the main role to keep in mind when applying color – Harmony!
Color Harmony – there are rules to follow in order to create something that is visually harmonic.
there needs to be an order in our composition.
this is called harmony by chromatic relationship. when we’re creating a chromatic relationship
when colors are opposite each other-
triad – combination of three colors that have the same distance between them
4 color combination – but it needs to be symmetric, doesn’t have to be the same distance between all of them but at least every two pairs.
color harmony proportion – how much color we use to balance another color, in a way that they would look equal in a composition. for example, if we use advancing colors like orange and red that have the tendency to look bigger than they really are we need to use them in a much smaller amount and use much more of a less dominant color to balance them. another example – we’ll use 7/10 purple and 3/10 yellow. up until now we saw balancing when the intensity of the colors is the same. yellow is the brightest color we have
color interaction – the perception of a color depends on their interaction and our composition. visually we read a composition as one. we see all the colors in the picture and read the whole composition. our eye’s jumping from one color to another.
Focal point – the first thing that catches my eye in a composition. can be created by color.
dissonance of color – when there isn’t any thought put into the color harmony, the composition doesn’t work = dissonance. that happens when we don’t apply any rules when selecting a color and there’s no link between them what’s or ever and the proportions are wrong.
Function of color -80% of the information a person receives is color information.
Aesthetic / style – we relate colors to style of a period, now or Renaissance, of a country Mexico or Germany.
Unify – I’m creating a unified composition we can unify it by using color – analogues colors. we can unify the composition by shape. So visually it’ll look unified.
Composition – is color shapes textures, there are different elements in it that we’re going analyze.
we have the elements of composition to guide us to create a harmonious composition with a massage.
the elements:
proportion– physical proportions the heat of the king David sculpture is head:body is 1:7 if we change the proportion the sculpture will look completely different.
Rhythm – The repetition in color has an order. two basic types of rhythm 1. controlled 2. dynamic
Balance – there are colors that are visually heavier, for example advancing colors red and orange. so if where to use a big orange object we need to balance it
there’s symmetric balance and asymmetric. asymmetrical balance is more difficult to achieve.
Unity – a successful design has a oneness with all of it’s parts.
Movement – an illusion of movement in a picture by using color. if we’re putting one object with a color in a achromatic design we won’t have a movement. we can create a visual movement by using different shades or value of hues.
when we use blue in the background it creates depth and on top of it we use orange which is an advancing color it pops out so we create an movement.
Focus – in theory focal point is the first thing you should see in the composition. when we talk about color the different thing in a picture will be the focal point and thes also the shape of the composition that creates the movement.
Contrast – strong difference between one element and the rest in a composition.
we need several things to create a composition, not just one.
1. contrast of edges- for example when taking a photo and focusing on one object we ‘ll see all it’s detail and the rest is blurry, we created a contrast of the ages.
2. contrast of detail – if for example we use a lot of fabric we’ll balance it with stone.
3. contrast o shape –
4. contrast of temperature – warm and cold colors.
5. lightest area/darkest area
Pattern –
Color interaction
Our brains rely on context to interpret any visual stimulus this is probably the most frequent trick played in countless visual illusions.
Generally humans are very good at distinguishing different levels of brightness but less good at differentiating hues and intensities.
Mixing in (tones, shades, and tints) expands the basic 12-spoke color wheel into an infinite number of colors.
Color Context – It’s important to understand how color behaves when paired with other colors and shapes to use them in the best way possible.
Color is ALWAYS relative, rule laid out by J. Albers. The same identical color can be made to look like two different colors and two different colors can be made to look the same, simply by placing them in different contexts. The reason is that Two colors, side by side, interact with one another and change our perception accordingly. The effect of this interaction is called simultaneous CONTRAST.
The real colors are not altered, only our perception of them changes.
SIMULTANEOUS CONTRAST – most intense when when two colors are complementary.
Darker surrounding color –the central square appears lighter
Lighter surrounding color –the central square appears darker
Two different colors are made to look the same value, saturation, hue, or size
COLOR EFFECTS – Spatial interpretation of the color area in relation to the total visual field. it is how we perceive a color when appears next to another.
Helmholtz-Kohlrausch Effect – Color shift in a simultaneous hue contrast.
Boundaries and outlines can create strange distortions in the way we perceive a color.
Bezold Effect – White and black outlines create completely different visual impressions when the main colors are exactly the same
COLOR
YELLOW as background color- Vivid and fresh atmosphere. Pattern colors become more soft and light.
BLUE as background color- Mood becomes gloomy. Pattern colors look darker and deeper & sharper.
Breneman Effect – As the background becomes darker, the induced lightening in the image causes all the values to appear lighter. this has the greatest impact on the darkest values. Against a light valued background the lightness contrast causes the image values to appear darker
Complementary colors look the brightest and most vibrant next to each other. The same color can look very different depending on what it’s next to.
AFTERIMAGE EFFECT – Demonstrates the interaction of color caused by interdependence of color.
After staring for half a minute at the left square, shift the focus suddenly to the right square Instead of the usual color-based afterimage that would complement the yellow circles with blue, their opposite, a shape-based afterimage is manifest as diamond shapes –the ‘leftover’ of the circles.
OPTICAL ILLUSIONS
When you have a really big contrast between colors the eye’s jumping from one color to another trying to get the whole picture. That creates the illusion of movement.
Assignment #6
The room looks like it’s a teenager’s room, that’s why I chose relaxing natural color, added some dark and light blues and mixed with two different hues of green.
Natural colors are quite neutral spatially when they’re in the light value scale, so they can accept other colors. The blue color has a lot of good psychological effects on a child and particularly when we’re talking about a teenager crazed with hormones. Blue inspires creativity and clarity, helps concentrating and memorizing information. It’s also Calming and relaxing. Green has a similar effect. It symbolizes harmony, helps to feel comfortable, relaxed and calm.
Also, the different values of the beige hue I used are considered warm colors and they balance the green and blue which are cold.
Color scheme and color board
Color scheme/pallet – The colors appearing om the composition
Color board – The color scheme and their percentage. what’s the percentage of each color in the composition.
Color Psychology
ORANGE – advancing color
Joyful color, Provides energy and Lifts the spirits. Helps to release emotions, evokes fun and Stimulates the mind to find interest in life.
Make the room look smaller because it’s an advancing color.
Awakens and stimulates our appetites!
Physical comfort, warmth, security.
Sensuality, passion, abundance.
Negative -Deprivation, frustration, frivolity, immaturity.
PINK – Calming
Sign of hope, Soothes and inspires warm and comforting feelings
Evokes femininity, softness, health and innocence. Gives a feeling of gentle warmth and nurturing.
It’s believed to alleviate feelings of irritation, aggression, loneliness, oversensitivity and vulnerability.
Negative – Inhibition, Emotional claustrophobia, Emasculation, Physical weakness.
GREY – neutral psychologically.
Pure grey is the only color that has no direct psychological properties.
Associated with Independence, Self-reliance, Self-control, Self-criticism, Authority, Practicality and Corporate mentality.
Can neutralize the intensity of a bright color but also make stand out.
Grey in design is considered monochromatic.
Negative – Lack of confidence, Dampness Depression, Hibernation and Lack of energy.
BLACK
Absence of light – All colors totally absorbed therefore.
Works well with white, Creates a perception of weight and seriousness.
Comforting and protective. Associated with Silence, The infinite and Mystery. In some cultures it symbolizes death and in some life.
Sophistication, Glamor, Security, Emotional safety, Efficiency, Substance
Negative – Oppression, Coldness, Menace, Heaviness
WHITE – pure
Visually, gives a heightened perception of space.
Clean, Hygienic, Sterile, Simplicity, Sophistication, Clarity and Efficiency.
Brings peace and comfort, White evokes purity and truthfulness.
Alleviates emotional shock and despair.
In many cultures white represents openness and truth.
Negative – Sterility, Coldness, Barriers, Unfriendliness, Elitism.
BROWN – solid and reliable
Color of the Earth. Symbolizes Warmth, Nature, Earthiness.
Alleviates insecurities, Brings a sense of stability and comfort. Seriousness
Negative – Relates to depressing emotions and fear and also to Lack of humor, Heaviness, Lack of sophistication.
Color meaning and psychology
RED – immediately gets our attention
Is a strong and powerful color therefore immediately gets our attention.
Its a lively and friendly color associated with ambition and vitality and also helps to overcome negative thoughts.
Makes things appear nearer then their are.
Stimulates and raises pulse rate.In sports, we favor the ones in red.
Stimulates appetite!
Negative – when too much red’s around us we may feel irritated, impatient and uncomfortable. Can be associated with defiance and aggression.
BLUE – world’s favorite color.
Color of the mind, inspires creativity and clarity. Clear thought and communication. Serene and mentally calming. helps memorizing information.
Dark blue – connects us to intuition and the feminine side. Calming and relaxing.
Light blue – makes us feel quiet and protected. Helps concentrate and calms.
Light + Dark = trust/trustfullness
Negative – oldness, lack of emotion, unfriendliness.
YELLOW – Strongest color psychologically.
Emotional and cheerful, color of optimism, joy and happiness.
Symbolizes wisdom, confidence, creative and intellectual energy.
Enhances concentration, helps to memorize, recall, think clearly, make decisions and come up with new ideas.
Speeds metabolism!
Negative – people lose their temper more in in yellow rooms and babies tend to cry. Irrationality, fear, depression, anxiety.
GREEN – Natural
Color of Fertility, life, balance, self respect and well being. It helps to feel comfortable, relaxed and calm.
Symbolizes harmony, learning and growth.
Used often to calm people, in hospitals. green room before appearing on TV.
Dark green – Masculine, conservative, and implies wealth.
Negative – Boredom, Stagnation, Blandness, Enervation.
PURPLE – Deep effect psychologically.
Feminine and romantic
Associated with: Creativity, joy, fertility, sex, luxury, wealth and sophistication.
Also connected with magic, fantasy world, evil, death.
Associated with royalty and finest quality.
Light purple – Deep contemplation meditation, Connection to a higher consciousness, Transformation of the soul.
Harmony of the mind and emotions, Mental balance and stability.
Color of the humanitarian, unconditional and selfless love. Encourages creative pursuits and Seeks inspiration.
Negative – Introversion, decadence, suppression, inferiority.
