Class 22 | Color Interaction Continued | Graphic Design Principles I

all gouache paints* from Supply List
brushes, water containers, palette
ruler, t-square, exacto knife
pencils
9×12″ bristol
glue
* UPDATE: if you wish to use Photoshop/Illustrator or cut paper instead of paint, you may do so. Bring a Flash/Jump drive to class. See below for instructions.

Color Interaction Studies – Continued

NEXT INTERACTION STUDY: Value in Color
This color study will explore color interactions by shifting value in color.

Process:

Create (2) color interaction pairs by shifting value in color.
Choose one hue as your small, center square color, preferably one that is in middle key.
Attempt to make this one color appear as two by varying the surrounding color.
For each pair choose one background hue and adjust the value by adding white and/or complement. Or choose another hue that is of contrasting VALUE.
Follow the same process for mounting and presentation as the previous study.

Alternate Process:

If you choose to work digitally, please adhere to the following additional guidelines:

Create (4) color interaction pairs by shifting value in color. That’s (2) additional pairs.
Choose one hue as your small, center square color, preferably one that is in middle key.
Attempt to make this one color appear as two by varying the surrounding color.
For each pair choose one background hue and adjust the value by adding white and/or complement. Or choose another hue that is of contrasting VALUE.
Your final Color Interaction Studies should be presented in exactly the same format as outlined in the Assignment Guidelines.
If you do not have a GOOD color printer at home, you will need to take your files to a copy shop, like Kinkos on Court St. or SaveMor on Flatbush Ave. Do NOT “scale to fit” when printing.
Even if your digital files are accurate, if your printouts do not demonstrate the color interactions intended, you will not receive credit for the assignment.
NOTE: A detailed demonstration will be given in class. If you miss the demo, complete the assignment in paint.
Example Photoshop file.

Examples:

In the first pair (blue) the value is altered by adding white to the left square and the complement to the right square. The center square appears darker on the left and lighter on the right.
In the second pair (yellow), the slightly muted yellow on the left and the chromatic gray on the right alter the perceived value of the center square.
Work with different surrounding hues, altering the perceived value at all levels of saturation (chromatic grays, muted and prismatic) until you achieve a perceptual difference between center squares. It’s interesting to notice how these two studies look in grayscale.

Complete your (2) pairs of color interactions making value adjustments in color (you may have to make several attempts)
If you are working digitally, complete (8) pairs of color interactions (see above).
Come prepared for the next and final color interaction experiment.

Graphic Design Principles I – Fall 2012