COLOR THEORY Marta Niagolova
Pink is a tint of the color RED.
4-5 6-7 8-19 20-29 30-31 32-33 34-35 36-43 44-45 46-49 50-55 56-59 60-61
Green and Yellow are Tertiary colors. Each made by combining a secondary hue with one of the primaries
COLOR & You & Culture COLOR & Theory COLOR & Designers COLOR & Film COLOR & Balance COLOR & Healthcare COLOR & Rhythm COLOR & Retail COLOR & Scale COLOR & Rendering COLOR & Hospitality COLOR & Workplace CONCLUSION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COLOR & YOU
My name is Marta and I am a second year graduate student studying INTERIOR DESIGN. I am from Sofia, BULGARIA, but currently living in Miami. I enjoy traveling and experiencing new culturee, hiking, museums and the unique architecture found in different countries and cities. I am quite passionate about PHOTOGRAPHY and food. I love to COOK and experiment with techniques and flavors, while keeping it VEGETARIAN based. I have traveled in Europe, Canada and on the West and East coast of the United States. I really want to visit Asia and South America as well. In the future I would like to find myself on the WEST COAST, where hiking would be more of a possibility.
In this assignment we observed how color plays a role in our cultural background. Focusing on the historical, cultural and symbolic meanings of color. In conclusion, I believe I am now able to understand more of what different colors can symbolize, not only my own cultural, but in others as well.
COLOR THEORY is the study and practice of a set of principles used to understand the relationships among colors. Without LIGHT there is no color and color transforms as light is EXPERIENCED . An important thing to remeber, as designers is that color materials and lighting types should be selected simultaneously ro create harmony within the interior. There are two basic types of color mixing: with light and pigment. ADDITIVE COLOR involves mixing light with the primary-light colors red, green and blue. These colors mixed together result in white. SUBTRACTIVE COLOR involved mixing pigment and applies to paint, dyes, colorants and ink. The primary colors in this case are blue,red and yellow, when dealing with printing and cyan, magenta and yellow when dealing with photography. A few key theorists that we examined in this Chapter were ISSAC NEWTON,
ALBERT H. MUNSELL, JOSEF ALBERS, JOHANNES ITTEN AND FABER BIRREN. In this assignment we began to gain an understand of multiple theories on associated with color. I also began to understand how light effects color and how as a designer I can effect how color is experienced. In conclusion, I am now able to understand and reference color language and theories.
COLOR & THEORY
COLOR & DESIGNERS
With this assignment, we began to get more comfortable making presentations, while also learning about well known INTERIOR DESIGNERS. I chose to focus on the work of LUIS BARRAGAN. I really love his used of color on both the interior and exterior of his designs. Eventhough I had previously seen his work, with this assignment I got to dig deeper into his life and understand the concepts and meanings behind his design.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed this assignment and liked to look through the designer’s other students chose to focus on and I was able to learn information that I hadn’t previously.
LUIS BARRAGAN Casa Luis Barragan 1948
HISTORY
Luis Barragan was born in Guadalajara in Jalisco, Mexico in 1902. He studied as an engineer and architect, but after his travels to Europe he became fascinated with Landscape Architecture through his visits to General ife of Granada and the Mediterranean coast. He began his work with residential design living in Mexico City. His work focused mainly on contemporary architecture and traditional Mexican “It is a masterpiece within the development of design of spaces such the modern movement, which integrates into a as convents. His most important work is Casa new synthesis traditional and vernacular Luis Barragan, built in elements, as well as diverse philosophical and 1948, which was recognized by UNESCO artistic currents of all time.” – UNESCO as part of the World Heritage List, in 2004). While his work takes strong influence from modern architecture, Barragan incorporated traditional Mexican colors into his architecture, as well as pottery and furniture. Spirituality also a great influence and can be experienced throughout his spaces, with the use of light, shadow and color.
EXTERIOR
The exterior looks almost unfinished and remains concrete and is natural in color. While only the doors display a pop of color. An orange wall is visible at the top, contrasted by the white tower that was used as a water tank. The unfinished concrete is in a way misleading, and conceals the brights colors that hide within the interior. It is also important to note that the building is of larger scale than the rest of the buildings on the block, this is the main reason to why it stands out.
THE ENTRANCE
The entrance which is used as the waiting area is a very bright yellow, which comes from the colored class on the light, and its dimension, a very small closed in space, works as a “pause that precedes the Mexican or Mediterranean house, the convents or the monasteries.� The space is made up of several materials, natural woods to the left that form a seating area and further warm the space, as well as stone that makes up the floor. In this image the, the pink wall that is located in the foyer is also visible and is very striking.
FOYER
The foyer features the same volcanic stone seen through the entrance, which is often used as pavement on the exterior and attempts to create a feeling of a courtyard that is located within the house. The great pink wall reflects onto the white stairs with a pink hue.
LIVING ROOM
The living room features white-washed walls that are high and create a very open space. They also perfectly frame a large window that is the focus of the room and opens the space to the garden allowing the green garden to come into the space. The furniture is solid wood and the rest of the materials used are leathers, wool and vegetable fibers, no industrial materials, this use of natural materials mimics the green garden that is perturbing into the space through the window.
LIBRARY
The living room and library are separated by two half height walls that form a small office space. The library features the great wooden stairs that lead to a wood door and a bright yellow floor that along with the window floods the space with light. A large wooden bookcase is opposite of the staircase.
LIVING ROOM
Within the workshop the user is confronted with a space that seems to have flipped, while now the wood beams on the ceiling are now washed in yellow and the floor is constructed out of wood. The geometric form of the chimney stands out with its bright yellow top and white rectangular base.
TERRACE
On the terrace and patio, we begin to see great contrast from along the façade. High walls create these spaces, some are concrete and very natural and rough and texture, but here we see a large contrast with the addition of pink and orange walls. These outdoor areas also feature a large amount of “I don’t paint greens, I vegetation with such as leave those to mother the high tops of trees and green vines that grow on nature.” the walls. Barragan often used high feature walls, used to keep out noise from the surrounding urban streets and create a space where one can retreat to and gain
“Only in intimate communion with solitude can man find himself. Solitude is a good company and my architecture is not for those who fear or shun it.� -Luis Barragan
I really enjoyed doing the research and watching this film. The COLOR used were incredible and I really began to see why each scene used specific colors to emphsize different emotions. I believe that reading into the last assignment really helped me pick up on different colors and their meanings and how they effect the perception of design.
I believe that especially after reading the chapter it was very easy to begin to understand how the colors really push the theme of the film.
COLOR & FILM
HER
Directed by Spike Jonze
SUMMARY Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), a sensitive lonely writer, is going through a rough divorce while employed as a writer, writing love letters for other people. Theodore quickly develops a relationship with Samantha (Scarlett Johansson), intelligent computer operating system, personified through a female voice. While their relationship progresses, Theodore begins to struggle with feelings of great joy and doubts about his relationship with Samantha. Can he truly be in love with an operating system? Is this intimacy in the modern world?
CREATIVE Theodore is a creative individual, working for a com-
in other people’s love lives.
pany composing heartfelt letters for other individ-
Scenes set in his work place are created with vibrant
uals who cannot write themselves. He learns about
colors that represent his creative side. The compli-
the unique relationships over time and creates
mentary colors of green and red with pops of yellow
letters based on what he discovers about each rela-
and blues create a balanced space that symbolizes
tionship. In this way he becomes intimately involved
Theodore’s strengths as a creative.
Red symbolizes his passion for his work and love, while green symbolizes growth as a creative individual.
ALONE In the beginning of the film we observe Theodore in a scene where he seems to blend into his background representing him as alone. The scene uses muted hues of brown, that represent the comfort of home, this relates to Theodore in the beginning of the film because he is seen being home alone playing virtual reality games.
RED The color red stands out throughout the film in various elements like at Theodore’s workplace, the color of his shirts, and the actual the actual OS, Samantha. In this scene we observe Theodore as he is installing the new artificial intelligence system, the screen is a red hue and this color matches up with the shirt that Theodore has on, this symbolizes the connection that will form between the two. Red symbolizes the love that will soon grow, as well the courage of Theodore to allow himself to love again.
CONNECTION Within this scene we again see Theodore blending into his surroundings, the color palette is again created by natural colors, tints and tones of brown and yellow. His blind date (Olivia Wilde) has a dark red dress on which can be read as sexy and attractive. Theodore’s yellow shirt represents his sense of optimism for the future of his love life.
COMPLIMENTARY The color palette throughout the whole film feels very consistent and compliments the aesthetic of every scene. We observe Theodore surrounded by the color green, which symbolizes growth and renewal, this gives an overall explanation of him throughout the film. He has lost his marriage and in turn lost sight of love, but through his courage he begins to grow and find love again in a different way. The red of his shirt compliments the green and does not seem to be taken over, this shows the balance of the color palette as well as his courage to find love again.
COLOR & BALANCE
In this chapter, we looked at BALANCE and how we as designers can create balance with the use of color. Balance refers to the relationship of different hues to one another when each is perceived to be equal in perceived visual weight. There are three types of balance: SYMMETRY, ASYMMETRY and RADIAL BALANCE. The chapter also went into detail on the ways in which balance can be achieved through color application. The four types of balance : VALUE CONTRAST (light/dark), HUE BALANCE (complements), INTENSITY CONTRAST (bright/dull) and SIZE OF COLOR AREA (large/small).
In conclusion, this assignment has helped me get a better understanding of how to incorporate and create a good color scheme for upcoming projects. It also has helped me understand that rooms can contain as little as one color and should contain no more than five, or this can cause a multiple-color overload.
This assignment went into detail about the use of color in a health care setting. It focused on how color can specifically effect and be PERCEIVED and how factors like an observer’s age, vision capacity, and mental health can impact color perception. It further discussed research that has been done on the effects of color on CALMING AND AROUSAL, color and SPACIOUSNESS, and color and THERMAL COMFORT . It was also interesting to learn about wayfinding signage, because it is something that is very important in interior space and can be created in many differnt ways.
In conclusion, I found this article very interesting and I was surprised to learn about how many different factors can be influenced just by the use of color. I also appreciate that there was a section on some popular myths with the use of color in health care.
COLOR & HEALTHCARE
COLOR & RHYTHM
The RHYTHM of color can guide us like a map and help us understand the functionality of a space. This chapter introduced us to the different types of rhythm that are associated with color: REPETITION, ALTERNATION, PROGRESSION, CONTINUATION and RADIATION . Color can also be used with line to outline a space which is an effective and simple way to introduce rhythm. Using BIO-INSPIRED colors that we observe in our natural environment can help us introduce both a sense of CONNECTION and rhythm into an interior.
In conclusion, rhythm can significantly effect wayfinding, but it can also allow us to understand our surroundings. When we introduce rhythm into our interior space, we begin to feel a sense of continuity helping us better experience our surroundings.
I enjoyed this assignment because it forced us to actually experience the interior design of different RETAIL locations. I believe this is very usefull information because we can observe what works and does not work. This can help us when designing, in not making similar mistakes. With the assignment, we were asked to focus on important design elements FOCAL POINTS , that can capture your attention and also guide you into an interior. Emphasis on VALUE, HUE, TEXTURES and SHAPES, which are all things we have learned throughout the semester.
In conclusion, I think this field trip definitely allowed me to better understand how color can effect how you interact and perceive a space that you are in. With retail design, I believe it is very important to capture the attention of your customer, and create a space that is unique, but also sells the product.
COLOR & RETAIL
NIKE FLAGSHIP STORE Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach
emphasis with COLOR DOMINANCE Emphasis is a design tool that creates points of visual interest in a space as well as being used for wayfinding. The greatest visual emphasis in a space belongs to the focal point. The focal point can be used as a design element that attracts users into the space. In this case, the focal point is highlighted with the use of a contrasting color, size, as well as, by using directional movement to guide the users eye upwards through the space. The large stairs in the middle of the space, is made up of a black metal material with a cement base, where seating is located. The black color stands out and is dominant, making it a focal point. The size of the stairway is also dominating and commands attention as soon as the customer enters the space. This form of emphasis guides the users of the space upward, to promote movement and exploration of the building.
Stairs located in the center on the space in black.
contrast of HUE and VALUE The contrast of hue within a space can help to create vicual focal points. Adding contrasting colors can help grab the users attention and guide them through the space. Within this specific building, we only observe nutural tones of light browns from the wood, white, black and grays from the cement used throughout the space. The color can be observed only in the signage being used, as well as the artist mural that is located in the space. Value contrast is more in focus within this space, as we observe the light/dark contrast of white, black and gray values and not so much chromatic hues. This allow the colors of the actual products, shoes, clothing and accessories to stand out and be on display.
Wood located on walls around fixtures, and in specific areas, on the floor.
Cement located throughout the space, specifically within the circulation.
contrast of DESIGN FEATURE Emphasis can be created by the use of unique design features. These features can be unique to the space based on their shape and form, they can stand out by using size or different colors. Within the building we encounter an emphasis on large works and phrases, this design fetures calls attention to the brand. One of the largest forms of this design feature is used on the staircase and reads “MIA� with a Nike swoosh featured through it, that is illuminated, adding to its design. This calls attention to both the brand and the location of the flagship store.
MIA sign, located on the bottom of the stairs.
contrast of TEXTURE The use of different textures can call emphasis to different aspects within a space. In this building we observe three prominent textural materials, dark metals, cement, and warmer pale woods. The metals make up the fixtures that display the clothing and shoes, the dark color allows the products to stand out within the displays. The woods are prominently used on the walls and in some areas on the floors, helping to warm the space slightly. The circulation are is mainly made up of polished cement, as well as carpet.
COLOR & SCALE
SCALE refers to the size of a shape in relation to a given known, while PROPORTION is defined as the size relationships between elements and the visual composition or space. Color can be used to change our visual perception of a space’s actual size. The chapter goes on to explain different methods that can be used to establish proportional relationships, such as, GOLD SECTION and FIBONACCI SEQUENCE, both mathmatical proportions that can be experienced in nature.
In conclusion, to create an aesthetically pleasing space, an interior designer has to understand both proportion as well the scale of color. We can manipulate these elements to create a space that seems more open than it actually is, or on the other hand more intimite ,
For the rendering assignment, we were asked to search for a palette and begin to actually work on incorporating it into a rendered design of a living room. I found this assignment very helpful and creative. I learned about the 60-30-10 RULE, which states that about 60 percent of a space should be neutral, DOMINANT COLOR, 30 percent should be a SECONDARY COLOR, and 10 percent should be an ACCENT COLOR.
I enjoyed this assignment, I haven’t rendered too much in photoshop because I normally use Revit to render and then add certain aspects in Photoshop. So this is something I need practice in and this assignment allowed me to do some basic techniques, I obviously still need a lot more work, as far as rendering more realistically within Photoshop.
COLOR & RENDERING
GREEN Green is both used as a secondary, as well as, an accent color in darker shades. Green is a relaxing color that referrences nature.
GRAY Gray is the dominant color used in the space, it can be seen in different hues on the walls as well as in some of the textiles and furniture pieces. It is a neutral color and allows the secondary and accent colors to stand out.
PINK The hues of pink are used throughout the space as an accent color that is incorporated into the furniture textiles as well as some of the fixtures. Pink
COLOR PALETTE For the color palette, I wanted to find something very neutral. I wanted the space to give a feeling of calm and focus on natural colors and materials. Green being the secondary color because it is seen as the “most natural” color. I used wood material for the major furniture pieces in the space to further reference nature. The pink is used as an accent color, this was to bring a more feminine color, that didn’t overwhelm the space.
COLOR SCHEME : COMPLEMENTARY The color scheme used in this design is complementary because it is made up of tints, tones and shades of two colors that are opposite one another on the color wheel. In the design, I used tints and shades of green, as well
COLOR & HOSPITALITY
With this assignment we were asked to understand and look for VARIETY, a key principle of design. Variety is created in designs with a combination of one or more color elements that use LINE, SHAPE, TEXTURE and/or PATTERN. We discovered these elements throughout the interiors of some of the best Hotels in Miami.
In conclusion, I was able to observe how designers used these elements to create unique spaces, how color palettes were unique to the design of the hotel and how they made you feel.
SUMMARY
Project : Designer : Location :
1 Hotel Meyer Davis Frim Miami Beach, FL
The 1 Hotel’s Lobby features two distinct areas, upon entering the space you are welcomed into a space with a double height ceiling. With the use of different white materials, textiles, stone and furniture, in contrasts with warm woods, that are incorporated into the floor, ceiling and furniture pieces. These materials create a space that feels open, airy and comfortable. The use of wood throughout the lobby brings natural elements into the space. As you move towards the open lobby area, the ceilings drop and the space becomes more intimate. The division between these two areas is formed by stone columns and long white drapes, and is also apparent by the decrease of lighting. This unique contrast forms a public as well as a semi private area where visitors can sit and relax, while being able to have more intimate conversations.
Color and Shape In this detail and throughout the lobby, I observed squares, rectangles and circles. The 1 Hotel lobby features a contrast between solid columns, solid rectangular table tops and wooden features that are made up of rectangular and square shapes, and more organic shapes in the form of live-edge wood table tops and wood furniture pieces made up of tree branches. This contrast creates a space that feels both organized and stable as well as natural. In the image we observe the live-edge table top along with circular stools, as well as the wooden wall shelving created by square openings that leads up towards the ceiling. The second floor is seen towards the back, created by a rectangular shape in wood, that divides the two floors.
Color and Line In this detail, I observed both horizontal and vertical lines. The line detail I chose is created by a recess in the ceiling that creates a contrast between the wood ceiling material and the white stone column and drape coming from the opening. The vertical lines are formed by the columns coming from the recessed ceiling and symbolize stability and strength. The way also emphasize the height of the space. The horizontal lines are formed by the recessed opening that is also a light feature. The break up the vertical surface of the wood ceiling and create division between the seating areas. The also create a visual pattern because they repeat and guide you into the space and lead towards the bar area.
Color and Texture The 1 Hotel features a variety of textures, which I mentioned, but the detail I chose is a focal wall that is seen as soon as visitors enter the hotel lobby. It is located on the right side and is a floor to ceiling wall feature that uses moss to create an image of a person swimming. This imagery relates to the fact that the hotel is on the beach. The moss is coming through cut-out lines in the white wall. This texture ties into the rest of the space because it is created with the use of organic elements, similar to the wood materials used in various elements in the lobby. The green color of the moss stands out and
Color and Pattern In this detail, pattern is creative by the repetitive use of different size wooden panels. The use of these panels allows the design to remain open, since it isn’t a solid wall, but at the same time divides the different areas. This design feature is both visually interesting as well as functional as a divider. The choice to make the pattern asymmetrical also adds a unique element.
With this assignment we were able to analyze a workspace, considering it’s variety in it’s use of LINE, SHAPE, TEXTURE and/or PATTERN. Similar to the previous assignment on the design of a hospitality space, I began to observe the palette used and how the different colors effected the space both visually and psychologically. Wayfinding and focal points were also observed.
In, conclusion, I found this assignment interesting, because I was able to observe the difference in use of design elements from the hotel analysis. Colors and design elements used in the hotel were incorporated completely differently and created different feelings within the workplace.
COLOR & WORKPLACE
Color and Line The Macqurie Bank workspace, incorporated a lot of different line elements. The elements lead your gaze up as you enter into the building and also across with the addition of the container like meeting rooms. The textured line wall seen in the image to the right, doesn’t really stand out for it’s use of color, especially not like the rest of the spaces, but it does lead your gaze upwards and then into the blue meeting area. This meeting area, unlike some of the more basic containers, uses lines to create a more geometric glass wall.
Color and Shape Shape and color are used throughout the space, creating meeting areas, where employees can have either a private or a semi private conversation. With the green booth shown on the right, the space is not completely closed off, but still creates a more intimite space where people can meet, that isn’t specifically a meeting room. If employees need a more private room, they can distinguish a meeting room by it’s color as well as the number visible from below.
Color and Pattern Patterns are created with the use of very vibrant colors. Furniture pieces like the modular sofa piece, are used in different parts of the building and are used to encourage socializing.
Color and Texture Textures are created by the use of wood as well as fabrics that are used as dividers, that allow for an open but at the same time enclose certain areas. The used of wood as a divider and minor enclosure also brings a natural element, that some of the building seems to lack.
SUMMARY I really enjoy the pops of color used to connect the work space with the more social open areas in the atrium like center of the building. Looking up you can be encouraged by the teamwork that is occuring all around you in the container like meeting rooms. The colors are bright and playful, so as to not make the workplace dull. White plays a huge roll as well and grounds the design.
CONCLUSION
This course has really made me look for colors when entering a space and actually think about how they are working to guide me, but also to help me understand the unique functions of areas. A major takeaway is the importance of thinking about color in the initual stages of the design process. I see how it will strengthen and help to further develop the design concept. Color has to be well thoughtout and can be pushed even further with the correct use of design elements to create variety, but not overwhelm. I would have to say that the film analysis was my favorite assignment in the course, but I also really enjoyed the reading material, it was really easy to follow along to and quite interesting. Chegg won’t be getting this book back.!!