The science of color starts with a single premise, the desire to feel a specific way. This focuses on primal color, how we respond to color in the built environment, and what it takes to create a humane environment. According to Jean Baptiste Camille Corot, the Finance Minister of France in 1800 “Who told you that one paints with colors? One makes use of colors, but one paints with emotions. Color affects the way we think, feel, and act continually. This article is based on reviewing the science of color presented by Gillian Rose, the founder of the Science of ColorTM on YouTube.
Elements of Colors.
Gillian Rose talks about 5 elements of color. What are our primal responses to color; for example, what colors are we drawn to for the sheer purpose of creating calmness? What is Color, how do we respond to colors, why do we respond to these colors, and Why does it matter? She goes further to explain that when Architects are physically working for clients the most important thing for the Architect is to first locate oneself in understanding the elements of color. An illustration is given by telling viewers to close their eyes and think about their favorite color with a feeling of this color entering into the crown of their head, moving down to the shoulders, torso, legs, and then feet. With the intention for viewers to know if they had a specific image they looked at when going through the process. Because no images can be seen while going through the exercise, it gives a reason why color is felt within and not abstractive as there is a part of our brain called the Hypo campus that enables us to remember every color that we have ever seen. Another illustration is given as an exercise for the viewers; 15 images are shown on the screen and viewers are asked to look at an exact image and imagine themselves in a room sitting across an opposite wall in that exact image. Jillian Rose employs users to immerse themselves in that image which will in turn inform them that, that is their primal color even though it is not their favorite color. She further explains that Architecture, the built environment, and color are larger than we imagine it to be which is a different approach to studying what a color palette should be.
Primal Responses.
Gillian Rose explains further what the Primal response to color is. She says the sole purpose for identifying primal colors is to know which colors make us feel calm, and put us at ease as it is a biological response that is built into our DNA. She illustrates this by showing Eight slides of designs as illustrated in (10:00-14:00) of the YouTube presentation. Some were designed by her as a sample to show which is geared to a primal response based on how much we respond to the designs; these designs are;
- Diana Vreeland living room (Red room
- Thierry Despont Office (The Power House)
- A Private Home in Bra illustrating serenity
- A Private Home in NYC showing a tonal piece
- Pop art: UN studio in the Netherlands
- Nasher Art Gallery
- Princess by night; seemingly green room private residence.
- Luis Barragan in Mexico City.
Viewers take a poll and choose which design they will best want to be in with the majority selecting Luis Barragan as their preferred option.
Color Quiz.
This is another illustration to show our primal response to color by viewing colors. The quiz includes an image of a is a color scale which is shown to viewers and viewers are asked to select how many distinct color is seen; the actual number of distinct colors in the colored scale is 43; A poll was taken and it was noted that people who saw more than 43 colors looked at the scale through a distorted light and people who saw lesser color indicated that this category of people doesn’t see much color as other people. A Red Scale is also shown which illustrates the different ways males and females perceive the red color scale. Julian Rose explains that the gene that allows us to see red lies solely on the x chromosomes which is predominantly in women. This enables women to see more variety of red colors better than men who see just a high median and dark median of colors.
What is Color?
According to G Color is energy and vibration. She explains that there is nothing in this world that doesn’t vibrate whether through sounds, sight scent, or touch. Because all of our senses are stimulated through vibration. She also said that wavelengths are interrelated with colors as it is the vibration and the energy of these wavelengths per specific color.
How we see color; theory of Emotion.
Jillian Rose explains how we see color, by saying that colors are events at any time, as the first thing that happens is a cresponse as there is a part of the brain that informs our cerebral cortex if we want to be near or away from color. It also instills any kind of psychological response that we have to see the color. An illustration is given to further understand how we see colors by showing an image of a cat that is warm and fuzzy; which signals our brain that it is a harmless image which then informs our emotional response of “awe” and “sweet”. The same image is shown but is contrasted which makes our cognition impacted. This signals our brain that what we are seeing doesn’t make sense which in turn makes our physiological responses slow down until we can figure out what we are seeing.
How we see color; neurologically.
This is explained by making viewers understand and throwing us back to the concept of how we see color through our physiological and biological responses. Jillian Roses explains that after this happens our instincts and conscious symbolism set in as this is where the cognition starts as compared to the responses we receive earlier as they are reflexes and not cognitive. She explains that conscious symbolism is associated with things like stop signs are Red; as this has the longest wavelength which enables us to see the color farthest away. Gillian Rose also says that Another way we see color neurologically is through fashion trends, fashion, and the media and this is through the aid of Hypo campus which enables us to remember color that has been seen; This is why color marketing works; because we are being reminded of a particular color which then creates an affinity between us and the color. Lastly, she says that another factor that makes us see color neurologically is our relationship with the color.
Why are we drawn to Specific Colors; Temperament.
As explained by Julian Roberts; Temperament is a reason why we are drawn to a specific color. Temperament is in our chromosomes as explained earlier; this has to do with how much stimuli is required to create a calm and balance. It is fixed and does not change. A spectrum of temperament continuum scale to show the variations of personalities which are Introvert, Ambivert, and Extrovert. She explains that this comes into play when we design as Architects, when designing a public space, we should take into consideration the different personalities using the space as compared to when we design for an individual personality.
Why it Matters; Intentional color
Why does color matter in a built environment? Intentional color comes into play when we are creating and analyzing our color palette for the requirements of the space. Who are we designing for? Are there a lot of people in the space? Are we creating an appealing space? These are questions that should be put into consideration keeping in mind the spectrum of personalities in that space. An illustration from (33:52-41-29) of the video shows different projects’ Gillian Rose explains these projects by stating the purpose for which the project is designed, the project concept, and the personalities that the project is designed. This helps to understand “Why it Matters” as an element of color.
Humane Enviroments ; Case Studies.
Boston Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Architect: Rafael Vinolly
The Boston Convention and Exhibition Centre is a public space that requires a large expanse of mostly slum land to be cleared for construction. Which occupies a land mass of 2 million square feet and is 43 stories tall if the structure is built end to end of the land. The building was all white which didn’t sit well with the clients; hence; the Architect was told to engage the services of an Interior designer and this was where Jillian Rose came in. The first thought of Jillian Rose before designing was looking out for what Boston is known for which is ‘Foliage” in which she was able to create her concept around her image as shown in (44:45-50:00) of the video. The image showed foliage in the fall and spring colors with an ocean in between, this became the concept of the interior design of the Boston Convention Center; one side of the building was organized in spring colors, the other side in fall colors and the lobby as the ocean. This was a way to depict an easy way finding of spaces. On the 3rd story was a large ballroom room and Jillian Rose’s idea for this space was to create an environment that fulfilled the function of a ballroom room which is “Fundraising”. Thus, a sensual, existing environment was created.
“Intentional Color” Promotes Health and Wellness Within the Built Enviroment.
it has been researched that we don’t just have an emotional response to color, but biological, physiological responses and also taking into consideration our primal colors.
If colors are approached analytically and humanely; a human environment where people want to be is created and when all these factors are not put into place;
- Concentration deteriorates.
- Attention fluctuates.
- Lapses and Normal perception fades.
- Unexplained Headaches/Nausea Occurs.
The presenter explains that our surrounding has a serious effect on our sense of well-being and intention. Primal Color pallets are needed to restore harmony and balance within an environment. As described by Pablo Picasso “Color is Democratic. It should not be luxury; it should be like water and air.”
Conclusion.
As architects in creating ideas of colors for a space; we should first live in that space; know the primal colors of that environment and keep this in tune with what the client wants. We should learn to embrace colors and not ignore them by understanding science and where they should be in use. For example; a floor represents stability and should have a dark surface in a space. A wall serves as security and should have a medium tone and Our ceiling should be reflective. We should also ensure that as Architect we have a position where we are choosing the colors of our design; it is from our point of view, the client’s point of view, or the intention of the design
REFERENCES.
The Science of Color (June 3, 2020) Presented by the AIALA Interior Architecture Committee. Available at: https://www.aialosangeles.org/event/science-of-color (Accessed: February 2024).
