Rivera Color Theory Final Book

steffania rivera latorre

FALL 2018

COLOR THEORY

CONTENTS YOU + COLOR CULTURE + COLOR THEORY + COLOR DESIGNERS + COLOR PERCEPTION + COLOR FILM + COLOR BALANCE + COLOR RETAIL + COLOR RENDERING + COLOR HOSPITALITY + COLOR WORKPLACE + COLOR

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YOU + COLOR

BACKGROUND

I am from Puerto Rico, and my family is from Bayamon, Mayaguez, Naguabo and San Sebastian.

I moved to Miami 2 years ago.

I speak Spanish and English fluently.

I’ve been wanting to travel the world for a while. I believe traveling has a way of giving you a new perspective, it changes your way of seeing people and even your life. There is a lot to learn from each country and culture. Hopefully, I’ll be able to start crossing places off my list soon.

I became focused on design since I was little, we moved a lot and I loved designing and decorating my room.

I found fascinating how each space was completely different from one another even though they contained the same essence.

COLOR Since little, I’ve loved every variation of pink. However, as I grew up, I added more colors to my list of favorites, such as aqua blue and chartreuse. Pink, specially rose pink, is always present in everything I use; in my screensavers, in my computer color, handbags, planner and notebooks. Is a color that always brings me happiness; I believe it is because it was present in my best memories.

Objectives: Learn about the use and meaning of color in each culture, and how to take in account cross-cultural differences in colors when developing a design

Conclusion: After analyzing my puertorrican culture with Spain, I found that even though Puerto Rico has a lot of Spanish influence in every aspect, colors did not meant the same for both cultures. However, both of them use vibrant colors in their traditions and activities, and primary colors are very prominent.

CULTURE + COLOR Appreciation and respect for cultural differences should be a crucial piece of the design process, there must be a thorough understanding of how color is interpreted in diverse cultures. Using the nation’s flag in a great way to explore regional differences in color meaning.

PUERTO RICO

SPAIN

Blue represents the sky, water and ocean. It also means loyalty and tranquility.

Red has a variety of meanings, it symbolizes love, blood and war, honor and patriotism

White symbolizes purity, peace and freedom. However, white flowers are mostly related to funerals and death.

Green is often associated with nature, vegetation, fruits.

In addition, it symbolizes independence and hope.

Yellow is very present at celebrations, handcrafts and traditional objects. It represents happiness, joy and is associated with the sun.

The use of these colors is very present in every activity, festival and any other object that is meant to represent the island of Puerto Rico. In addition, the colorful city of San Juan has a lot of influence from Spanish colonies and that design is still very dominant The colors of the flag are white, red and blue. In addition, the two main political parties in Puerto Rico are represented by red and the other by blue. The third party uses green, it seeks the independence of Puerto Rico, that is why besides this color being used to represent our forests and vegetation, it also represents independence.

In every festivity we see the colors red, white and blue, they are meant to represent patriotism, loyalty and freedom. Yellow is another predominant color in the festivals, seen in the crafts and the vejigantes (folkloric character), it is directly related to happiness and the sun.

White is traditionally used in funeral flowers, even though the dress code is black. Some people also believe that if you dream with a white wedding, it has to mean death or it has a relation to it.

Puerto Rico’s palette is based on primary and secondary colors, this is because these colors were originally used by their ancestors, the Taino Indian, Africans and Spaniards.

PUERTO RICO

This color symbolizes trust and authority. In addition, is usually considered calming and peaceful.

Red represents passion, excitement, danger, love and it is often related to power.

White symbolizes purity, peace and holiness. Often used in weddings.

SPAIN Spain’s flag is red and yellow, so those two colors are very popular among this culture. They originated from the colors of Spanish Kingdoms.

They are used in soccer jersey’s and other sport event, as wells as in objects meant to represent the country.

Red is also known to represent passion and love, it is commonly seen in the women’s dress for the Flamenco. In addition, it is related to danger and it is used in bull fights.

White and blue are related to tranquility and peace, they are seen a lot in buildings, in the facades as well as in the interiors. White is also used in wedding festivities.

Green usually means luck, progress or envy. However, it is known to symbolize the environment and nature.

Yellow is associated with warmth (the sun), summer and hospitality.

Anything painted green is directly related to nature, and this is seen very clearly in the interior of La Sagrada Familia and any other of Gaudi’s creating; he studied how could he mirror natures qualities in his designs.

Yellow is directly related to summer and to the warmth of the sun, this color is seen in building’s facades as well as in instruments.

REFERENCES https://www.empower-yourself-with-colorpsychology.com/cultural-color.html https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2012/06/ color-and-cultural-design-considerations/ http://welcome.topuertorico.org/reference/flag. shtml http://www.spain-flag.eu/colours.htm https://www.aroundtheworldl.com/2014/07/11/ old-san-juan-colors/

Objectives: This chapter was meant to provide a clear insight of terms used in the color field and how to apply them. It also explain the history of the color field and how it has become what we know today.

Conclusion: After reading this chapter I was able to have a clear understanding of all the terms that had been used in class and in previous readings. In addition, I was able to understand the variety of theories about colors used in design and start applying them to my projects.

THEORY + COLOR

Color has the ability to enhance our physical environment and influence our personal experiences of space. Color Theory is the study and practice of a set of principles used to understand the relationship among colors.

Objectives: Perform a case study and understand the influence of color in the design precedent and the impact color provides to the project.

DESIGNERS + COLOR

Conclusion: After analyzing the Schroder House I was able to understand how the colors derived from the De Stijl movement were used in the design and how they make this project a very distinctive one. The colored elements are used to emphasis the architecture and design of the house, on the exterior and the interior design.

THE SCHRODER HOUSE

BACKGROUND Gerrit Thomas Rietveld was born in Utrecht in 1888, he was a designer, architect and painter. In 1919, Rietveld joined Piet Mondrian, Theo Van Doesburg and other artists to create De Stijl. Rietveld became one of the most important and influential artists from that group.

Their purpose was to establish a language of forms that had the intention to reach objectivity and autonomy in a work of art. The artwork is nonrepresentational, it is reduced to geometric arrangements of horizontals and verticals, with a palette only consisting of yellow, red and blue, primary colors, additionally to white and black. This ideal is applied to two dimensional and three-dimensional work.

COLOR The color palette used is very minimal and it used in a variety of surfaces throughout the house. Color is mainly used to reinforce movement and the elements of the structure, in addition, the application provides a sense of bold modernism.

The use of color in a mix of planes and linear elements, keeps the eyes of the viewer moving throughout the whole building. Also, color is used to distinguished functions and spaces. Everything about this design makes the house a radical movement in the architecture field.

The use of linear and planes highlighted with saturations of black and primary colors makes the Schroder House a threedimensional representation of a Piet Mondrian canvas and the only building to be constructed completely in sync with the De Stijl movement.

EXTERIOR The use of color in the outside reinforces horizontal and vertical structures. The floating elements such as planes, balconies and tectonics appeared to be floating, which gives the sense of movement to the facade. This is done using the primary colors, black, white and different hues of gray.

The major structural elements are in different shades of gray, white and black. Primary colors are mainly used in the details, to blur the line where the inside and outside become one, to highlight elevation and separate the variety of components in the house.

It is also key to understand that given the characteristics of the colors used, some of them are seen to be advancing or re-ceding to the other colors, which highlights movement.

INTERIOR The interior of the house was designed in direct collaboration with Schroder. There is a sense of flexibility due to the use of sliding planes and the application of color reinforces the planar quality, vertically and horizontally.

Major structural elements remain in different hues of grey and white, even though white is mostly used in the ceilings. The use of black is mainly in the linear elements. However, the application of primary colors is used for walls, floors, details and in furniture as well. The movement of the viewer eyes is also highlighted through color in the inside.

Even the furniture contains colored planes, to be in sync with both the De Stijl goal and the design of the house.

CONCLUSION The use of colors creates the dynamic qualities of the Schroder House, as well as reinforcing linear and planar elements. Primary colors provoke a sense of movement through the facade and the interior of the building.

The selection of colors, primary, black, hues of gray and white comes from the De Stijl Movement. Gerrit Rietveld, the designer, was one of the founders of this movement in addition to Piet Mondrian, Theo Van Doesburg and other artists. The Schroder House is a three-dimensional representation of Piet Mondrian’s art-work and De Stijl.

http://www.gerrit-thomas-rietveld.com/ https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gerrit-ThomasRietveld http://www.sobatchelor.com/schroder-house-color-andarchitecture/ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/interiors/7036984/ Interior-design-The-Schroder-House-in-Utrecht.html https://www.archdaily.com/99698/ad-classics-rietveldschroder-house-gerrit-rietveld https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/965 http://rietveldschroderhouse.blogspot.com/2012/12/ diagrams-in-depth-analysis-of-design-of.html\

REFERENCES

PERCEPTION + COLOR Color is emotionally subjective. Interior designers are driven by trends, styles, and aesthetics; behavior and emotions; symbolic meaning based on age, gender, and cultural differences; what the space needs to work well and personal preference.

Objectives: Learn about how people perceive color and how the application of it can improve the experience, make every design tailor made for each client.

Understand the types of color contrast and the perceptual properties of colors.

Conclusion: After the chapter reading I was able to have a better idea in how color can affect people mentally and emotionally. Each color would make each person have a different perception or reaction to the space. One of the most interesting sections was the color contrast, how arranging colors has a great impact on the perception of space.

her

by spike jonze

Objectives: Select a film to watch from a given list, analyze how color is used and how does it impact the viewer.

Conclusion: Being the first time watching this film, it was very interesting to see how color was affecting my understanding of the movie, Color is a big part of this movie and each set of color palette relates to a specific type of emotion.

In addition, color is used to let the viewer define the character and his traits based on the meaning of the specific color.

FILM + COLOR

SYNOPSIS

color palette red

brown

beige

Theodor Twombly is a writer of computer-generated handwritten letters for clients, in the last stages of his divorce but he is having a hard time letting go that part of his life. Throughout the movie he starts having romantic feelings for his artificial intelligence operating system, who’s name is Samantha. She becomes his friend, and he confides everything in her as well as her and at one point they have both fallen in love with each other. There are some challenges to their relationship, since she does not have a body and they have to find ways to make their relationship a functional one without having any physical contact. However, Samantha evolves quicker than a human which meant that at some point she was going to evolve beyond than him.

In Theodore’s house we get to see earthy tones mixed with red as well. This is the space where he shares all of his thoughts with Samantha and falls in love with her. We also get to understand his feelings in this space which makes it appropriate to have red color, seeing how passionate he is about love and falling in love.

Theodore’s office revolves around the color red, this is his space where we get to see his passion, compassion and his romantic side the most. The color red is strongly associated with these emotions.

This is one of the memories Theodore shares in the movie with his ex-wife, telling how happy they were at the beginning. We get to see this passion and love with the use of reds and browns.

In this scene cool colors mixed with the browns are used to express a conflict and emphasize sadness. Throughout the movie earthy tones are consistent but when mixed with cool colors evoke a different emotion.

COLOR ANALYSIS The colors in the movie are meant to represent a state of mind and emotions, and highlight Theodore’s feelings and thoughts. Since the beginning we see him wearing red tones and browns, his office and his house also revolve around these colors. However, we know that at this point in the movie he had just gone through the separation from his ex-wife, he was feeling lost, stuck in past. This is the state of mind in which he is before meeting Samantha, his OS. Once he meets her, these red tones are seen even more, and wherever he is comfortable being himself, feeling alive and happy, red tones are present.

Based on the characteristic that set Theodore apart, red is very suitable for him. We see him as a romantic, hopeful, passionate, caring, loving men who wants to be in love, be loved and share his life with someone. It is very interesting to see how even though he is in love with Samantha, they both know their physical intimacy is non-existent and he is missing the warmth of being with someone, the colors that are always present are warm colors. In those scenes in which Theodore shares memories from the relationship with his ex-wife, we get to see cool colors in those memories filled with conflict, sadness and uncertainty. However, the memories that are filled with joy and happiness have red and browns as dominant colors.

Objectives: Understand how color is used to create the three types of balance, learn about the balance provided through value contrast, balance between hues, intensity contrast, and size of the color area; and how to apply all of this into the design of interior spaces to impact the perception of space.

Conclusion: After reading this chapter, my perception of space changed drastically. I was able to understand better how color can change how we perceive the size of a space and how it can make a space interesting enough to want to explore it. Each type of balance provides a complete different experience.

Color balance is the relationship of different hues to one another when each is perceived to be equal in visual weight. Balance is where harmony, peace, and connection can be made between the observer and what is being observed. Using a maximum of three-value scheme will allow the space to keep depth and visual interest. The use of color within a space will determine the success of the design.

BALANCE + COLOR

RETAIL + COLOR Objectives: Select a retail store, analyze the use of color and how the brand is represented through the design.

Conclusion: After visiting the a retail store for the first time, I was able to understand the use of color in a different way. Following the brand research, and understanding their iconic use of lines in their design, I found very interesting how the product design was applied into the store design and how it creates a hierarchy in the product display.

TABLE OF CONTENTS brand focal point contrast of hue contrast of value contrast of texture

Brand Henri Bendel was established in 1895, Bendel was the first retailer to brand himself. Their trademark is the brown and white striped bag and hat-box. This linear pattern is seen in products and it is a crucial element in the interior design of their stores.

Focal Point

As soon as you walk in the store, the front table gets your attention instantly. It is the only table with a variety of color and the only table with glass, brown and gold features.

In addition, the register is another focal point. It is the only squared wall with a dark background and with frames, which also contain the iconic patterns of the brand. This space is also where all of the elements of the design come together, linear patterns, gold accents, variation in square sizes, including the frame of the space.

The design of the store is very linear, verticality is reinforced by the linear patterns in the walls and in the tables with gold elements.

Contrast of Hue Henri Bendel’s palette is based on brown hues, this is very prominent in the store design as well. The strong contrast of these hues attracts the attention of the viewer. In addition, gold accents are used throughout the whole store, they reinforce the linear elements of each area or furniture.

The wall space for the display is determined by a squared frame with a white background, which helps contrast the color of the bags. This is the area where the lightest hue is used. It creates great contrast between the dark hues used in the walls and ceiling, highlighting the product inside the squared frame.

Contrast of Value

The strongest contrast of value is seen between the ceiling and the floor. The lightest value is seen in the floor, on the contrary, the darkest value is seen in wooden furniture, walls and ceiling.

Lightest value is used in areas where a product is needed to stand out. In addition, the light value in the floor makes the furniture and walls stand out.

Contrast of Texture Texture is a prominent feature of the store design. Is used in the walls to highlight a different product, the accessories are placed in this patterned vertical feature. They also divide the wall, creating squared spaces within them where the bags are placed.

The dotted and linear patterns are composed by the contrast of white and dark brown.

Objectives: Take pictures from nature and develop a color palette based on one of the pictures. Use this color palette to render a space.

Conclusion: Using Photoshop to perform the render, I was able to understand better how to apply color in a space and how to use color proportion to create a more successful design.

RENDERING + COLOR

COLOR IN NATURE These 6 images contain a very evocative use of color. The prominant color in each one is very vibrant, which serves as a great acccent color in a design.

Each one of them has a mixed use of colors, they contain dominant colors, secondary colors, as well as accent ones.

To choose one of them, there was a analysis on how color would be applied to the space, the different palettes derived from them and how colors impact the experience and perception of space.

RENDER This picture provides a serene and calm sensation, therefore, I decided to implement this idea to the rendered space. Each palette contains similar colors but each one in a different proportion. It was crucial to think of the experience and how color would guide the viewer through the space.

The final palette contained natural colors but also red, which is a prominent color in the picture.

In the space, red is also used as a focal point and to reinforce the vertical and horizontal architecture element in the middle of the space. This red element provides continuity and it guides the viewer through the space.

Grey is a dominant color, used in different hues to provide depth to the space. However, blue is used as a secondary color, giving the space the serene sensation that it also evokes in the picture.

Taking in account the meaning of color was an important piece of the design.

Research stated that blue is often associated with stability and wisdom, and that is beneficial for the mind and body. Red, on the other hand, is associated with energy.

Based on the Feng Shui theory, this color is used to redirect the energy throughout the space. Grey, is often a calm and sophisticated color; associated with clarity and reflection.

HOSPITALITY + VARIETY

Objectives: Choose a hotel located in Miami and analyze the use of color throughout the design and how it impacts how the space is seen or perceived.

Conclusion: After visiting the W hotel at Brickell and performing research on their brand, I was able to understand how color, textures and the materials used create an impact on the viewer with. In addition, it was interesting to learn how color can be used as a key factor in every space of the design and enhance the experience through the property.

DESIGN W Hotels focus on creating innovative and vibrant nightlife concept at each hotel. This is not the exception at the W Hotel at Brickell, where red is seen as a focal point on every part of the design. Red is often associated with contemporary lifestyles. In color meaning, red is often known for its relationship to excitement and energy, besides passion and danger.

The reception area uses red as well. When coming in from the side entrance the red furniture becomes the focal point. In addition, there is also the inclusion of gold and brown hues throughout the design.

LOBBY

As the visitor moves through the reception towards the elevator area, is easy to know the way because the red is used as an element of wayfinding. The elevator space has red furniture as well, and a bold red line surrounding the elevator. The most interesting element of this area is the face figure coming out of the wall with red lips.

15

TH

FLOOR

The 15th floor is where the main restaurants are, it also contains the meeting rooms. Is a very light space. but it still posses red furniture and hues of brown in the tables and the walls.

The idea of placing the red furniture right at a visual terminus is also a way to guide people through the space using color. However, as the visitor moves towards the restaurant area the design turns very dark, with mainly the use of black and white.

CRITIQUE

The area in the 15th floor that mainly uses dark colors, feels overwhelming and it is a very drastic change from the light hues used in the are of the salons. This feeling is heightened by the fact that these dark colors are introduced in a hallway between two spaces with a lot of windows.

It might seem like they do it on purpose to make the visitor focus on the light and guide them towards the restaurants or the salons. Nonetheless, it is still very sudden and even the elevators of that are are very dark inside.

REFERENCES https://www.canva.com/learn/colormeanings-symbolism/ https://www.starwoodhotels.com/ Media/PDF/W/WH_FactSheet.pdf https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ miawm-w-miami/

Project: Pandora Media Inc. Location: New York, NY Architect: ABA Studio

Objectives: Analyze and study the use of color, texture and shape in a workplace design.

Conclusion: After a thorough analysis of the Pandora offices, I was able to see how their brand is shown in every space, how color can be used to define spaces without being overwhelming to the visitor and how patterns can provide visual interest.

WORKPLACE + COLOR

Linear elements are key to the design, they have the intent to make the spaces more continuous, reinforce height and depth. The columns and beams provide a connection between each floor, directs the viewer to the ceiling and make the space look larger.

The textured wall is composed by vertical lines, which make the space look higher than it is.

In addition, this wall is visible from a lot of points in the space, making it a wayfinding element for users.

Line

Shape Throughout the design is possible to see circles and linear elements come together in every space. Due to the variety of shapes and colors the space becomes interesting and stimulate the viewer to walk around.

In addition the use of circles makes the space have a fluid movement and it adds rhythm to the design. In a way, the inclusion of circles in every space offers a calming sensation to the viewer and it lets the eye travel around freely.

Texture Texture is the characteristic visual of the surface of a material that results from the way components are combined. In Pandora, the textured wall composed by vertical lines is a major textured element throughout the design. The variety of stroke of each line creates the image of an important singer. Also, circles and smooth surfaces are often combined in each space.

The use of materials adds variety to the design, and provides visual contrast, creating a more interesting space.

Pattern Circular and linear patterns are present throughout the entire design. Even though the circular patterns are present in every space, there is a variety in form and color, which create a diverse design.

Experience The overall design is based on patterns and textures, therefore, the smooth textures in furniture and other elements, make the design stand out.

Patterns are very present in every space, as well as linear elements.

They reinforce depth, height, create a fluid movements through the space and add variety to the design.

The use of a monochromatic palette is very consistent in the design, the ceiling and floor are composed by neutral colors.

However, each area of the design is highlighted by a vibrant colored wall, green, blue, red or yellow.