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Introduction
What is Color?
Design Goals
Vision + Light
Psychophysiological Effects
Neuropsychological Aspect
Environmental Influences
Emotional Reaction
Survey Results
Color Fundamentals
Color Systems
Color Vocabulary
Color Harmony
Influences
Josef Albers
Faber Birren
Karim Rashid
Case Studies
Concept + Programming
Sections + Elevations
Diagrams
Application
Exploration of Color
VT Chicago Arts Center
Introduction
What is Color?
Color is a visual experience that subconsciously affects
individuals functions and emotions. The human response
to color is based upon ones perception of behavioral
aspects that are controlled by the brain.
The study of color is a complex subject composed of
various theories. Many experiments have been
conducted to prove that color is indeed an influential
factor composed of both subjective and objective
aspects. Color affects individuals differently based upon
their gender, age, culture and other biological factors that
are explored throughout this exploration.
Throughout history, ancient scholars used color to solve
mysteries among their time. Sometimes portrayed as
symbolic or magical, color has been used in healing
practices dating as far back to the Egyptian period
(Mahnke, p.30). However, interest in color decreased
throughout the Middle Ages with the advancement of
scientific knowledge. It was not until the late 19th century
that color would begin to be practiced in healing again.
By considering color in design, it allows designers to
create a mood within a space that tells a story and leaves
an emotional impact on each individual.
Educational Centre by Alejandro Muoz Miranda
Design Goals
From this color study I hope to gain a better understanding of the
psychological effects of color in an interior space and incorporate
the findings into my designs by:
Vision + Light
(colorcodedarch)
(Mahnke, p.94-95)
Psychophysiological Effects
Psychological
Physiological
Neuropsychological Aspect
Each part of the brain creates a temporary
arousal reaction that effects the emotional state.
Cerebral Cortex
Cerebrum
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland
Cerebellum
Reticular Formation
(Mahnke, p. 20-22)
Chromotherapy
the healing of color
(threeheartscompany)
Environmental Influences
Numerous environmental factors influence
the perception of color that creates a
memorable experience.
1. Biological Reactions to a Color Stimulus:
Psychological component from the natural
effects of nature
2. Collective Unconscious:
Personal experience pertaining to color
3. Conscious Symbolism:
Learned responses that are symbolic to the
surrounding environment
4. Cultural Influences and Mannerism:
Particular colors are that are related to a
country or location
5. Influence of Trends, Fashion, Styles:
Temporary colors that reflect a time period
6. Personal Relationship:
Individual likes and dislikes
(Mahnke, p.11)
Red
The most physical color in the
spectrum. Associated with the
heart and blood, the color red has
been proven to raise the heart rate
and energy level.
In interiors, red is used to make a
bold statement. It is often used in
restaurants to increase appetite or
in logos associated with food. In
residential design, a red wall might
create a warm cozy feeling that
makes you want to sit around the
Survey Association
Orange
The color orange is known to encourage
activy and stimulate conversation.
Subjectively, the vibrant color is either
greatly liked or disliked.
Around 500 B.C., the fruit inspired the name
of the color and the Orange was known as
the fruit of the gods and kings. Often
associated with the term rebirth, it gained
popularity in Renaissance paintings and was
an iconic color in the 90s fashion trend.
Survey Association
Yellow
Besides being directly related to the
sun, the color yellow is the easiest
color for the human eye to see.
Different shades of yellow convey
different messages. A light yellow
might bring warmth and softness to
your home, where as a bright yellow
might raise the emotional temperature
and increase liveliness and encourage
innovation.
Survey Association
(Eiseman, p. 23)
Green
The color of nature, green is the most seen
color in the world. Therefore, green can
provoke a multitude of moods from
environmental awareness to fertility and
growth.
In interiors, green is often placed in
environments that are ment to soothe and
encourage mental relaxation.
Survey Association
Blue
The color of the water and sky, blue is the
color of serenity and calmness. It is the
top favorite color in the world. Blue is also
associated with many religious practices
meaning mercy and honor. Since blue is
a symbol of rest, it is often found in health
care design and in residential,
especially in bedrooms.
Survey Association
Violet
The color purple is a combination of blue in
red, and in effect its emotional impact is a
balance of the two. Certain shades uplift,
where others calm. It encourages
creativity and is symbolic to royality.
Survey Association
(Eiseman, p. 43)
A colourful life: 2014 Pantone colour of the year Radiant orchid
Neutrals
Survey Association
Survey Results
Color connotations and associations differ among
men to women, children to adults, as well as
professions and cultures.
32%
20%
11%
25%
11%
Favorite Color
Blue
Red
Pink
Yellow
Purple
Green
Pink
Yellow
Orange
Purple
Brown
Black
Green
13%
13%
20%
13%
22%
9%
9%
Considerations + Challenges
Art
Subjectivity
Anthropology
Objectivity
Design
Conventionally
Marketing
Materiality
Physics
Dimensionality
Psychology
(Portillo, p. 2-3)
Color Fundamentals
2. Color Harmony
3. Color Context
Color Systems
The scientific study of color is a system that is divided into additive and subtractive color. Each part of the
system is equally important, but the subtractive color system is the method used by artists that impacts the
senses in the brain (Color Matters).
Subtractive Color
Additive Color
Color Vocabulary
Hue
Value
lightness or darkness
Tint
hue + white
Shade
hue + black
Tone
hue + gray
Chroma
brilliance or dullness
Color Harmony
Monochromatic
Analogous
1 Hue
(icanbecreative)
Complementary
Triad
Polychromatic
3 Equidistant hues
Influences
Josef Albers
Color is understood through experience
Known for his color context studies that explores
the Interaction of color
Faber Birren
The study of color is essentially a mental and
psychological science, for the term color itself
refers to sentation.
Father of applied color psychology (devoted
his life to the study of color)
Originator of OSHA colors
Established the profession of color consultants
(1936)
Karim Rashid
I use extensive variations of colors to create
form, depth, mood, feeling, texture, and to touch
our everyday public memory. Color is not just
surface and is not intangible- it is very real, very
strong, a powerful tool and has a real physical
presence.
Rashid is an industrial designer and interior
architect known for his futuristic designs that
pushes the exploration of color.
3,000+ designs in over 35 countries including
fashion, furniture, lighting fixtures and product
goods
(karimrashid.com)
Case Studies
Fallingwater
Frank Lloyd Wright
Integrated over a waterfall, this residence is famous
for incorporating nature and architecture into a
manmade structure with horizontal lines and
cantilevers that create a sense of freedom through
balance
Fallingwater was meant to evolve and change over
time, reflecting those who occupied the retreat (p.12)
Planning + Programming
Designed around the fireplace - gathering place
Open living room that surrounds natural elements
Narrow hallways to create the sense of compression
Low ceilings to direct eye outside (archdaily)
Strategic Design
Local natural sandstone
2 paint colors with a neutral backdrop
Motifs
Horizonal line- earth line
Cantilevier- freedon and expansivess,
Cascade- waterfall
Semicircle- soft curve of transition and balance
(Portillo, p. 11-18)
functions
patient care units
lease space
public/ administrative
building services
outpatient clinics
diagnostic/ treatment
circulation
veritical circulation/ shafts
auxiliary color
(Aros)
Application
Exploration of Space
Defining space by the reversal of containment lead
to the exploration of color and light, which has
been a common interest expressed throughout my
designs.
arts center
Design Goals
3. Development
a movement
within the space
through the
progression of
color which
defines a
hierarchical
relationship
and allows for
wayfinding and
branding
4. Provoke
a surreal
experience that
contradicts the
dreams and reality,
which create an
element of
surprise and
juxtaposition
between mass
and volume of the
space
5. Promote
sustainability
that encourages
environmental
stewardship to
advance the
knowledge of
future
generations
that employ the
space
Within design, there are many disciplines that have the ability to
influence a culture. The progression of creativity has inspired a surreal
movement that has influenced spatial relationships, color, furniture and
fixtures.
The Virginia Tech Chicago Arts Center is a transitional multi-cultural
space that stages the movement of creativity. A collaboration of
architecture, interior design, studio art and music push the traditional
learning environment to create a program that inspires innovation.
Students are challenged throughout the program to leave an individual
legacy that encourages the advancement of knowledge to future
generations that inhabit the space.
Kimball Office offers a collection of traditional and modern pieces that
together create a movement within space. From experimenting with
concepts to the final stages of artwork or performances, students and
faculty are equipped with furniture and fixtures that are not only
functional, but also aesthetically pleasing.
Progression of Public to Private
Floor Plan
Floor Plan 1
Scale 1/32 = 10
1 Entrance
2 Info Area
3 Performance
4 Gallery
5 Cafe + Lounge
6 Round Table
7 Material Library
8 Womens Restroom
9 Mens Restroom
10 Classroom
11 Faculty Office
12 Practice Rooms
13 Dressing Rooms
14 Recording Studio
15 Conference Room
16 Storage
17 Print Lab
18 Studio
19 Presentation Room
Floor Plan 2
Scale 1/32 = 10
Circulation Diagram
Gallery Detail
LED lighting
system embedded
in transparent glass panels used for displaying art work.
Studio Perspective
Finish Plan
Finish Schedule
Symbol/ Texture Type
P1
Manufacturer
Product
Paint
Sherwin
Williams
Westhighland
White
Carpet
Bentley
IconicRio de Janeiro
Wood
Warm Colors
Aggregate
Concrete
Carpet
Flor
Like MindedBurgandy
Carpet
Flor
Carpet
Flor
Line, PleaseCayenne
Carpet
Flor
CambiumGeranium
Furniture Plan
C7
C7
T1
C8
T7
C9
C9
C9
T6
T6
T6
C10
C10
C10
C10
T5
T5
T5
T5
C7
C7
C5
T5
T3
T3
T3
C2
T5
T5
T5
C6
C7
C7
T5
C7
C9
T6
T5
C1
T5
C7
C2
T5
C2
C6
DN
C8
T3
C11
T4
T3 C5
C8
T3
T3
T8
T3
C11
T9
C4
T9
T9
T9
T9
C5
T9
C11
T2
C3
C11
T2
T2
T2
C5
T8
C3
T2
C1
T1
T8
C11
T8
T8
C11
Finish Schedule
Furniture Image
Symbol
Manufacturer
Description
Fabric/ Finish
Kim Salmela
Palette Rainbow
Grade K
Furniture Image
Symbol
C1
Kimball
Independence
Hillsborough
C2
Kimball
Adagiato
Maharam
Aria- Swerve
T2
Adagiato
Maharam
Skyline by Kvadrat- 656
T3
C3
C4
C5
C6
C7
C8
C9
C10
C11
Kimball
Kimball
White Finish
T1
T4
Kimball
Acapella armless
Maharam
Overlay- Cerise
T5
Kimball
Maharam
Air by Kvadrat
T6
Kimball
Kimball
Poly
Arpeggio
Tangerine
T7
T8
Maharam
Disperse- Carnelian
T9
Kimball
Axos
White Leather
Kimball
Bingo
White Finish
Kimball
Itsa
Maharam
Alias- Semolina
Manufacturer Description
Fabric/ Finish
Kimball
Occasional Table
Brighton Maple
Wood Finish
Kimball
Arpeggio
Cordoba Cherry
Wood Finish
Kimball
Arpeggio
Cordoba Cherry
Wood Finish
Kimball
Innsbruck
Coco Sapele
Wood Finish
Kimball
Scenario
White Finish,
Metal Frame
Kimball
Fluent
Brighton Maple
Wood Finish
Kimball
Conference
Solution
Kimball
Priority0002
Brighton Maple
Wood Finish,
White Frame
Kimball
Definition
Coco Sapele
Wood Finish
Brighton Maple
Wood Finish
Lighting Schedule
Fixture Image
Symbol
Manufacturer
Product
Description
Philips
Rotaris TBS741
6 Recessed
downlight
Philips
Philips
Arctone
Surface mounted
track light
Bocci
Bocci
Bocci
28.7 7 Pendant
Chandelier-Clear
Philips
Suspended linear
fixture
Conclusion
Color is the first thing you notice and the last thing you
leave with. (Portillo, p.1)
When I first began this study, I was having difficulty
understanding the difference between the subjective
and objective effects of color. From this study, I have
learned that the measurement of light is an objective
matter, but once it is perceived into the brain there is
a transformation to subjective qualities that provoke
numerous theories. Since every individuals brain is
different, each person is blessed with a unique
experiences.
I think and see in color; it represents a collection of my
artistic sense, interior and architectural environment,
scientific factors of the human response and the actual
colors themselves. As a designer, color has allowed
me to express myself through my concepts from the
strategic design all the way through the final
presentation stages. By considering color in design, I
can create a mood within a space and tell a story that
leaves an emotional impact on each individual.
Although the study of color is endless, I have gained a
better understand of how color effects the
psychological and physiological aspects within the
human response that will allow me to inhance my
designs.
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Brittani Anderson
brittani@vt.edu
Virginia Tech
School of Architecture + Urban Studies
Interior Design