Overview

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In the first part of the course on color, we will focus on perception and the mechanisms used by the brain to see and make sense of color. Topics covered include the vocabulary of color, including color systems, color separation, color printing, online color, and the effects of lighting on color. By the end of this course, you will gain an appreciation for how color perception is influenced by cultural differences, how color influences design and commerce through practices of color forecasting, and how to understand the manipulation of images in visual communication.

Syllabus

Color Theory and Color Systems

This part of the specialization will offer you an in-depth discovery and application of color theory. We will start this part of the course by studying how the human eye and brain work together to derive meaning from visual cues and navigate a visual world. Throughout this course and overall specialization, there will be plenty of exercises and projects designed to practice specific color techniques to help provide you with a direct experience of color structure and interconnections, and how they impact the eye and mind to better understand even more about visual communication.

Color Perception and Uses of Color in Design

In this module, we will explore how the senses shape our understanding of the visual world in order to understand how perceptual principles can be translated into design principles. The language of color should be both intentional and efficient. By understanding how the eye and brain work together to derive meaning from images, we will be able to create visual designs that better communicate ideas and information. We will put into practice perceptual principles like pre-attentive features and principles derived from Gestalt theory to experiment with basic graphic design techniques.

Color Considerations for Branding and Campaigns

Throughout the courses in this specialization, we have surveyed many of the visual communication formats that define today's image-dominant culture. One main aim of this overall specialization is to set aside time to expand your knowledge to understand how visual communication functions in the digital age, and how we can all become more fluent at analyzing, interpreting and creating images and graphics that communicate effectively. If you have not discovered this fact so far, simply having design software on your computer does not make you a designer. Much like preparing a meal, just because you have the correct tools in your kitchen does not make you a chef. You can have the best state-of-the-art equipment and still no make a meal worth eating. Much like any skill, art takes time and practice. It also takes a background understanding and appreciation of various theories and guidelines, as well as knowing the audience and overall goal of a brand. But don’t let the mechanics of this course and the various tools we’ll be using frustrate or intimidate you. Remember, most design tools are quite similar. But much like cooking, you need to have the background and insight to be a chef. The intention of all the modules, activities, discussions and readings was to make you more comfortable in understanding the language of visual communication and design. Enjoy and have fun experimenting!