INTD 53

what is color?

more than any other element of

design, color has the ability to make

us aware of what we see

nothing has meaning without color…descriptions

color defines our world and our emotions

participation activity: color inspiration

…consider what colors inspire you—do different colors inspire you to do different things? …collect a few examples of your most inspirational colors & bring them to class with you…be ready to discuss your “color inspiration”

color personality tests

INTD 53

what is color?

more than any other element of

design, color has the ability to make

us aware of what we see

color described by two very different methods:

•objectively—referring to the laws of chemistry, physics, and physiology

•subjectively—referring to the concepts found in psychology

our eyes are attracted to color—color perceived before details

physiologically

color is a sensation of light transmitted to brain through eye

distinguish color after light passes through cornea & pupil and strikes retina—retina passes messages to fovea which transmits to brain

physiologically

color is a sensation of light transmitted to brain through eye

physiologically

color is a sensation of light transmitted to brain through eye

physiologically

physiologically

physiologically

light—waves of energydifferent wavelengths

eye/brain reactions differ—no absolutes

http://www.ted.com/talks/neil_harbisson_i_listen_to_color.html

how light gives objects color

sunlight is composed of all the colors in the spectrum—when bent/refracted creates the

visible spectrum

how light gives objects color

when light strikes a surface, some wavelengths are absorbed while others are reflected—

surface color

factors in perception

our perception of objects depends upon:•physical factors•psychological factors•cultural factors

examples?

factors in perception

media & techniques

•oil, acrylics, water•canvas, board or paper•grounds or bases used•brands of paint•pencil line or sketch in watercolor•yarns and fibers; sheen and texture•ceramic glazes•printmaking

factors in perception

eye and brain

some colors are perceived more easily than others

factors in perception

psychology and culture •memory•experiences•intelligence•cultural background

vary from individual to individual

color not perceived differently…perception just means different things to different people

local, optical and arbitrary color

quality of light further determines quality of color that we see

local color—•most natural•reproduces effect of colors as seen in white daylight•exactly as we expect

blue sky, red barn, green grass

local, optical and arbitrary color

quality of light further determines quality of color that we see

optical color—•as seen in lighting conditions other than white daylight•rendered in a somewhat naturalistic way

in rain or thunder, at sunset, in indoor lighting

local, optical and arbitrary color

quality of light further determines quality of color that we see

arbitrary color—•allows artist to impose his/her feelings and interpretation of color onto images•natural color is abandoned for artist’s choice

participation activity:local, optical & arbitrary color

…using magazines, photographs or images from the internet, collect and label three examples of each of the different categories—local, optical, & arbitrary…present examples professionally (black ink, block lettering, use of borders, etc…)

*remember that this is the first of many activities that will need to be included in your portfolio—plan your layout accordingly*