Final Book

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Final Blog Entry

I have realized, even more, how important color decision are when designing. Before I began the semester, I felt I would gravitate towards the same colors and palettes. I also tended to use pure hues. I am now more attune to the range of tints, shades and tones that each color can create. I am also more aware of how color palettes should incorporate a variety of tints, shades and tones to create dimension and depth. I tend to use many different colors in my designs, but this course reminded me of the potential of analogous, complementary and split-complementary combinations. My “aha” moment came from the exercise where we creating a range of neutral colors. I never really considered how beautiful neutrals can be and have never thought to use them in my designs. The urban environment is filled with neutral colors and, as a result, I ended up using them a lot in my final book and pattern designs. I will definitely continue to do this in the future. Color will continue to be an important component of my creative process.

This course had a very important hands-on component. I love to paint, so I enjoyed the opportunity to do that. I also feel that it is important to consider color outside of the digital realm. At first, using Color-aid seemed impractical. But in the end, I felt it was necessary to create visual color combinations in my work space before going to the computer. Even though I used inspiration from photographs, I could translate those combinations to Color-aid to ensure that they worked successfully and move colors around as needed. The tactile experience was helpful.

Over the semester, I have found a new curiosity about color. I have been paying more attention to the components of beautiful color combinations and how color lives in my surroundings. Based on the theme of my book, I am also more aware of rhythms and patterns in my environment. This class has reinforced the notion of getting inspired by what’s around you and paying attention to attractive colors and pleasing palettes. For example, now instead of simply passing by a building, I’m more likely to consider its color, decorative details and structural elements. When I look at a poster design while waiting for the subway, I think about the color palette that is being used and the message it conveys. I am also more aware of the color of the sky and how the sky changes throughout the day. This class, overall, has made me more perceptive in general and I am specifically noticing color more than ever.

Week 13: Objects

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I used my patterns to create designs for 2 objects that would be found in an office environment. I like the idea of using inspiration, designs and colors from the outdoors to liven up an interior environment.

Quotes

We all live under the same sky, but we don’t all have the same horizon.  ~Konrad Adenauer

When we look up, it widens our horizons.  We see what a little speck we are in the universe, so insignificant, and we all take ourselves so seriously, but in the sky, there are no boundaries.  ~Julia Gregson

I never get tired of the blue sky.  ~Vincent van Gogh

Artists can color the sky red because they know it’s blue.  Those of us who aren’t artists must color things the way they really are or people might think we’re stupid.  ~Jules Feiffer

I think the world really boils down to two types of people – those who see shapes in cloud formations, and those who just see clouds.  ~Terri Guillemets

Color of the Year 2010: Turquoise

http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?pg=20706&ca=10

http://www.pantone.com/pages/Pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20705&ca=1

http://www.pantone.com/popups/MYP_mycolormyidea/

Color of the Millenium: Cerulean Blue

http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?pg=20194&ca=10

Week 12: Transparencies

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I started this week’s studies by creating transparencies using Color-aid. I tried to visually calculate what the transparency might look like between Magenta and Cyan. I did several studies because I didn’t feel confident that any of them hit the mark. I also experimented with Magenta and Blue because Cyan didn’t seem to work. The original studies look more accurate than the digital scans.

I chose 3 studies that I felt were most accurate and recreated them using paint.

I researched some transparency photographs. The first picture is a sculpture called “Tower of Fire” which was designed by Johannes Itten. I imagine, when viewed in real life, many different color transparencies could be viewed at different angles.

While studying textile design in Copenhagen, we discussed how Joseph Frank used transparent layers of ink in his screen printed designs and a limited palette to create a range of additional colors. The second examples is a textile design created in transparent watercolors reproduced beautifully on fabric.

Week 11: Patterns (Yay!)

This week’s pattern exercises were a lot of fun. After creating some concept sketches, I create modules using cut paper in different shades of grey.

In order to incorporate color, I will need to put in some time on the computer. I am planning to have my color palettes worked out for next week. The only frustration I find with patterns is that there always seems to be an infinite amount of options. A module can transform into so many patterns according to its range of orientations, shades, scale and placement. Below are the compositions I came up with and the photos that inspired the designs.

Week 10: Logo/Color Contrasts

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I continued to develop my logo this week. I tried a more literal representation for my color book and used a cloud to represent my theme of the sky. I still tried to maintain a hand-drawn, organic feel as well as structure by using a square.

I explored a range of color contrasts. Having studied Itten for my presentation, I felt I was at a slight advantage for this exercise because I am pretty familiar with his theories on the seven color contrasts.

In my first study, I explored the range of saturation in the sky. This was a great mixing exercise so it made sense to use paint. I have definitely become more aware of the subtle changes in the sky and the way in which it communicates.

I have been noticing the beautiful color contrasts of the cyan sky against the red/orange-colored buildings. This seemed like a perfect example of contrast of extension.

In my last study, I began an exploration of pattern. I used  the wooden docks as an abstract element in my design. Then I created several colorways exploring contrast of hue. I chose to explore double complementary pairs: blue/green and red/orange, yellow/green and red/violet. I also explored a complementary triad: blue/green, red/violet, yellow/green.

Week 10: Pattern Inspiration

I collected a variety of patterns from a quilt textile store in Chelsea. I love the range of designs and the way in which cyan in used in many color combinations.

Week 10: Barnett Newman

Barnett Newman was an American Abstract Expressionist of the mid-twentieth century. He painted large (up to 8 feet) canvases of flat, vibrant colors. Newman’s paintings are often characterized by, what he referred to as, a “zip” which is a thin line that cuts vertically through a solid field of color. Later in his career, Newman also worked with shaped canvases. His work shows an excellent example of color contrasts, as he often uses pure hues with high saturation. I have seen his paintings in real life where I have been able to clearly observe the effects of simultaneous contrast.

Week 8: Color Awareness

Surroundings:

My photos for this study range from indoors to outdoors. As soon as I was assigned this hue, I actually noticed how I often use cyan as an accent color in my apartment. I even painted a mural on my wall that is a light tint of cyan. It is used on many home products and in interior decorating because it is a fresh and vibrant color, it is fairly gender neutral and it can be successfully combined with many other colors. In the outdoor environment, aside from the obvious sky color, I found cyan in many other places.I found many shades of cyan in the color of vehicles, from cars, to bikes, to a vespa.

Wearables:

This category wasn’t as easy to find. I think cyan would be a very popular color to see in the summer, but usually darker colors are more apparent during the cold months. In fashion cyan (turquoise or lapis) are often used in jewelry and, for some reason, I associate it with high fashion and colorful couture. I think it’s also commonly used in athletic and sporty apparel.

Texture/Patterns:

After having done many texture studies this week, I chose to show texture as pattern for this study. I was curious to see how cyan was used in combination with other colors to create patterns. These show a range of patterns from geometric to organic and simple to complex. Cyan is often seen in an analogous palette, with an additional highlight or accent color. I am hoping to further this study and continue to explore the use of cyan in textiles.