I feel that color is important to design because one of design's goals is to communicate, something that color can do inherently. Color is fascinating especially because we all see it differently, and sometimes very differently . Some of the things we learned about in lecture were the color wheel and what colors 'play nice' together, as well as what emotions/feelings the different colors invoke. The following articles cover topics in color including color matching/metamerism, synesthesia, the effect of color in our medications and locker rooms, the effect of using a red pen, and how men and women view colors differently. Color is everywhere and learning how what it can mean is one step forward in learning what is going on around us.
1. Metamerism: Matching in only certain lights?
Here is an interesting article about colors in a retail environment and how to ensure that the 'true' color is displayed with certain lighting. I know I have gone to a store and seen a shirt that I've really liked, just to bring it home and not like it as much anymore. The differences between the fluorescent lighting of stores and the incandescent lighting of homes can make a big difference in how we see the color of something. The variations are based on the dying processes (the colorants that have gone into the product) and the lighting in which they're displayed. Ian Barclay explains the issues with color matching including metamerism (when a color matches in one light, but not another). --- like how everything matches in no light ;)
2. Grapheme/sound color synesthesia:
http://www.bluecatsandchartreusekittens.com/Blue_Cats_and_Chartreuse_Kittens_Ex.html
http://otherthings.com/uw/syn/
Grapheme color synesthesia is when someone sees a word or an image as a specified color, like 'R' is orange and 'P' is yellow and '4' is green. Synesthesia is the mashup of multiple senses, where one sense can experience something, then sense it in one of their other senses as well.
These links attach to one synesthete's autobiography and has a passage from her book detailing the confusion when she realized that others didn't see her colors. It's a fascinating 'gift' as described by those who have it. There is a wealth of article links on this website for anyone interested in 'tasting' more about synesthesia.
The other link is more of a FAQ guide by one synesthete informing the world how she sees letters and words. A better view on the inside of what it could be like to have synesthesia.
3. Drunk Tank Pink
http://www.colormatters.com/body_pink.html
Apparently Pink can make guys weak. Used in jails to calm prisoners, having cells pink can have short term effects on behavior. There are some locker rooms that are painted pink in order to pacify the opposing team. This is a fun, short little article on how colors can effect our moods and motivations.
4.The color of medication can make a difference?! Valium is my favorite color (props for anyone who gets that reference)!
http://www.colormatters.com/body_pills.html
This article describes the background of design in the pharmaceutical field. It describes the many ways in which color makes a difference in the drug field (marketing and distinguishing between different types of medication). It even describes the sometimes synesthetic effects that the color of medications can have on the user.
5. Here are several articles that are discussing the negative effects of teachers using red pens in classes:
http://ase.tufts.edu/psychology/ambady/pubs/rutchick-slepian-ferris_ejsp[1].pdf ,
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20041004/news_1m4pens.html
Its no fun to have your paper that you worked so hard on handed back to you covered in the metaphorical blood of criticism made possible by a red pen. No matter what the red pen says, its depressing and makes you feel like a failure. That is why many teachers are deciding against the crimson implement. In the many interesting articles and research that I found, the story is much the same: people associate red with failure. According to one of the research papers, both the grader and the graded are negatively affected by the red pen. Some are moving towards other colors, but is that really the issue? Read on to find out!
6.) Gender differences in color?
http://www.colormatters.com/khouw.html
This article describes the differences between what color means for men and women. Does your girlfriend prefer red over blue? How does your boyfriend feel about these colors? This article describes some of the differences in how men and women perceive color and what they typically choose as favorites, among other differences in the ways the men and women perceive color. Are your opinions consistent with their findings?
No comments:
Post a Comment