A thoughtful, practical introduction to color theory and application.
By the End of the Course, You'll:
- Apply and select color thoughtfully to strengthen and elevate your design work
- Articulate design decisions using color theory vocabulary and terminology
- Move beyond habitual patterns and personal preferences to explore new color working approaches
Your Learning Experience:
Human responses to color originate in the brain's regions governing confidence, fidelity, conduct, and preference formation. Every effective creative project depends on the designer making deliberate and informed color decisions.
In Color for Designers: Exploration, Theory, & Application, Richard Mehl establishes foundational color theory knowledge and demonstrates practical application methods. Richard's studies with renowned design figures Paul Rand, Bradbury Thompson, and Herbert Matter inform his teaching. In this course, he synthesizes insights from twelve years of teaching experience and published writings on color in design.
Richard presents color theory in an understandable and approachable manner for design professionals. You will encounter relevant concepts and techniques through investigations of diverse physical and digital projects.
- Terminology, symbolism, and interpretation of color
- Approaches to assessing color in its surroundings
- Construction and application of contrast grids and color optical effects
Methods for establishing appealing color combinations across projects
In Color for Designers: Exploration, Theory, & Application, you will cultivate expanded awareness and discernment regarding color that strengthens your assurance in both individual and professional applications.
Ideal Audience:
- This course serves designers and color enthusiasts of any level who work across diverse specialties, from event design to interface design. Experienced designers will find value in this comprehensive color theory refresher.
Comprehensive Lesson Breakdown
- Why Study Color?
- Natural Color Awareness & Color Exploration
- Colors and Their Connections
- Color Contrast Relationships Using the Color Wheel
- Hands-On Color Grid Construction
- Color Optical Effects in Application
- Interaction of Color Exploration - Section 1
- Interaction of Color Exploration - Section 2
- Transparency Appearance Through Color
- Hands-On Independent Color Investigation
- Color in Professional Practice: Designer Pablo Delcan
Second Day Sessions
- Color Application in Design Work: Tangrams
- Hands On: Tangram Design Activities
- Hands On: Plant Material Composition
- Color Expression & Contrasting Elements - Section 1
- Color Expression & Contrasting Elements - Section 2
- Study of Historical and Contemporary Masters
- Hands On: Paper Layering Effects
- Discovering Color in Everyday Objects and Environments
- Natural World Color Study with Rachel Gregg
