COLOR THEORY
FINAL BOOK
IND 1181 Darci Pappano NATALIE MOLINA
TABLE OF CONTENTS M1 HELLO ABOUT ME M2 COLOR & CULTURE U.S. & INDIA M3 COLOR THEORY BASICS Properties of Light and Color M4 CASA BARRAGAN Precedent Analysis Study M5 COLOR & PERCEPTION Behavioral Response precedent Analysis Study M6 LIFE OF PI Film Color Analysis
M7 COLOR & BALANCE M8 Galeria Melissa Retail Project Analysis M9 COLOR THEORY Proportion & Scale M10 FONTAINEBLEAU Commercial Project Analysis M11 Pandora Media Workplace Analysis CONCLUSION
M1 HELLO ABOUT ME
DESIGN
Design is fascinating. It requires spatial organization, creativity, critical thinking and innovation. It is both hands on and visual.
D2 Musical Notation
D1 Cube Model
D2 Casa James Analysis
D3 Ironside Cafe
D2 Artist House Floor Plan
BACKGROUND
I am from Miami Fl. I am Hispanic. My parents are form Cuba and Guatemala. I have a family of 6: one brother and two sisters. I am a full time student, living at home. I speak English and Spanish. I have lived in the Dominican Republic, South Carolina, Texas, and Florida. I became focused on design after my first year in college. I heard about the Interior Architecture program and dove in-head first. It is something I have alwasy been drawn to since I was little and I love learning about design.
COLOR PREFERENCES
My favorite color, since I was little, has been aqua as it reminds me of the ocean. I also love any shade of blue. I am normally drawn to neutrals including white, beiges and grays. I also enjoy using and seeing vibrant hues like orange and yellow in interiors.
M2 COLOR & CULTURE
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M3 COLOR THEORY BASICS Key People from this Module Sir Isaac Newton published his work in a book called Optiks. He was interested in the physics of color and developed the first color wheel. He also discovered refracted colors. Albert Munsell developed the three dimensions of color: hue, value, and chroma. He also published the book called A color notation, and developed the color system known as the color tree. Josef Albers was the Chair of the Design Department at Yale University. He investigated illusions of color using colored paper. He also published a book called The Interaction of Color and taught at the Bauhaus School in Germany. Johannes Itten was a painter, textile designer and color theory teacher. She wrote several books on color theory including: The Elements of Color and the Art of Color, developed the twelve-pointed color star, and was the first to explore color through shape and form using astrology cultural traditions and symbols. Faber Birren published 25 books and was one of the first color theorists to recognize the human biological and psychological responses to color.
Properties of Light and Color Tint- addition of white Tone- addition of gray Shade- addition of black Hue- pure color Value- lightness/darkness Chroma- purity of a color/ nothing added
-Without light there is no color. Colored light consists of a series of wavelengths, each varying in length and strength. The colored light we see is called the visible spectrum. -Three properties of light: refraction, reflection, diffraction. -Some of the physical conditions that alter the visual perceptions of color are age, gender, and personality. -Additive color involves mixing with light while subtractive color involves mixing with pigment. -CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black Key factor that determines a color characteristic in the interior environment is whether it is a textile, material, or surface.
M4 CASA BARRAGAN Precedent Analysis Study
MEET THE ARCHITECT LOUIS BARRAGAN Barragan studied both civil engineering and architecture. He became very interested in landscape architecture after taking a trip to Europe for study and leisure. He was especially drawn to the gardens in the cities, and incorporating that into his designs.
USE OF COLOR IN THE BARRAGAN HOUSE Entrance Hall
This small entrance is a mixture of both Mexican and Mediterranean influence. The lighting in the room is dyed with a yellow glass. This yellow engages the senses with the sharpness of the bright hue. The use of wood and stone bring a natural element to warm the space.
USE OF COLOR IN THE BARRAGAN HOUSE Vestibule
The door to this space divides the golden glow of the entrance hall from the more intense lighting of the vestibule. From the outside, light shines onto the gold surface of an abstract piece, and shines onto the pink walls.
CONCLUSION The chromatic experience can be understood as a complementary sequence. The yellow of the entrance hall saturates the pupil to receive the pink of the vestibule. This pink also works as preparation and catalyst, for the dining room, which contains the intense shady green of the garden as background. REF:(http://www.casaluisbarragan. org/eng/en_vestibulo.html)
M5 COLOR & PERCEPTION Behavioral Response
Key Points from this Module 1. Color is emotionally subjective.
6. Color response is highly personal. Tests conducted on color emotions showed yellow, blue, and orange to be happy and red,black,brown to be sad (this may vary in context).
2. Factors that drive designers include: styles, aesthetics, behavior, emotions, and symbolic meaning based on age, gender, cultural difference, pragmatic value, and what the space needs to work 7. Color can effect emotions, brainwaves, and well and personal preference. biological responses (hear rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, body temperature). 3. Color is usually studied separately from composition and design principles and elements 8. Chromotherapy: process of using colored light because it is so complex and it is usually and color to help treat certain illnesses incorporated in early design stages. 9. The eye sends info to brain through optic nerve. 4. Commercial & public spaces require more Cones: light and color receptors. Rods: depth and informed decisions about color use and application value receptors. as it can affect the health, safety, and welfare of the clients and users of space. 10. Color occurs through from varying degrees of absorption of light energy with the remaining light 5. Humans can discriminate between very subtle reflecting off object into the eye which we perceive differences in color. The human eye can see as high as color. White is the absence of color because it as 7-10 million colors. reflects all the light, while black absorbs all of the light and is usually hot.
M6 LIFE OF PI Film Color Analysis
Summary: In this film, an Indian family called the Patels decide to sell their zoo and move to Canada. The family boards a large freighter with their sons and some of their animals and begin the long journey. On their way, a terrible storm causes the ship to sink. Everyone struggles to get on a life boat but unfortunately the storm leaves Pi, one of the Patel sons, as the only survivor along with a fierce Bengal tiger. For months Pi and the tiger survive together traveling through mystical places and learning to trust each other. Their journey and survival proves their ability to survive harsh conditions and discover who they are.
Storm Scene
Red: This scene is the scene that changes the journey from a family moving, to a challenge for survival. All of the family members except for Pi, are killed in this scene because of the severe storm. The color red appears all over the scene, even though it is not a typical color associated with the ocean. There seems to be a red filter over the camera casting a warm glow over the ocean and struggling members of the Patel family. This was important in using the color red to signify danger and a critical condition. This was an insightful decision to enhance the emotions of the scene. The red is also used as a foreshadow of what Pi has to face next: a long journey with a fierce, unfriendly tiger.
The color red is an important color throughout the film. It always is associated with the emotions of fear and danger.
M7 COLOR & BALANCE Key Points in this Chapter Balance:
relationship of different hues to one another to be equal in perceived visual weight. Includes: object size and scale visual weight of the color (heavy/light). amount of color used number of colors used + visual weight of the colors location of colors within space
2. Hue Balance Complementary: when placed next to each other, intensify the other hue-making each appear brighter, opposite on color wheel, very strong contrast asymmetry. 3. Intensity Contrast: (bright vs dull) Light colors tend to advance, dark colors recede. Use dark colors in bottom 1/3 space and work way lighter.
Types of Balance:
4. Size of color area: large vs small. Larger amount of color used- lighter it will appear, smaller amount of color used-darker it appears.
Types of Color Balance:
During color selection process:
Symmetry (formal balance) creating order out of chaos and bringing meaning and purpose to a space. Asymmetry (informal balance) Radial balance (radiating from a central axis)
1. Value contrast: the relative lightness or darkness of any color when compared to each other results in “weight scale� for that project. Heavy: Black, Violet, Green, Blue- darkest. Light: Orange, Red, Yellow-lightest brightest.
Determine which hue is likely to consume more of visual space, organize colors by weight, assign location to maximize your effect of increased or decreased volume A level of contrast must be present. Intense color should always be balanced with dull color or neutral (white/black/gray) to avoid eye strain from constant shift in values.
M8 GALERIA MELISSA Retail Project Analysis
DESCRIPTION This store shoe store in Soho, NY, was designed by galeria melissa + SOFTlab to add emphasis to the store and attract customers to their uniqe designs for shoes. The motto of the company is “We are Flowers� as their design for shoes focuses on colorful and organic forms. They designed a hand-engineered net full of colorful laser-cut flowers and constructed a huge structure as an installation for the store.
CONTRAST OF HUE Element of Emphasis
Definition:
Colors that are opposite on the color wheel. In this project contrast of hue can be seen in the placement of the red and green flowers side by side.
CONTRAST OF VALUE Element of Emphasis
Definition:
Contrast in light/dark, black/white. In this project contrast of value can be seen in the use of dark tree branches as shelves against a white wall.
CONTRAST OF A DESIGN FEATURE Element of Emphasis
Definition: Contrast in shape and form. In this project contrast of a design feature can be seen in the large organic structure that was installed in the orthogonal store.
CONTRAST OF TEXTURE Element of Emphasis Definition: Smooth verses rough, glossy verses matte, using changes in material mixed with color to make a dramatic contrast. In this project contrast of texture is seen in the texture of the flowers versus the slick flat walls.
FOCAL POINT Element of Emphasis
Definition: A single design element that gets the most visual emphasis in a room; a place for the eye to rest or contemplate; a wayfinding tool which can include a piece of art, furniture, or functional module; something that stands out. In this project the focal point can be seen in the portion of the structure that goes down through the two floors of the store. The focal point is emphasized by the scale as well as the function it provides for the store. It is also highlighted by the yellow paint on the surrounding walls.
M9 COLOR THEORY Proportion & Scale
NATURE IMAGES
From my backyard
SCHEMATIC COLOR PALATES
RENDERING
M10 FONTAINEBLEAU
Palette
DISCUSSION Scale Walking into Fontainebleau was an experience in itself. The grandeur of the space was the most impressive. The use of large columns and huge chandeliers along with the spacious entry and high ceilings, left me feeling as if I had entered a palace. It was welcoming, airy, and elegant.
Color The colors were dark and sophisticated. It was a contrast from the sunny day outside. Instantly, I felt more private and upscale. The coolness of the palette was also calming, and comfortable.
Texture The textures of the gold wall and chandelier added elegance and made the space feel expensive. The details in texture is what really held the whole space together.
Details The shapes and different patterns added repetition and depth to the space. It added detail on a human scale that was intimate and special in the large space.
Critique
The overall atmosphere was elegant and well put together. The colors were subtle and harmonious. They were balanced in the overall space. Emphasis was added through texture in focal points throughout, and scale worked in the hotel’s favor to make the room feel open. Although there was a lot of variety, the scale and proportion at which it was incorporated was balanced and therefore made the space functional and easy on the eye. Adding intimate details in special areas allowed for some spaces within the space to be defined. Those spaces were private. They were emphasized through their dark colors and used to break up the space and direct circulation paths.
M11 Pandora Media Workplace Analysis
Palette A variety of warm and cool tones mixed with neutrals to add emphasis to the space and draw the eye to focal points like the 2-story blue disk wall, and bright yellow meeting room.
Architectural Details
Abstracted images with wood slats
Pandora Soundstage
Meeting rooms
Blue disc wall
Conclusion The vibrant color palette and generous variety of architectural details in the space add up to make a creative workplace that is stimulating, exciting, and still professional, practical and functional. The textures, patterns and bright colors used in the space balance each other and also add to the function of the space. For example: the wooden slats conceal doors to private phone booths; the unique lettering on the crystal walls of each meeting room spell the name of the room; and the wooden stairs allow for a place for listening to music and holding meetings. Overall, this project uses design and color in a thorough, creative and interesting way. What they achieved was a vibrant work place that meets all of their needs.
CONCLUSION
COLOR theory is a study of color, science and design principles. A foundation for the fascinating study has been laid by geniuses in the past who studied physics, astrology and psychology to understand the human perception of COLOR. COLOR can not only effect a humans mood and emotions, but also their biological and psychological processes including their respiratory rate and blood pressure. It is important to design in a mindful, careful way in order to create a safe, healthy space for users and clients. Balance in COLOR is key as too many shifts in values can be irritating and uncomfortable to the eye. Bright hues should be reserved for emphasis and neutrals should make up the dominant portion of a palette. Variety in architectural details and COLOR is exciting and should be kept in mind when designing! It can be accomplished in a variety of ways but always kept to whats important and nothing extra added just for no reason. These COLORS and architectural details can be used to serve pragmatic functions in workplace environments and hospitality commercial spaces. COLOR theory is exciting and fun. It should always be applied in design for interiors!