Color in Design

Color is one of the fastest, easiest and most effective ways to truly enchant your personal headquarters. Color is the known psychological mood-setter and showcases your individuality by the sheer power of choosing color and color combinations that reflect you and instantly reveal and reflect your personality. 
Color also expresses emotion and the beautiful thing is that there are no rights or wrongs with color. It all goes well according to your color preference and personal taste. Many people are gaining a lot of confidence expressing themselves using color. Bold, soft, feminine, masculine, impacting, dramatic, cheerful, formal, elegant, dignified, peaceful, all is well with color. Colors are almost invariably associated with elements in nature, and it is only natural since our entire external world is displayed with vibrant shapes and colors. 



Why color matters?
Color plays a significant role in our visual experiences of a space. It is a subliminally persuasive force, it captures attention, relaxes, stimulates or irritates, and send powerful messages to our brain. 
There are many aspects of color: human associations to color, ranging from each individual color and their particular or general qualities and attributes; cultural interpretations and use of color. Designers, professional's and amateurs recognize the importance of right use of color. 
Color's first association is to nature. Sea and skies are associated to blue, Green to foliage and trees, Snow invariably linked to white and grey. We draw from nature as first inspiration and draw its pigmentation for the myriad of objects and artifacts that are trying to mimic from it for use in our lives. 
Colors are drawn from nature to dye textiles. looms and paint to give live to our interiors by the sheer power of color. 

Color as a design element is one of the most impacting elements that influence decor.


Color Theories
Color theory encompasses a multitude of definitions, concepts and design applications, enough to fill several encyclopedias. However, there are three basic categories of color theory that are logical and useful: The Color Wheel; Color Harmony, the context of how colors are used.
This blogger only includes colors as used for Design purposes, it excluded graphic or web designs, computer imaging, photography, theatrical use or cinematography or any of the other disciplines that use color and light. 

The Color Wheel

The most used and most useful tool for showing the full color spectrum. It is a color circle, based on red, yellow and blue, developed over time in the traditional field of art.This torus presents a logically arranged sequence of pure chromas, with variations in hues and tones.

First developed by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666, this circular diagram of colors has since then been studied by scientists and artists who have since developed numerous variations of this concept.

Color Harmony

The basic color theory for color combinations are: Achromatic, Monochromatic, Direct Complimentary, Split complimentary, Triadic, Tetradic and Analogous. 
Although these terms may not mean so much to occupants, every competent Interior Designer must be acquainted with them and be able to show their clients examples of these schemes and their client's inclinations when doing a client personality profiling. 

Achromatic, means sans-couleur, thus only black and white, and perhaps shades in between, very effective, contrasting and many times modern and often using lots of patterns. 
Monochromatic, or monotone, means uni-color, thus using many shades of the same basic color, like the popular beiges this scheme is very soothing and can never go wrong. 
Direct Complementary: Here two basic opposing hues are used and harmony is not necessarily the goal. Splits are used to achieve stimulating and exciting effects. 
Split complimentary:  the objective is to create a very colorful and lively space. The dominant color is complemented by two opposite colors from the wheel, for example yellow with dark purple and blue. 
Triadic: By using an equilateral triangle to select 3 directly opposing colors from the color wheel, for instance, red, yellow and blue, or green, purple and orange or any variation of this method. The goal here is to create a lively space using strong and contrasting hues.
Tetradic or double complimentary scheme is the richest of all the schemes because it uses four color arranged into two complementary color pairs. Most effective when using one dominant color and subduing the other three. 
Analogous colors: Are those adjacent to each other on the color wheel, for instance: green, yellow-green, and yellow. Or red, fuchsia and violet. Analogous color schemes are often found in nature and are pleasing to the eye. The combination of these colors give a bright effect on the area and are able to accommodate many changing moods. When using the analogous color scheme,one should make sure there is one dominant hue as a main color. 

In addition to these color combinations it is noteworthy to explain the neutrals and accented neutrals. Neutrals are the beige, browns, grays and blacks or somewhat variations from other colors with strong neutral tones. Accented Neutrals are using the above colors adding one strong additional color to set the tone for the space. 

It is valuable to add a note on warm and cool colors, since all these have a definite effect on the human psyche. Warm colors or receding colors, include reds, brown, yellows and oranges, these set very inviting and cozy atmospheres. 
Cool colors, or advancing colors, are very calming and soothing, these include blue, green, and purples, and have been known to slow breathing rate, relax muscles, lover blood pressure and body temperature.
The stronger the color, the more intense this 'cooling' effect tends to be. 

Color attitudes
Could you imagine our world if it was created colorless or achromatic, meaning only in black, grey and white?
Color is the impulse for visual experience and interpretation and is not the same for everyone. Color can also be very subjective, it does not have the same meaning for all individuals. It may evoke one reaction to one person and an entirely different reaction from another due to individual experience, cultural background and personal preferences. In addition there may be a positive or negative associations with color, and as outlet for emotions. 
For example; White in the Western world for instance is associated with innocence, weddings, snow, in some other cultures it is associated with mourning. 


Colors and shapes.
And one more factor added to color: If colors added interest to your space, try some patterns and shapes!  
Shapes have to do with overall items in the space, while patterns are specific lines or curves in one item, like textiles. 
Shapes and patterns, natural, geometric, paisley, or sternly abstract like stripes, zig-zag or solids. All can benefit and add personality to your space and make it uniquely yours. Accessories, walls, window treatments, panels, doors and door-frames, textile, upholstery, window-coverings or any other surface, form of ornamentation can dazzle with a little bit of texture and patterns. There are techniques to effectively create harmony with different colors and shapes. And these are the 3 main rules of thumb: Scale, Shape and Color. 

Color Uniformity: One can mix scales and shapes as long as the colors are uniform and harmonizing. 
Mix Scale: use one large scale, like an oversized print, one medium and one small to balance the patterns. Three different patterns usually work well, I would advice caution using more. 
Mix Shape: Shapes can be geometrics: squares, stripes, circles, plaid, diagonal, zig-zag or they can be organic: florals, paisleys, jaquards, vernacular and of course we all know solid colors with perhaps visible texture, you may think of a plush, tube, ribbed.
The most pleasing mixes will include a linear pattern like striped or plaids, perhaps both but in different scales. Florals are very popular for country and feminine rooms. 


Gender differences in color.
Oh yes, genders make a good example of very different attitudes when it comes to color. Males tend to select dark and deep colors, and the well known tendency towards blue is now expanded with dark browns, greys, blacks, hunter greens, mauve and the so called 'masculine' colors. Again there are exception rules in personality and color choices. I'm sure you have noted the highly energetic neon green that creative, young and vibrant computer analysts or advertising designers love. 

Females lean toward a lot more open choices and wider selections in color. Again note personalities have a grave weight in client's preferences. 
As singles these preferences should not cause too much strain, but when discussing choices for couples it is important to note their different chroma-choices. As these will be primary considerations in making designs work for couples. Discover the color likes and dislikes for both, and exclude any dislikes in designs that are meant for their use. Sometimes it works to combine the two or several favorite colors and work them into the color technique. 



Age differences in color preference.
Oh yes, age matters in color choice. We all remember the pink fascination of young girls. For younger children their natural vibrancy and high energy call for bright colors, but especially through the ages of 6 to 9 there is an euphoric draw towards pinks and purples, also lots of sparkle and glitter. The fascination is explained by scientists and color experts as coming from being a new, novel and a "created" color and a desire to be 'different' and to 'stand out' in the youngsters view. 

In young boys there is no strong inclination towards any color choice, the cultural associations with blue are more given to them, then self chosen. Young boys seem to like a greater variety of colors that include the warmer colors, including pinks and reds, but some parents make the selection of blue for them.

In the older generation there seems to be inclination towards softer colors like pastels, especially if very advanced in age. Brain stimulus using bright colors tend to irritate the elderly.
The other choices are with earthy tones and darker tones.  

With adults, we know that the tendencies are purely by personality and cultural attitudes and these are as wide as the color spectrum itself. It is easier to note those choices of color that are disliked and work with a color palette that excludes them. Simply ask yourself how a certain color makes you feel or what you think of  any particular color.  
Some colors become 'trendy' and fashionable for a certain period of time, others are classic and timeless like the achromatics: black & white. Those regions that enjoy 4 seasons we note changes in colors choices as nature and weather change.   

The spectacular news is that there is no right or wrong with color. As long as you like it, it is ok to use any color or color combination. 


Traditional and Spiritual beliefs.
Many cultures have assigned colors to major events in life or to theosophical rituals.
Wedding known for white gowns in the western culture, in the Indian is a color for mourning.
For weddings the Hindi and Japanese use bright and shiny colors. 
The norm for funerals in the western world tie to the dark tones, black, dark grey, navy blue; browns may not be so common but be warned that red would be considered an offense in some regions as it signifies energy and blood. 

Purple in the western world is a spiritual color and in medieval Europe was very expensive to create the die, so was also accessible to the rich.



Metamerism, a phenomenon of color and light. 
Metamerism occurs when colors change when viewed in different light sources. When a particular color in a material, for instance, carpet flooring or walls, if displayed in a showroom lit by warm incandescent lighting would reflect a very different color then if it was installed in an office with cool fluorescent lighting. The type and quality of light, natural or artificial shall be very different depending on the source of light. it is said that it is distorted, I would say that it is changing. But if it has any effect on your desired results in exact hues, thus saying you like it or hate it, then definitely take metamerism into account. This will have a change in color especially with beige where cooler lighting is famous for sucking the life out of beige. 

A final word on color.
There is no right or wrong with color, but the caution here is that once the color is up and you are dissatisfied with it, it has to be done all over again. If you have doubts, ask for small samples and paint a small section of the walls with the several color choices. Wait a full day so that you can see the color during day with natural light and at night with artificial light.
Discuss color dislikes with the significant people who will share the space, and exclude any dislikes. 

And finally, ...
Harmony can be defined as a pleasing arrangement of parts, whether it be music, poetry, color, fashion, art or even cakes and all food presentations. 

In visual experiences, harmony is something that is pleasing to the eye. It engages the viewer and it creates an inner sense of order, a balance in the visual experience. When something is not harmonious, it's either boring or chaotic. At one extreme is a visual experience that is so bland that the viewer is not engaged. The human brain will reject under-stimulating information.
At the other extreme is a visual experience that is so overdone, so chaotic that the viewer can't enjoy it find it irritating and can't stand viewing for too long. The human brain rejects what it cannot organize, what it cannot understand. The visual task requires that we present a logical structure. Color harmony delivers visual interest and a sense of order. 

In summary, extreme unity leads to under-stimulation, extreme complexity leads to over-stimulation. Harmony with color is a dynamic equilibrium and a very important aspect of successful designs.

I would love to invite you to read my next blogger which will come out mid-January.
Thank you very much for reading