Course Title: DES 287 Color and Textile Design
Term: Spring
Course Description
The nature, perception and interaction of color. A study of color’s effect on people and how it transforms interior spaces. Research, experimentation and problem solving are integrated into exercises and projects. Principles of design are used in creating interior color solutions and palettes for residential and commercial applications. Lab fee. Offered Spring Term.
Lab fee. Offered Spring Term.
OBJECTIVES
The successful completion of this course will result in students understanding and applying:
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The nature of color.
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How color is perceived and altered by the environment.
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How to combine color theory, design principles and functionalism.
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How to create color palettes that achieve desired objectives.
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How color affects people.
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Justify their design decisions through written and verbal statements.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Student project outcomes indicate understanding and application of color and textiles for interior design solutions.
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Selection of color is the result of research using of a range of sources with recognition and understanding of their impact within the environment, the interior, and the diverse variety of users.
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Color shapes an interior. It affects the human experience, behavior and performance, as well as health, safety and welfare.
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Throughout history, color has been used for comfort, to relate image, and provide beauty; and now, with this knowledge, the designer selects their wide range of finishes, furnishing and products using terminology and language, visual and verbal presentations and professional documentation.
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Understanding and applying color includes understanding a broad terminology including systems and names, it interacts with the principles and elements of design, color theories, and a keen ability to visually discern color and its components.
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Understanding the perception of color dependent on light, the spatial environment, and the person’s personal culture, health, and experience.
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TEXTBOOK:
Color + Design, Transforming Interior Space, Ron Reed, 2 nd Edition (Bloomsbury)
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COLOR STUDIES
Study 1. Chroma Chat - An informal three minute presentation from the book Secret Lives of Color
1. Each class meeting begins with a “Chroma Chat.” This will be a 2-3 minute presentation taken from the
book “The Secret Lives of Color.” Think of it as an informal “chat” with the class. Keep it simple,
informative and entertaining.
2. A different student will make the presentation each class period. Over the course of the semester you will
make a total of 2 presentations.
3. You will be assigned two colors from the book. Borrow the book and copy your two chapters. Use the
book as the basis for your presentation. Google for more information.
4. Using Powerpoint, create a 4 slide presentation.
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Slide 1 Show large swatch of color, piece of furniture, origin, use in fine art
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Slide 2 History, interesting facts, swatch of full chroma, tint, shade, tone and complement
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Slide 3 Photo of commercial application of the color
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Slide 4 Photo of Residential application of the color
5. Bring an example to the chat: Find an object to pass around to the class – a fabric sample, jewelry,
clothing, toy, etc that demonstrates this color.
Student Powerpoint Samples: Chrome Yellow Madder
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Study 2. The Color of Life – Studying the colors of personal everyday objects
In this project you will select a very specific topic or subject that lends itself to studying its colors. Examples:
“The Rocks in Our Garden” / “Red Cars Across the Campus” / “The Color of Citrus Fruit”
Your subject choice may yield similar colors. i.e., tints, tones, and shades of the same color. Or your
subject may produce a wide variety of colors from across the full spectrum. The key is to select a specific
subject…narrow it down to a very concise topic. Don’t choose something like Things in My Dorm Room…too
broad. You will need to take at least 16 distinct photos so select a topic that provides plenty of photo ops. Take
at least 16 photos…high quality, with consistent bright lighting and close enough to capture the color
accurately.
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1. Create a page in Word or Powerpoint, 11”w x 11.5”h. / .5” Margins
2. Place 1 st photo into document. Reduce if necessary to a convenient size.
3. Make a square 2.5” x 2.5”. Remove border.
4. Fill the square with RGB color that matches the photo. Adjust gray, black and/or white to achieve a
perfect match. (Do not use Photoshop in this project, I want you to learn how to use black, gray and
white to create colors and to train your eyes to perceive and match colors.)
5. Repeat for all 16 photos and colors. Delete the photos from page.
6. Assemble the color samples into a 4 x 4 grid. Photos should touch but not overlap. Arrange into a
composition that creates maximum CONTRAST of hue or value. .5” margins at top and sides.
7. Create a short title of 2-5 words. Place at bottom. Color a medium gray. Your name on same line.
8. Save then Save As a PDF. (First Name, Title)
9. Print to the Color copier and submit
Study 3. Color and Perception - Develop your ability to distinguish and differentiate subtle gradations.
Collect 15 color samples that show a uniform gradation of hues ranging between the two hues assigned to you.
You will create two gradations: 1. Paint and 2. Materials (such as tile, fabric, etc.)
1. Paint samples should be same size, materials approximately same size.
2. Create two rows of “color gradations” – material samples on top, paint samples at bottom
3. Samples must show a smooth, continuous gradation from first to last hue.
4. For the material samples use 5 plastic laminates, 3 wall coverings, 5 fabrics and 2 other materials of
your choice. Board size: 12” x 30.” For the paint color line select a representative paint color.
5. Write the names of each color under the sample. Name, course, semester on back.
6. Be very, very neat!
Study 4. The Color of Emotion - Interpret and communicate emotions using color
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Spend a few minutes thinking about the following emotions: Strong, Inspired, Joy, Comfortable and Lively.
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From the table spread with Color Aid color swatches select nine colors that communicate each emotion.
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Arrange and glue the swatches into a 3 x 3 grid on a individual sheets of 11”x15” mat board. Label each board with the emotion.
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Place the swatches to achieve maximum contrast.
Study 5. The Preferences of Color - People have personal likes and dislikes for color.
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Select a friend or family member.
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Ask the questions provided about their personal color preferences in different situations and environments. Show them colors from your color deck and note their preferences
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Cut out small swatches indicating their color preference and paste them next to the questions on the provided chart.
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Next, narrow their choices down to the three they prefer the most, ones that seem to repeat.
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This represents their preferred colors..
Project 1: Color + Contrast
In this project you will study color contrast by rendering the same interior with the six color contrasts.
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Print out the provided interior vignette.
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Trace the photograph freehand with a fine line black permanent marker. Minor details can be omitted.
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Scan your tracing and reduce to 4” in width. Print six or more copies of the line art.
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Render each in the following contrasts with Marker: Light/Dark, Warm/Cool, Complementary, Hue, Saturation, Extension.
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These should be quick marker / color pencil color studies that communicate each contrast.
Project 2: Color + Rhythm
Rhythm Studies, Tile Design in 2 and 3 colors. Imagine you are designing a tiled wall space. It could be the front of a counter in a Coffee Shop, a hallway in an Airport or the backsplash above kitchen cabinets. Your client wants to see a variety of ideas. In this project you will:
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Create a two color palette and a three color palette. Each palette will be from one of the six color contrasts. Three color palette must not contain any of the colors from the two color palette.
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Your color choices must demonstrate use of one of the six types of contrast (indicate at top of the page)
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Download the design template from Canvas. This is an Excel file. I will demo the use of color in the program. Color each “tile” as necessary. Leave no gray tiles. Every tile color must be from your palette.
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Leave the grout lines white.
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Design four rhythmic patterns for the two color palette. Page 1 Repetition, Alternation, Progression and Continuation.
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Design four rhythmic patterns for the three color palette. Page 2.
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Show the color palette at the top of the page. Include your name.
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Print out on 11x17 paper, landscape. Two copies of each page.
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We will do a short critique where you will explain your rationale for color choices and how you achieved each rhythm.
Project 3: Emphasis + Color – Making it Pop!
In this project you use color to emphasize an interior element.
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Design a palette of three colors that display balance and contrast
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Download the kitchen line art from Canvas and place into your PhotoShop page
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View my Photoshop video tutorial on Canvas; refer to my project demonstration from class
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No flat color; add shading and highlights where necessary. Rendering should clearly show what element(s) in the interior you are emphasizing.
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Select an element in the kitchen ( back splash, range hood or, cabinets, etc.) you will emphasize.
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Use value, intensity and chroma to establish emphasis.
Project 4: - Color + Harmony
In this project you will render the same interior perspective with two different Color Harmonies .
1. Select two color harmonies from the list below.
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Monochromatic
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Complementary,
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Split Complementary,
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Analogous
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Triadic
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Tetradic
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Achromatic
2. From your color deck create a color palette for each of the two color harmonies selected. Experiment with different combinations of tints, tones, shades and full chroma.
3. Re-create your two color palettes in PhotoShop.
6. Render each interior perspective in the two color palettes from the two color harmonies you selected.
7. You may use small amounts of white, gray and / or black.
Project 5. Color in History – Color tastes, fads and styles change
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Select a decade from the 1920s forward.
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Research that period of time in terms of consumer products, fashion, advertising, etc., noting the colors that were popular.
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Develop a palette of colors for that decade based on your research.
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Render the provided kitchen perspective in marker.
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Create a design board that captures the color flavor of that period.
Project 6. Copying a Photo / Matching Colors
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Select a simple interior photo from an Interior Design magazine
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Trace the photo to create a line drawing of your photo
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Insert into PhotoShop
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Render the interior , changing the color scheme
