When choosing color for a product, designers select based on many conditions. Some choices are based on natural elements while others are chosen based on a specific meaning that adds to the product.
While it is possible to shape the way a design is perceived based on the various color hues that are combined, many designers rely on intuition and popular palettes. In Albers’ “Interaction of Color”, the methodology behind color theory is examined in a science based way. Albers argues that past color theorists suggested meanings for colors, and well, I agree, theorists can sometimes be partisan. He goes on to explain that perception of color doesn't deal with emotion or mood, rather with light and the way individuals' eyes' react to it.
My favorite scarf comes from the GAP clothes design company—it’s 84% acrylic and 16% wool. It sits on my neck and keeps me warm behind it’s cream, light gray, dark gray, and accent yellow knit self. Since the designers at GAP design with popular fashion in mind, they choose colors which reflect what people are wearing in the world and are not necessarily concerned, with scientific reasoning behind their choices. I personally love the combination of yellow and gray which makes up my favorite scarf. No two people see color in the same way, so when others look at my scarf they may see shades of yellow and gray which are displeasing to them; in fact, some people may even see lime green and black, depending on how the light receptors in their eyes are shaped.
All in all, color theory has shifted from the first accounts explaining color in terms of feeling and mood to a scientific based logic which goes into depth about eye structure and effect of light.
No comments:
Post a Comment