Design Element: Color

Color definition

the visual response of the eye to reflected rays of light. an optical sensation, it has no physical qualities. pure white light is composed of the full spectrum of visible wavelengths of energy (colors of the rainbow). we see the color reflected, not absorbed by an object

how many colors can the hum an eye perceive?

over one million different colors

color key concept

color allows us to see the definition, depth and textures better

Achromatic

without chroma/color; black, white and gray

Chromatic

with chroma/color; all other colors

Black

absorbs all light, reflects nothing back. Its contrast sharpens other colors

White

absorbs no light, reflects back everything. Its contrast dilutes other colors

Gray

refracts (bends) none of the light. It softens and blends other colors

Emotion Key Concept

color creates emotion and is the first thing the viewer notices. Colors have a psychological effect on humans.

Warm/Cool colors

warm colors (red, orange, yellow) are advancing, exciting and alerting. Cool colors (blue, green, violet) are receding, relaxing and calming

What does color give a design?

energy, perception, and emotion

Morning colors

cool colors

Mid day colors

white

Evening colors

warm colors

Primary colors

1 degree. red, blue and yellow

Secondary colors

2 degrees. violet (red and blue combined), green (blue and yellow combined), orange (red and yellow combined)

Tertiary

combining a primary color with a secondary color. 3 degrees.

Achromatic

black, white, gray

Tint

color + white

Tone

color + gray

Shade

color + black

Hue

a particular color, another name for color

Chroma

pure hue, undiluted with white, black or gray

Value

lightness or darkness of a hue. the amount of black, white or gray mixed into a hue.

Color Harmony

7 we need to focus on. An arrangement or combination of colors.

Which colors can be included in any color harmony without disrupting it?

white, black and gray

Chihuly

uses color for warmth and or adds a coolness in the environments he designed for

Color harmony Defined

groupings of specific hues and/or different values of one hue

Color harmony Key Concept

a combination of colors

Achromatic

without hue. black, white and gray

Monochromatic

different values of a single hue (tints, tones, and shades)

Analogous

three adjacent hues on the color wheel. A primary hue with its neighboring hues (cannot contain more than one primary hue). Extended analogous

Complementary

two hues directly opposite on the color wheel (like yellow and violet)

Split-Complementary

a hue combined with both hues one either side of its direct compliment (like yellow with red-violet and blue-violet)

Triadic

three hues equidistant on the color wheel (like red, blue and yellow)

Polychromatic

a multicolored grouping of many hues that may otherwise be unrelated. Typically 5 or more colors

Color relationships Defined

interactions in which the presence of one color can affect the appearance of another

Value opposition

changing the value of the background changes the effect of the design

Chromatic opposition

complementary color contrast

Cool-warm contrast

sticking cool flowers with warm colors creates contrast creating visual interest

Simultaneous contrast

appearance of color is changed by the colors placed near it

Colors impact on design Key Concept

color has a strong impact on the application of design principles because it is the first thing the viewer notices

Proportion

one color to another

Balance

visual weight of a color

Rhythm

color used in a repeating pattern

Unity

repeated use of color bringing a cohesive spirit to a design

Contrast

differences between color that add interest

Surroundings

colors of a floral composition will interact with the colors of the surrounding environment

why are plants green?

they reflect the green wavelengths and absorb the others.