who was an old trustworthy colleague. They embark on a journey together in the afterlife where he is reunited with his dog and daughter. Annie, filled with grief, falls into a state of depression and commits suicide. When Chris learns of this, he desperately searches for her soul in the afterlife. However, Albert explains that suicides are not allowed in Heaven. Chris then sets forth towards Hell to search for Annie’s soul. Here, Chris learns that Albert is actually his son underneath this form he took on. Chris ends up finding Annie but she is unable to remember who he is or the events that lead to her current situation. As Chris tries to get Annie to remember, he is slowly losing his memories and himself. He makes a promise to never leave Annie again and becomes trapped in her nightmare, losing his memories as well. Annie’s memories are triggered and she rescues Chris and both ascend to Heaven where they are reunited with their family. At the end, you can see both Chris and Annie reborn into two different lives. Two children meet each other in the same manner as the movie starts off with Chris and Annie meeting by the lake. What Dreams May Come is a powerful, compelling, and visually captivating film using colors to convey emotions and distress. It delves into psychology and the belief that soul mates exist even beyond the living. There are several scenes throughout the movie that specifically stand out as they are quite powerful and demonstrates the correlation of color psychologically and perceptually.
Color + Film|PSYCHOLOGY + PERCEPTION
SCENE ANALYSIS
Here, we have the opening scene when Chris meets Annie for the first time by chance and there is an instant connection between the two. The color scheme in this scene is predominantly white, red, and green. The white in here, found on both their clothing, represents purity, innocence, birth (of a new love/relationship). The red can be seen on Annie’s sail and her blanket. Red represents excitement, love, passion. The green is the surrounding environment such as the grass and hills. Here, the color green symbolizes growth, nature, renewal, eternal life, peacefulness, and youthfulness.
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SCENE ANALYSIS This is a pivotal scene in the movie as the “feel” of the movie shifts. Chris is with Albert, his “guardian angel”, looking at a purple tree that just appeared. In reality, this is a new painting of a tree that Annie painted in belief that she can communicate with the afterlife. Shortly after, the tree and environment becomes gloomier and fades. In the living reality, Annie is writing in her journal, dressed in purple and alluding to how she can no longer continue living because of her grief. She then commits suicide. The colors used for this scene sets up this scenario. The purple is dominant here which has negative associations such as gloomy, mourning, and death. The blue further supports this by symbolizing sadness, depression, loneliness. The orange and brown sky also symbolizes gloominess and danger.
Color + Film|PSYCHOLOGY + PERCEPTION
SCENE ANALYSIS Here we have the final scenes where Chris is reunited with Annie and the rest of his family in Heaven. They are now once again together. The closing scenes end with Chris and Annie discussing being reincarnated and finding each other all over again because they know they are truly soul mates and will find each other always no matter where they are.
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Unlike before where there were negative associations with specific colors, in the final scenes we see colors represented in a positive manner. The blue symbolizes calmness, comfort, security and strength. The red symbolizes love, passion, courage, and excitement as it did at the beginning of the film. The green is once again all around in the environment, signifying renewal, tranquility, eternal life. The yellow glow here can be seen illuminating in the water which symbolizes happiness, vitality, hope and optimism.
CONCLUSION|EXPERIENCE What Dreams May Come takes you through a journey of life and the afterlife with the belief that soul mates exist in all realms and time is of no factor. Filmmakers ensured that the audience experienced every emotion throughout the movie by using brighter colors with positive associations when the scene was happier and upbeat. Darker colors with negative associations were used for gloomier scenes, specifically those pertaining to death. Overall, these are standard psychological techniques , with the use of color, that filmmakers alike use to keep the audience engaged for the whole duration of the film. Color + Film|PSYCHOLOGY + PERCEPTION
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In order to manage visual information, whether on a page or in our environment, there needs to be balance. Balance helps make our environment aesthetically pleasing. It is critical in creating harmony and unity within an interior.
What is BALANCE?
VALUE CONTRAST
HUE BALANCE
INTENSITY CONTRAST
SIZE OF COLOR AREA
BALANCE refers to the relationship of different hues to one another when each is perceived to be equal in weight. PHYSICAL BALANCE is the optimal measure of gravitational forces that keeps you from falling.
PERCEPTUAL BALANCE involves the object itself (size, scale) and the visual weight of the color (heavy or light). Key factors to achieve good color balance: 1. Amount of color used 2. Number of different colors used 3. Visual weight of colors 4. Location of the colors within the space Types of COLOR BALANCE: 1. Value Contrast (light/dark) 2. Hue Balance (compliments) 3. Intensity Contrast (bright/dull) 4. Size of Color Area (large/small) Color + Balance
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These days, the need to capture every moment of our lives in a photograph seems to be the norm. Is it because we forget to be in the present and truly experience it or is it because something has inspired us and we wish to capture this memory? We all see the world around us differently. There are all kinds of beauty and captivating moments worth pulling out our camera for and snapping a picture. Photographs help others see the world through your eyes. Photography allows each of us to capture a single moment in time and freeze it, whether it involves emotions, colors, textures, nature or people. It can invigorate all of your senses. In the world today, accessing a camera is readily available. This section, you will be able to step back and look through my lens and share in my experiences, from traveling to cultural experiences to exploring different cuisines.
Color + Photography
Chinatown , Washington D.C.
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H Street, Washington D.C.
Color + Photography
Eastern Market, Washington D.C.
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Color + Photography
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Color + Photography
Chef’s special: Sashimi platter
Butter Chicken
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Escargot
Passionfruit/Coconut mousse
Bibimbap
Tempura Green Tea Ice Cream
Lamb dumplings w/ gold flakes
Sweet Shrimp
Pita trio
Fish Tacos
Beef noodle soup (Pho)
Rice Cakes
Color + Photography
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Rhythm… Is movement Is a natural evolutionary trait in nature that can be transferred to interior spaces and further emphasized with color Is repetition, recurrence, or sequencing of similar design elements to create a pattern Can be achieved through color contrast, similarity in hue, value & intensity Is connected to music & nature Has 5 types associated with color: 1. Repetition 2. Alternation 3. Progression 4. Continuation/Transition 5. Radiation
ALTERNATION
PROGRESSION CONTINUATION/TRANSITION
REPETITION RADIATION
Wayfinding – physical awareness of one’s place or orientation; the user experience of orientation & choosing a path within the built environment with the use of color properties such as rhythm Color + Rhythm
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EMPHASIS is a tool for creating points of interests not only for aesthetic purposes but to orient users of the space. Color attracts attention. Emphasis guides your attention to deliver the intended message. It calls attention to important areas, establishing a point of visual interest.
B
A
S
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N Color + Emphasis|RETAIL ANALYSIS
The Store
Basin specializes in a diverse collection of all-natural bath & beauty products. Putting your senses to work & your mind to rest, they offer fresh, fragrant and fun ways to pamper yourself from Bath Bombs to Shampoo & Conditioner Bars. To further enhance your experience at Basin, mix & match your own Bath Salts to create a custom design or fragrance. All Basin products are made in the USA, are chemical-free, animal cruelty-free, and never contain parabens, alcohol, or mineral oil. Our skin is the largest organ we have and what we put on our skin will be absorbed by and affect our bodies for better or worse. For this reason, Basin believes in producing the most natural products possible. Their stores are transformed into a spa-like atmosphere and provides customers a “hands-on” experience, such as testing out some Body Scrubs. There are currently three Basin locations: two in Las Vegas, Nevada and one in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Basin at Disney Springs™ Marketplace Walt Disney World Florida
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Basin’s sister store, Basin White, is their signature line of luxury bath & body products offering a wider variety of custom, exclusive, high-end fragrances. Currently Basin White is located inside Disney’s Grand Floridian in Orlando, Florida.
C o n t r a s t of
HUE
ď ś Using colors that are opposite one another on the color wheel & at full intensity to form focal points
Basin contains products with different intensities in color. To create contrast, high intensity/vibrant hues are placed on the perimeter of the store against a neutral white backdrop to make it pop. In the center, are softer, less intense colors which are placed next or near their opposite/complimentary to achieve a striking display.
Color + Emphasis|RETAIL ANALYSIS
Contrast of
VALUE
ď ś A light/dark contrast of black, gray or white values emphasis without using chromatic hues
The warm, dark wood trims surrounding the wall units vary in color but all serve the same purpose: to contrast against the light white background. The wood finishes draws emphasis to the products within the wall. Without it, the display would be bland and there would be no focal point drawing customers to the products.
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Basin uses other colors to draw it its customers. A gray trim is used here instead of a wood finish. The gray creates contrast against the white background as well.
C o n t r a s t
o f
ď ś Adding emphasis by using color and texture such as smooth versus rough
To emulate a spa-like environment, different textures are presented to create a natural-feel. Different hues of wood finishes are used in various locations from the floor to the ceiling to the storage units. Blue hues are used to create wave-like movement of water behind the register, and the light fixtures mimic bubbles floating in the air.
Color + Emphasis|RETAIL ANALYSIS
Design Feature|Focal Point ď ś A focal point is a single design element that receives the greatest visual emphasis in a room
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The focal point of the store is a large, white square basin where customers can test out some products, such as body scrubs. The basin creates emphasis by isolation (placement) & its color & shape contrast against everything else within the store. This is clearly where the greatest visual emphasis is placed. In order to create emphasis to this design feature, different elements are combined. Underneath the basin, gray tiles form a large square, contrasting against the wood floors. The most striking feature in this area is the surrounding pillar structure made from wood that towers around and above the basin. Looking above to the ceiling, there is a window that allows natural lighting to illuminate downwards to the basin. Hanging from the ceiling window are circular light fixtures in the shape of orbs emulating bubbles. This combination creates directional movement downwards & towards to the basin.
Conclusion|Experience With the usage of various contrasts to create emphasis, Basin succeeds at achieving balance that is aesthetically pleasing, and able to attract customers and hold their attention. Disney’s values and theme can be seen throughout Basin as it places focus on their audience and creates a truly unique experience for all that sets foot into their stores.
Color + Emphasis|RETAIL ANALYSIS
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Proportion is one of the key elements that we use to rationalize & seek order in the things around us. With the application of color, completeness & aesthetic value are created.
Golden Section
PROPORTION – the size and arrangement of objects with each other in an interior space SCALE – the relationship of the human body to objects Golden Section – the golden mean/rectangle/ratio, determines a proportion between the whole and its two parts where the ratio between the smaller and the larger is the same as the larger and the whole; yields a pleasing proportion of structure & space Using a grid system based on the golden section, Fibonacci, Le Modular, or natural forms can provide a more accurate method for establishing relative color proportions
Grid proportion using the Fibonacci Sequence
COLOR + PROPORTION = AESTHETIC VALUE!
Color + Proportion + Scale
Unity & harmony of space can be achieved through similarity of color. Color harmony suggests that color cannot be separated from one another and that form strengthens color and vice versa. Without unity, there is no harmony.
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UNITY – the repetition of color to achieve a unified whole HARMONY – the result of a perfect balance between individual color relationships; totality, a palette that is seen as one versus many There are 7 color harmonies: 1. Monochromatic - uses various values (tints, tones, and shades) within the same color family 2. Analogous - 3 or more colors that sit side-by-side on the color wheel 3. Complementary – colors opposite each other on the wheel 4. Split Complimentary (1 color paired with 2 colors on either side of the original color’s direct complement creating a scheme containing 3 colors) & Double Complementary (two sets of complementary colors that sit next to and across from each other on the color wheel forming an X) 5. Triadic - 3 colors equally spaced from one another, creating an equilateral triangle on the color wheel 6. Tetrad - 4 hues equal distance from one another, forming a square or rectangle on the color wheel 7. Multi-hue – most difficult to use as it is dependent on proportions of color to achieve the right harmony; establish a relationship within the palette between all colors
Analogous
Monochromatic
Complementary
Triadic
Split Complimentary
Double Complementary
Tetrad
Complementary (contrast) scheme & analogous (gradation of hue, not chroma) are more practically useable and easier to work with Color harmonies should accentuate the interior, not overwhelm the space.
Color + Unity + Harmony
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COLOR + VARIETY Commercial Design Analysis
VARIETY is a principle of design that is concerned with the combination of one or more color elements that use line, shape, texture, and/or pattern to create diversity and contrast in an interior space.
PROJECT: Disney's Polynesian Village Resort DESIGNER: Welton Becket and Associates LOCATION: 1600 Seven Seas Drive, Orlando, FL 32830
Color + Variety|HOSPITALITY
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Overview Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort creates an immersive environment unlike any other for anyone that sets foot inside. From their lobby throughout the whole resort, you are immediately teleported to the Polynesian islands and forget you are in central Florida. Disney properties are able to achieve this experience so well by incorporating the perfect amount of color and variety. Here, to stay true to the theme of the Polynesian islands, the color palette that was chosen included warm, earthy, natural hues: green, yellow, orange, red, and brown. The dominant color here is brown which is represented as wood elements, creating comfort, security, and luxury. In addition to color choice, a variety of other elements are used which will be further analyzed.
IMAGE for analysis
Color + Variety|HOSPITALITY
IMAGE for analysis
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LINE
Discussion COLOR + LINE A variety and mixture of lines are found throughout from interior accents on the wall to exterior fixtures which are part of the architectural design. Curved lines are used in the interior to create an organic, peaceful, inviting that is less formal. Supported by blues, it resembles nature and water. Vertical and horizontal lines are used to break up monotony and create movement. Vertical lines create upward and downward movements, accentuates height and when reinforced by warm hues, represents strength and power. Horizontal lines widens both the interior and exterior. Width is emphasized, creating the sensation of restfulness, relaxation, and calmness. With this combination, attention is drawn to the focal point of the lobby: the center and upwards to the sky. COLOR + SHAPE Shapes are fundamental in Polynesian culture. It can be found everywhere from the furniture, décor, to the detailing on the exterior. Circles are represent in the light fixtures high above the ceiling as well as used for furniture shape. This represents fluidity, allowing the eye to travel around freely. The variation in circles create rhythm and calming softness, welcoming the public to a playful setting. Squares and rectangles can also be seen. Even in the shape of a diamond, which adds dynamic variety and seems to defy gravity. The combination of squares and rectangles help break up monotony in rooms, breaking it into segments and makes the use of space more aesthetically pleasing. COLOR + TEXTURE Staying true to its organic and nature-themed environment, naturally rough, smooth, and matte finished materials are used. Stones can be seen used as flooring and as accents on the walls. Wood is the main material used in the overall architectural design and to create further variety, the use of bamboo is added both externally and internally (furniture, décor, etc.). Even the décor used contain textured elements such as those found in the light fixtures which contain glass orbs and wood/bamboo textured lanterns.
SHAPE
TEXTURE
PATTERN
COLOR + PATTERN In Polynesian culture, many geometric patterns can be seen which represents different natural, organic, Earth elements from animals to waves and so forth. This can be found throughout the resort in the décor such as rugs, furniture to symbols located in the ceilings and walls.
Color + Variety|HOSPITALITY
CONCLUSION|EXPERIENCE Extremely rich in culture, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort surely knows how to captivate the public using every inch of the resort to tell a story. Textures combined with colors, shapes and patterns make this resort unlike any other. In addition to those elements, instrumental music is softly playing in the background and aromatic tropical, organic scents permeate throughout, further enhancing your senses to add to an unforgettable Polynesian experience. The architects of Disney definitely got their design correct, masterfully combining every element to create balance, rhythm, emphasis, unity, harmony and variety.
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Color + Variety|HOSPITALITY
COLOR + BALANCE
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COLOR + BALANCE RENDERING Dominant Secondary
Accent 2 Accent 3
Accent 1
Secondary
GRAY – Known for being a stable color, indicating a long useful life, technology, intelligence, wealth in association with silver and platinum PURPLE – Luxury, used to indicate indulgence or expensive items, bravery, mystery, royalty, sacred, aristocratic LAVENDER – Spiritual, soft, atmosphere GREEN – Relaxed, growth, renewal, eternal life; Green is the warmest of the cool colors. Regarded as the most “natural” color; excellent color to bring the “outdoors indoors”; freshness, youthful, healthy, tranquility, peaceful, wealthy
Color + Balance|RENDERING
DESCRIPTION The color palette here is a combination of monochromatic and complimentary, applying hues of purples and greens with more of a gray tint. The combination of grays, purples, and greens used here evokes a tranquil, relaxing, and calming atmosphere. There are subtle pops of more saturated purples and greens as accent colors. In order to achieve balance, the 60-30-10 rule is used.
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60%
The dominant color used here is gray. Variations of gray was used throughout the room from the gray wood floors to the accent stone wall, and a lighter shade of gray used for the couch.
30%
The secondary colors are the lighter shades of green and lavender/purple. The lighter green is used as the curtain/blinds on the window and the table and stand. The lavender is used on the walls.
10%
The accent colors are comprise of the medium and darker shade of purples and the darker, hunter green hues. These accent colors can be found framing the window, on the ceiling, inside the stand, on the rug, and in the flower arrangements and picture.
Color + Balance|RENDERING
Variety is also another key component of design as it adds interest and excitement to a space with the usage of color. A variety of stimulating color solutions can be invented for different interior design projects and applied to your daily life.
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PROJECT: One-Workplace DESIGNER: Design Blitz LOCATION: 2500 De La Cruz Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA 95050, USA
COLOR + VARIETY
Workplace Design Analysis Nguyen
Color + Variety|WORKPLACE
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DISCUSSION | ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS
One Workplace is the largest furniture dealer in Northern California, transforming a warehouse into a showroom that embodies innovation and progression for both its employees and customers. Collaborating with Design Blitz, One Workplace is able to create movement, openness and a layered environment. The theme is urban regeneration and the concept of transit innovation served as inspiration for the design theme. In order to achieve this environment, a variety of elements needed to coexist. The color scheme chosen contains red, yellow-green, purple, and blue in the mix of neutral tones.
line LINE
COLOR + LINE In order to create a layered environment, a variety of lines were used. The prominent curved lines on the platform creates movement. The use of color and contrast is used to add emphasis. The vertical columns intercepts the curved platform, creating upward/downward movement, accentuates height and directs viewers towards the ceiling.
SHAPE
COLOR + SHAPE Breathing further life into the design, shapes are added in the form of furniture, textiles, light fixtures, and dĂŠcor. Blue square accents on the wall and in the furniture makes the space more intriguing. The monochromatic rectangular design on the wall, furniture and floor creates more movement.
TEXTURE
COLOR + TEXTURE Sticking to the theme of regeneration, to incorporate texture, the designers brought the outside in. Patches of grass adds texture to a plain white wall. Wood floors are used to create a more natural feel and provides more sensory and visual contrast. COLOR + PATTERN The use of glass and circular patterns, resembling dots, filters in light, creating an interesting visual space in a corridor
PATTERN
Color + Variety|WORKPLACE
CONCLUSION|EXPERIENCE One Workplace’s vision was able to be carried out with Design Blitz’ architectural expertise. They were able to create a multilevel, industrial, multi-functional indoor-outdoor environment. Every room utilizes color and variety from the curved conference room platforms to the café and work areas. What was once an empty warehouse is now an impressive, regenerated showroom and workspace.
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NGUYEN
+ Variety|WORKPLACE COLOR + VARIETYColor _ WORKPLACE
Color has been incorporated into our lifestyles. Lifestyle is intimately connected with tastes in color. Its meanings, however, can vary from culture to culture. Appreciation and respect for cultural difference is important during the design process. Many factors including geography, religion, tradition, and shifting political power, can contribute to a wide cultural difference in color preference and symbolism.
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Color + Culture
COLOR + CULTURE
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Color + Culture
INTRODUCTION
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COLOR + Culture | VIETNAM My CULTURE and country is Vietnam. The culture of Vietnam is one of the oldest in Southeast Asia. It was once heavily influenced by Chinese culture until colonized by the French. Like most Eastern cultures, Vietnamese culture is centered around kinship and family and plays a vital role in color symbolism. Superstition and belief are large parts of daily Vietnamese life. Brighter colors are associated with happier events, such as weddings, celebrations and festivals. Vietnamese New Year, Táşżt, is the biggest celebration in Vietnamese culture and the main focus is on colors: red and yellow.
COLOR Palette RED
GOLDEN YELLOW
WHITE
GREEN
BLUE
VIETNAM
Most dominant color used; happiness, love, luck, celebration; traditional color for Buddhism; wards off demons & evil spirits; Blood
Wealth, prosperity, royalty, happiness, change; color of the emperors; traditional color for Buddhism; represents the Vietnamese people & freedom
This is the flag that represents the south Vietnamese before overtaken by communism in 1944. The flag consists of a yellow field and three horizontal red stripes and can be explained as either symbolizing the unifying blood running through northern, central, and southern Vietnam, or as representing the symbol for "south"
Purity, death, the end; Can be seem on clothing to represent purity. Also worn to represent death at funerals
Leaves, nature; Such as on a Jade bracelet, when worn, represents wealth as well as healing properties & protects from bad luck, spirits & thoughts
The sky, ocean, calmness, hope, growth. Can be seen often on clothing
Although this is currently the national flag and was adopted in 1945, many Vietnamese affiliate this with communism, North Vietnam. Yellow here represents the Vietnamese people, Red symbolizes revolution and blood. The five-pointed gold star represents five main classes in Vietnamese society intellectuals, farmers, workers, traders and soldiers
Color + Culture
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Color + Culture
COLOR + Culture | ITALY
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COLOR Palette GREEN
WHITE
RED
GOLD or YELLOW
BLUE
ITALY
Hope (religious), symbolizes landscape of spring (the plains and the hills) & youthfulness
Faith (religious), the snowy Alps and other mountain regions
Charity (religious), worn for good luck in the New Year, blood spilt in the Italian wars of Independence
Divinity; Used in religion & churches; Used on ceramics & paintings, natural pigment derived from earth near Mount Vesuvius in Naples. National color, together with the tri-color is the symbol of Italy; the heavens; water surrounding country; used in sports
A country probably on everyone’s bucket list, Italy is extremely rich in history and culture. From their architecture to their landscapes, Italy’s lifestyle provides strong, vibrant colors. Italy’s flag symbolizes freedom and unity. The colors on the flag represents “Meadow Green, Milk White & Tomato Red”. The red and green together represents the country’s Catholic faith. Blue, Azzuro, is the official color of the Royal House of Savoy and this tribute to the Italian monarchy survives today. It is the National color, together with the tricolor (green, white, red) is the symbol of Italy.
Color + Culture
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CONCLUSION|EXPERIENCE Color and design shape behavior, behavior shapes culture, and culture shapes design. Our world is ever changing, and design is ever evolving. Color is a universal means to express and share cultures. It does not matter who you are or where you come from, the use of color enables us all to tell our story.
Color + Culture
Color is uncontainable, unsustainable and constantly changing. It is a language that is spoken through the form of expression. It allows us to reveal the message that we are trying to convey. It is everything we encounter in the world. There is no limitation on how we use color. Let colors encompass your life and assist you in telling your story. Live colorfully and expressively.
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REFERENCES • • • • •
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Eakin, S. J. (2005). Salons and Spas: The architecture of beauty. Gloucester, Massachusetts: Rockport Publishers. Reed, R. (201-). Color + Design: Transforming Interior Space. New York, New York: Fairchild Books. http://archinect.com/firms/project/12183539/qiora-store-spa/14868298 https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/polynesian-resort/ https://fiu.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/pid-4357870-dt-content-rid41768548_1/courses/1161-IND5325VC1161-11118/1161-IND5325VC116111118_ImportedContent_20151218010023/color%20rules%20%2B%20rendering_60-3010%282%29.pdf https://fiu.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/pid-4357869-dt-content-rid41768565_1/courses/1161-IND5325VC1161-11118/1161-IND5325VC116111118_ImportedContent_20151218010023/how%20do%20we%20talk%20about%20color %281%29.pdf http://baohouse.net/post/16435862965/color-connotations-in-the-vietnamese-culture http://globalpropaganda.com/articles/TranslatingColours.pdf http://www.archdaily.com/407806/one-workplace-design-blitz http://www.aro.net/#qiora http://www.basin.com http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-16567315 http://www.commisceo-global.com/country-guides/vietnamguide?highlight=YTozOntpOjA7czoxMDoidmlldG5hbWVzZSI7aToxO3M6NzoiY3VsdH VyZSI7aToyO3M6MTg6InZpZXRuYW1lc2UgY3VsdHVyZSI7fQ== http://www.coroflot.com/karyltyj/Qiora-Store-n-Spa http://www.cdlab.jp/english/profile.html http://www.dnp.co.jp/CGI/gallery/schedule/detail.cgi?l=2&t=1&seq=00000556 http://www.explore-italian-culture.com/italian-flag-colors.html http://www.qiora.com/ http://www.vietnam-culture.com/