Starter 1:
Write down colour wheel to understand primary, secondary and tertiary colours and how colours are made.
Starter 2:
Write down what you think colours communicate for each colour below:
COLOUR SYMBOLISM
BLACK this colour makes me think of……
It also makes me think of…….
WHITE this colour makes me think of……
It also makes me think of…….
YELLOW this colour makes me think of……
It also makes me think of…….
ORANGE this colour makes me think of……
It also makes me think of…….
BROWN this colour makes me think of……
It also makes me think of…….
RED this colour makes me think of……
It also makes me think of…….
PINK this colour makes me think of……
It also makes me think of…….
PURPLE this colour makes me think of……
It also makes me think of…….
BLUE this colour makes me think of……
It also makes me think of…….
GREEN this colour makes me think of……
It also makes me think of…….
COLOURS AND THEIR MEANING
BLACK -dark, mysterious, formal, eerie, professional, modern, emptiness
Black is authoritative and powerful; because black can evoke strong emotions, too much can be overwhelming. Black represents a lack of colour, the primordial void, emptiness. It is a classic colour for clothing, possibly because it makes the wearer appear thinner and more sophisticated.
WHITE -clinical, pure, can be cold, sterile, innocence
White projects purity, cleanliness, and neutrality. Doctors don white coats, brides traditionally wear white gowns, and a white picket fence surrounds a safe and happy home.
GRAY -intellect, wisdom, classic, sophisticated, authority, dullness, neutral
Gray is the color of intellect, knowledge, and wisdom. It is perceived as long-lasting, classic, and often as sleek or refined. It is a color that is dignified, conservative, and carries authority. Gray is controlled and inconspicuous and is considered a color of compromise, perhaps because it sits between the extremes of black and white. Gray is a perfect neutral, which is why designers often use it as a background color.
YELLOW -warm yellow: warming, calming, bright/cheery, happiness/optimism, energy cool yellow: hazardous, alarming
Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment, and happiness. Shades of golden yellow carry the promise of a positive future. Yellow will advance from surrounding colours and instil optimism and energy, as well as spark creative thoughts.
ORANGE -warm, cosy, energetic, sometimes hazard/caution, fun
Orange, a close relative of red, sparks more controversy than any other hue. There is usually strong positive or negative association to orange and true orange generally elicits a stronger "love it" or "hate it" response than other colours. Fun and flamboyant orange radiates warmth and energy.
BROWN -natural/earthy, richness/luxury, formal, reliability
Brown says stability, reliability, and approachability. It is the colour of our earth and is associated with all things natural or organic
RED -dangerous, passionate, anger, seductive
Red has more personal associations than any other colour. Recognized as a stimulant, red is inherently exciting and the amount of red is directly related to the level of energy perceived. Red draws attention and a keen use of red as an accent can immediately focus attention on a particular element.
PINK -feminine, playful, pastel/light pink = soft, lovely, romance, light-hearted dark pinks = luxury, or rebellion/energy
Brighter pinks are youthful, fun, and exciting, while vibrant pinks have the same high energy as red; they are sensual and passionate without being too aggressive. Toning down the passion of red with the purity of white results in the softer pinks that are associated with romance and the blush of a young woman's cheeks. It's not surprising that when giving or receiving flowers, pink blossoms are a favourite. Pink is the colour of happiness and is sometimes seen as light-hearted. For women who are often overworked and overburdened, an attraction to pink may speak of a desire for the more carefree days of childhood.
PURPLE -royalty/wealth, luxury, feminine, mysterious
Purple embodies the balance of red's stimulation and blue's calm. This dichotomy can cause unrest or uneasiness unless the undertone is clearly defined, at which point the purple takes on the characteristics of its undertone. With a sense of mystic and royal qualities, purple is a colour often well liked by very creative or eccentric types and is the favourite colour of adolescent girls.
BLUE -cold/cool, futuristic, sterile, fresh, clean, masculine, trustworthy
Blue is the overwhelming "favourite colour." Blue is seen as trustworthy, dependable, and committed. The colour of ocean and sky, blue is perceived as a constant in our lives. As the collective colour of the spirit, it invokes rest and can cause the body to produce chemicals that are calming. However, not all blues are serene and sedate. Electric or brilliant blues become dynamic and dramatic -- an engaging colour that expresses exhilaration. Some shades or the overuse of blue may come across as cold or uncaring. Indigo, a deeper blue, symbolizes a mystical borderland of wisdom, self-mastery, and spiritual realization. While blue is the colour of communication with others, indigo turns the blue inward to increase personal thought, profound insights, and instant understandings. Blue is the least "gender specific" colour, having equal appeal to both men and women.
GREEN -mysterious, wealthy, poisonous/revolting/hazardous, natural/ecological, calming, freshness, peace
Green occupies more space in the spectrum visible to the human eye than most colours, and is second only to blue as a favourite colour. Green is the pervasive colour in the natural world, making it an ideal backdrop in interior design because we are so used to seeing it everywhere. The natural greens, from forest to lime, are seen as tranquil and refreshing, with a natural balance of cool and warm (blue and yellow) undertones. Green is considered the colour of peace and ecology. However, there is an "institutional" side to green, associated with illness and government-issued green cards, that conjures up negative emotions, as do the "slimy" or "bilious" greens.
Green occupies more space in the spectrum visible to the human eye than most colours, and is second only to blue as a favourite colour. Green is the pervasive colour in the natural world, making it an ideal backdrop in interior design because we are so used to seeing it everywhere. The natural greens, from forest to lime, are seen as tranquil and refreshing, with a natural balance of cool and warm (blue and yellow) undertones. Green is considered the colour of peace and ecology. However, there is an "institutional" side to green, associated with illness and government-issued green cards, that conjures up negative emotions, as do the "slimy" or "bilious" greens.
COLOUR SYMBOLISM TASK
Set: Monday Oct 31
Due: Thur Nov 3
In your groups, you will each choose 2-3 colours to cover. You will each makes individual slides and then put it together to make one powerpoint presentation and put on your blog.
Everyone must have this:
Slide 1: The name of colour and different shades of the colour
Slide 2: Objects that are associated with the colour and how and why they use them. (Consider their function)
Slide 3: What it communicates/symbolises (you must consider different shades) with 2-3 examples to support. The examples should be from magazines: adverts or layouts. The examples should be annotated to explain how and why it communicates different meanings.
ONE
Black
White
TWO
Yellow
Orange
Brown
THREE
Red
Pink
FOUR
Purple
Gray
FIVE
Blue
Green
