13 PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN IN USE OF COLOUR

M.R. Thilagam

Introduction

The principles of design are balance, proportion, rhythm, emphasis and harmony. Unfortunately one cannot learn to apply colour principles after merely reading about them in a book, they must be studied and they must be consciously applied every time a colour is used. The first step toward intelligent colour work is careful study of the colour chart and the value scale in order to gain the ability to visualize colours in different degrees of lightness or darkness; to recognize colours in various degrees of brightness or dullness; and to be able to picture the additional hues that appear between colours shown in the chart.

The objectives of this lesson are

1.      To make you sensitive to colour relationship

2.      Should understand colour effects and combinations

3.      To learn effects of colour upon each other and

4.      To know the guiding principles in the use of colours.

The successful use of colour is extremely complex and interesting. In different combinations one often finds that

1. Colours are beautiful for the purpose for which they have been chosen
2. Colours are so combined as to enhance one another’s beauty

There is no such thing as ugly colour or beautiful colour. Colour is beautiful if it is used in the right place and in right amount. It may be a floor covering upholstery material, wall painting, decorative art pieces etc.

Balance in colour

Balance or the feeling of rest underlines the well known ‘Law of areas’. The law of areas is also known as “the Law of Background”. This law states ‘large areas of colour should be quiet in effect, while small amounts may show strong contrast; the larger the areas quieter the colour and smaller the area the more striking the contrast may become. This contrast may be done due to a decided difference in hue, in value or in intensity’.

There should be a balance of bright and dull colours as too much as anyone may appear monotonous. Colours which are alike in value and intensity will present the same amount of attraction to the eye and therefore balance each other.Too much of brightness may irritate, while too much of dullness may be depressing. For example, in a child’s room, warm colour may appear cheerful but a combination of it make it more appealing, (eg) pink curtains with red and white checkered may go together. A small quantity of light value will balance a large amount of a dark value or small amounts of dark can balance large areas of light colour.

The hues which are directly opposite to each other in the chart form a natural balance because they complement each other in the eye. For example, imagine a room furnished in tan and brown with accents of bright red-orange. Unless there is a cleverly balanced distribution of light and dark areas, the room might become monotonous. Addition of some of opposite hue, such as blue, green or blue green, and it will be seen that the effect will be more satisfying through the introduction of balancing colour.

Balance of colours can also be achieved by selecting the varied amounts of bright and dull colours according of “law of areas” and by arrangement of these colours.

By repeating some of the same colours, colours or values can be balanced, in various parts of an arrangement this is also called ‘crossing’ which has the tendency to give a feeling of rest. For example, imagine a dining room in which walls and wood work are ivory white and the furniture mahogany. Let blue-green draperies hang at the windows on one side of the room. This is not complete. If some echoes of blue-green appear in the accessories against the wall or chair seats or rug, it would give a pleasant effect.

Proportion in colour

Since each colour has the power of attracting attention through hue, value and intensity, that attention must be considered as “weight” of the colour.

This principle applies to colour as much as to sizes. Colour combinations are more beautiful when the amounts are varied, than when they are equal. Usually the Greek proportion of two parts : three parts or five : seven holds good here but if the colours are very different in their forcefulness, they should be arranged according to the ‘Law of Areas’, and the brighter colours used in smaller amounts.

Rhythm in colour

In colour, rhythm and balance through “crossing” or repetition implies an arrangement of colours along which the eye can move easily from one colour to another. When colours are skillfully repeated in several places in a room the eye travels rhythmically as it follows these colours. Rhythmic colour results from the use of gradations in hue, value or intensity. However there should be a gradual change in the value or intensity of a colour.

Emphasis in colour

It can be achieved by contrast of hue, light and dark and brightness. In any colour arrangement there should be one outstanding colour effect, Even if it is quiet, simple or complicated scheme one should be conscious of a main colour perhaps in different degrees of distinctness or in various values and intensities. For example, there may be an effect of a yellowish tone running through a group of orange. The effect of every other colour used in the arrangement should be subordinated to the main colour. If only black, white and grays are used, the same principle would be followed, and one value would predominate. All ways one should be conscious in making the background should be quiet and less emphatic to make the objects effective against them. The effect of every other colour used in the arrangement should be subordinated to the main colour to prevent confusion.

Harmony in colour

Colour combinations with harmony or unity give more pleasure to the eyes. They give the impression that all the colours really belong together, yet at the same time there must be sufficient variety to avoid monotony. The most beautiful colour schemes are those which give a single impression and impression of warmth with a note of coolness or of coolness with a accent of warmth. Instead of interesting variety, discord is apt to result when extremely warm colours are combined with cold colours, unless one follows the “ Law of Areas” and uses the contrasts in small amounts. If they are skillfully combined, contrasts are arresting and stimulating.

Factors affecting the use of colour schemes for rooms

Colour is a source of universal pleasure. It is important for every one of us to have beautiful colours in our homes and learn to enjoy them. It is necessary for all of us to have some knowledge of colour so that they are used to one’s delight and to fortify them against dullness elsewhere.

While planning colour schemes for the rooms, it is necessary to consider them for the entire home as one unit to obtain a unifying effect. A colour plan for the entire home in which, each room is independent of the others, has less unity than a related plan. It is wise to start planning from the living/drawing room first, then dining room and finally the bedrooms. Once these areas are planned, then the plan for the passages, corridors can be carried out. The colour schemes for these areas can be different from the rooms to produce variety.

Style and purpose of the room

The foremost factor in the selection of a colour scheme for any room is the room itself, its size, shape and exposure. Analysis of a room is therefore, the first factor in making a colour scheme for it. While considering the size, small rooms gain spaciousness and appear larger with light, cool receding colours in the background and on the furniture too. On the other hand, the warm advancing colours reduce the size of the room and make a room to seem smaller and cramped. In large rooms, warm/advancing colours are more appropriate than a cool/receding colour scheme. A receding colour will not only make the large room to appear larger, but may also give a feeling of being empty and under furnished. A well-planned colour scheme can help to alter visually the size of the room, if it is desired so. Similarly a long narrow room can be made to appear wider and of better proportion if the end walls are decorated with warm advancing colours and side walls with cool receding colours.

The room’s shape can also be changed in similar ways a rectangular room can be made to appear like a square one and a square to be a rectangular one. This can be obtained by alternating receding and advancing colours on the four walls of the room, thereby changing the shape of the room. Thus the room can be made to appear in better proportion.

Another aspect of the room that affects the choice of colour is the amount of sunlight that it receives. Rooms with too much light need dark subdued colours. The rooms facing west, south and south-west receive the maximum sunlight and therefore, become very warm, especially in summers. In contrast to these rooms, rooms, in the eastern and northern direction receive comparatively lesser sunlight. These rooms are cool, especially in winters. To counter this effect, cool colours in former rooms and warmer colour in the latter rooms should be opted.

The style adopted in a room determines the use of colour. Certain styles, such as traditional or conventional are best expressed by the authentic colours of the natural dyes that were used with the original furniture.

Fashion

Fashion is an important aspect of civilized living. It influences or in a way limits all the things we use or enjoy. It is therefore, not surprising that colour schemes are also affected by fashions. One has to keep up with colours in fashion by visiting shops or reading magazines. In fact, it can be said that a person will find in the market, only those colours which are in fashion, though they might prefer other colours for their house. Thus, fashion in a way limits the choice of colour only to the available ones in the market. Thus, availability of colour according to fashions is another factor deterring the colours scheme of interiors.

Mood

Mood of a room is an important consideration and can be expressed through and in colours. One has to decide which mood needs to be developed in the room-whether it is to be active or subdued, masculine or feminine, formal or informal, sophisticated or practical. A delicate feminine room can be done with dusty pink or peaches while a masculine room in wine red, brown or navy blue. A living room which is an activity – centered room, would require a colour scheme with electric blue, lemon and white with a small quantity of bright red. An elegant room, similarly, can be done with the neutral shades like grey, brown, beige, etc. along with the toned or greyed blues or pinks. Thus the colour scheme also exhibits the mood of the room.

Personality

Personality of people also influences their colour choice. Women who are too feminine may choose soft cool colours like pinks, peaches. An informal room may call for colours that are bright, strong and stimulating. A room that is meant for relaxation and repose should have colours that are quiet and restful. Children’s rooms may have colours that are either bright or delicate, such as red, royal blue or yellow. At times a person’s personality is shaped by her profession, place of living, like urban, rural etc. Such factors determine a person’s personality and her choice of colours.

Possessions

For anyone, who is setting up a house for the first time, the exercise of furnishing and colour plans begin from scratch. It is not difficult to choose whatever they would like to use in their homes. But, in the case of families, who are settled, and are in the middle of their family life cycle, it is seen that their possessions limit the choice of colours. Carpets, furniture etc., purchased earlier have to be used and cannot be thrown away in these days when these items have been bought at high prices. Some of the families may not like to throw away certain items because of their sentimental values like family possession, gifts and others bought on special occasions. Some of the items may also have been in good condition and therefore, last for a long time. There is no point in discarding these to purchase fresh ones and incur more expenditure. Therefore, these items are to be taken into account while selecting fresh ones.

Use of room

Among all the factors that influence the colour choice, the most important one, perhaps, is the use of the room. The use of room influences the colour scheme to a great extent, because colour can help to emphasize the purpose of the room in addition to contributing to its efficiency and comfort.

The use of a room decides in a way its colour scheme. Colour can help to emphasize the purpose of a room in addition to actually contributing to its efficiency. The time of day when a room is occupied most should be a factor in its colour scheme selection, and naturally a room should look its best at that time.

Effect of Artificial Lighting

The artificial light affects the colour of room. Thus due consideration should be given as how colours would look in the type of lighting chosen in interiors. Yellow light of incandescent bulb will absorb yellow colour and would make a brown colour look very dull, a blue wall paper would look gray and lemon yellow walls would look like peach colour. Similarly cool light of fluorescent tubes affect blues and purples and make yellow look very dull.

Family tastes and personalities

The rooms used by all people should reflect not individual preferences but a general taste. A living room should neither be very feminine nor masculine. The favourite colours of the occupants should be used in their personal rooms. One’s personal likes and dislikes of a colour should not be used in a living room, dining room or family room. It is said that light colours should be used in children’s room, vivid ones in young people’s room and soft medium ones for adults. The common room should be painted with warm cheerful colours that express hospitality.

References:-

• Craig and Rush, Homes with Character
• Dorothy Stepat-De van. Home Furnishings
• Faulkner and Faulkner (1975), Inside Today’s Home, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York.
• Gandotra.V, Shukul.M, and Jaiswal.N, (2011) Introduction to Interior Design and Decoration, Dominant Publishers and Distributors New Delhi.
• Goldstein and Goldstein, Art in Everyday life, Prentice hall Inc . New Jersey.