COLOR

PLANNING

FOR

INTERIORS

JOSHIMA V.M., UON.

COLOR CONCEPTS &

SYSTEMS

1. Additive mixing

2. Subtractive mixing

3. Munsell color system

4. Pantone System

5. Artist’s circle

6. Traditional color schemes

7. Itten’s contrast

ADDITIVE MIXING

• This describes color mixing with light in medias like televisions

and computer monitors.

• When combined, the additive colors create white light,

reflecting all wavelengths.

• RGB makes digital imaging possible.

• Eg: Mobile phones, Laptops, TVs etc.

YELLOW MAGENTA

CYAN

WHITE

SUBTRACTIVE MIXING

• Subtractive mixing happens in pigments, dyes and printing

processes.

• Subtractive colors mix to be black, absorbing all wavelengths.

• Red- Green-Yellow are the primary colors for pigments. Which

when combined together give brown instead of black.

• So for printing purposes, another 4 primary colors are used.

• CMYK- Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black

• CMYK makes color printing possible.

PIGMENT COLORS

YELLOW

ORANGE

PRINTING COLORS

MUNSELL COLOR

SYSTEM

Alber Munsell proposed a color system to standardize color

measurement and communication.

Munsell color system is a color space that

specifies colors based on three color dimensions: hue, value

(lightness), and chroma (color purity).

Munsell system contains 5 principle colors-

red yellow green blue purple.

And 5- intermediate hues.

This system defines Tint, Shade and Tone in relation to value and

chroma.

PANTONE SYSTEM

The company Pantone offer commercial specification guides for

printing inks and other color related services like paints and

fabrics.

Company is noted for its Pantone Matching System (PMS).

Pantone has combines pigments to make colors that is not

possible with CMYK process.

ARTIST’S CIRCLE

Artist’s circle is also known as color wheel is an example of a

subtractive system containing primary pigments of Red, Yellow

and Blue.

TRADITIONAL COLOR

SCHEMES

Artist’s circle is

used to create

color schemes

based on

principles of

balance.

ITTEN’S CONTRAST

More insightful observation of color

were formulated by Bauhaus

instructor Johannes Itten.

Itten created his own variation of the

artist’s circle.

He enumerated 7 types of color

contrast found in 2-dimensional

applications.

7 TYPES OF COLOUR

CONTRASTS

1. Hue contrast

2. Temperature contrast

3. Value contrast

4. Saturation

5. Compliments

6. Simultaneous contrast

7. Extensions

1. HUE CONTRAST

Alternating different hues to create contrast

in the interior.

The greater the distance between hues on a

color wheel, the greater the contrast.

A great is example is black-white or even

yelllow-red-blue.

2. TEMPERATURE

CONTRAST

Colour temperature refers to the perceived warmth or coolness of

a hue.

Temperature contrast refers to creating contrast by evenly

distributing cool colours and warm colours.

It´s greatest effect is achieved with the colours orange-red and

blue-green.

TEMPERATURE

CONTRAST

Warm colours are made with orange, red, yellow

and combinations of them all they remind us of

sunlight.

Cool colours, such as blue, green and light

purple have the ability to calm and soothe and

they remind us of water and sky

3. VALUE CONTRAST

It is based on the use of different

brightness and tone values of the

colours.

All colours can be lightened with white,

and darkened with black.

Eg: Contrast of light and dark between

colours in a room is used to create

visual patterns.

4. SATURATION

CONTRAST

This is a contrast between luminous

and dull colours.

Some colours by nature are more

saturated than others. eg. Yellow

is more saturated colour than

purple.

A highly saturated hue creates focal

point in many natural and built

environment.

5. COMPLEMENTS

In the colour wheel, the complementary colours

occupy opposite positions.

Complimentary colours placed side by side

creates contrast.

Example:

Yellow-violet

Blue -orange

Red-green

6. SIMULTANEOUS

CONTRAST

Its effect is derived from the law of

complementary colours, according to which

each pure colour physiologically demands its

opposite colour – its complement.

If this colour is absent, the eye will produce it

simultaneously.

Eg: Strong green makes neutral grey next to it

appear reddish-grey, whereas the effect of

strong red on the same grey is a greenish-grey

appearance.

7. EXTENSIONS

Contrast of extension emphasis colours in relation to one another.

This is also known as contrast of proportion.

It involves the proportion of colours used.

Two factors determine the force of a pure colour>

• its brilliance

• lightness of value and its extent.

PSYCHOLOGY OF

COLOURS

RED

Red is the colour of fire and

blood, so it is associated with

energy, war, danger, strength,

power, determination, as well

as passion, desire and love.

It is a very emotionally intense

colour and enhances the

human metabolism, increases

the respiration rate and raises

the blood pressure.

In decorating, red is usually

used as an accent.

ORANGE

Orange combines the energy of

red and the happiness of yellow.

It signifies joy, sunshine,

enthusiasm, success, stimulation.

Orange increases the oxygen supply

to the brain, has an invigorating

effect and stimulates mental

activity.

As red, orange in decorating is

used most as an accent.

YELLOW

Yellow is the colour of sunshine

and it's associated with joy,

happiness, intellect and energy. It

produces an warming effect,

arouses cheerfulness, stimulates

mental activity and generates

muscle energy.

While it's considered an optimistic

colour, people lose their tempers

more often in yellow rooms and

babie will cry more.

It's a difficult colour for the eyes,

so not to over use it.

GREEN

Green is the colour of nature

and it symbolizes growth,

harmony, freshness and fertility.

It has a great healing power and

it's the most restful colour for

the human eyes.

BLUE

Blue symbolizes trust, loyalty,

wisdom, confidence, faith and truth.

It's considered beneficial for the mind

and the body, it slows the

metabolism and has a calming

effect.

It's a colour that produces tranquility

and calmness.

Blue can also be cold and

depressing.

PURPLE

Purple combines the

stability of blue and the

energy of red and it

symbolizes power, nobility

and ambition.

It is often associated

with wisdom, creativity,

mystery and magic and it

is rare in nature.

WHITE

White is considered to be the

colour of perfection.

It means safety, purity and

cleanliness and has o

positive connotation.

In decorating, white is popular

because it is light, neutral

and goes with everything.

BLACK

Black is associated with power

and elegance, but also with

evil and death.

It is a mysterious colour,

associated with fear and the

unknown.

In decorating, it is used as an

accent colour, because it

darkens the room.

COLOR PLANNING

FRAMEWORK

1. Color as Composition, shaping space.

2. Color as Communication, creating meaning.

3. Color as Preference, reflecting individuality or market

trends.

4. Color as Response, arousing feelings and responses.

5. Color as Pragmatics, responding to resource

parameters.

1. COMPOSITION

To work with color as composition elements, one need to

integrate color, lighting and materiality.

eg: white color wall can be red based or blue based with

reflecting or diffusing surface.

Color grouping in composition can be effective in :

1. Unify the exterior with interior

2. Visually connect different interior spaces

3. Create focal points

4. Camouflage areas within interiors

Key concepts for color composition are complexity, balance,

contrast, relationships, interaction and integration.

2. COMMUNICATION

Colors are used to communicate meanings to people.

Symbolic meanings and subtle connections are also expressed

through colour usage.

Key concepts for colour communication are identity,

concept, ambiance, time and place.

3. PREFERENCE

Color preferences influence the design process.

Individual preferences can also be influenced by market trends

and cycles which encourage selection of current color and

finishes.

Key concepts: signature colors, personal identity and market

color.

4. RESPONSE

Relationship between color and human response is tangible and

not fully understood.

It can be from arousal of emotions to navigation of buildings.

Key concepts: physiological, psychological and behavioral

responses.

5. PRAGMATICS

Color in design also reflects practical reality.

Resource constraints makes to use less expensive materials and

finishes in given color range.

Preconditions in reuse buildings and maintenance issues also

effect.

Key concepts: resources, preconditions, maintenance and

sustainability factors.

CASE STUDIES

1. COLOUR PROGRESSION &

TRANSITION

Colours can enliven transitional spaces through which people

move to their destinations.

O’Hare Airport in Chicago contains an automated walkway

between terminal 1 and 2. designed the space with kinetic

optical lights that pulsate in rhythm with music.

Contains angled mirrors and coloured lights, and filled with

sounds of native birds.

2. INTEGRATED COLOUR

Project: BellSouth Corporation, Atlanta

Colour is used to unify, create progressions and spatially zone the

large building on several levels.

1. Connect with urban setting.

2. To develop a sense of progression within interiors.

3. Unify areas and create areas of emphasis.

4. Communicate corporate mission.

5. Spatial zoning by activity and function.

The exterior glass walls exposes the red walls to visually

connect with the passer by and contrast the surroundings.

This red band is connected to

a stripped band of yellow,

orange and green.

In the less public areas the red

bands leads to a more

complex colour and

material palette.

Red continues into the self-

service area of the cafeteria

as one hue in a tile mosaic

of green and neutrals.

Transitional spaces

has more neutral

colour

appearance with

red toned wood,

glass and

metallic finishes.

In the deeper formal areas green

is more predominant with red

used in the ceilings.

CONFERENCE ROOM

Conference rooms are

more subdued to

support the lower

lighting levels.

3. BOLD COLORS

Project: Mexican Grocery

Colour was used to clearly demarcate product zones and

circulation pathways with strong accent colors, bold graphics

and signage.

4. PRAGMATICS

Project: K8 school, New Jersey

Focus of this project was to educate

children regardless of income.

No expensive finishes or installations were

used.

Different traditional warm and cool color

schemes were employed for different

grades of classes.

Materials were left with less finishes.