Design Fundamentals: Notes on Color Theory

by Rose Gonnella

Miss Color Theory class, again? That’s OK. You can borrow our notes. Lucky for you, we didn’t miss a single class the entire semester so you’ll find all of the important points explained in the notes, along with the class assignments. Sorry if you can’t read the handwriting sometimes, but there was a lot to cover. We went over all of the basics–how light works, ROYGBIV, RGB, CMYK, color wheels, how to choose colors and compose with colors, all of that stuff. If it helps, we tried to include a lot of drawings because that’s how we remember things best. Oh hey, to learn more, just go to the class website at www.design-fundamentals.com or check out the “Notes on Color” pinner on Pinterest. The instructor put extra projects and exercises on the site, a bunch of cool links, recommended reading, that sort of thing. Good luck! See you in Visual Elements and Principles of Composition class next semester.

Genres: Design

203 pages, Paperback

First published April 16, 2014

Reviews

[Erika Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice fun way to learn about foundation level design topics.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun frolic in full color! The final 3 chapters (Designing with Color in Mind, Composing with Color, and Cultural & Emotional Connections) seemed to run out of steam. I wish chapter 4 (Color Names & Classifications) had gone a little deeper, and ideally the course would have connected this with the last chapter.

I was fascinated by the discussion of color fatigue and after images on p. 37-39, particularly this information: "While operating, surgeons developed headaches and saw green spots on clothing & walls. The red of blood caused color fatigue. Remedy: Light blue-green 'gowns' for surgeons, paint operating rooms pale green - the green color provided relief from red fatigue and relieved surgeons' headaches." What else do I take for granted "as is," but there is some profound reason attached to the way things are?!?

"Colors illuminated by manufactured light will change slightly or significantly from colors seen in sunlight. This situation is called Metamerism." (78)

"such as colorful strings used for decorating houses at holiday time" (85). AKA Christmas Lights?!

Additional Resources: https://www.design-fundamentals.com/b...
Amusing Interview: https://www.peachpit.com/articles/art...

Thanks to SLPL Central Library and Sharon M. for the read!

[Lithezebra · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are very pretty, and I find them cluttered and hard to read.

[Ulee ☄︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good book if you want to learn just about everything there is about color theory. The author talks about such topics as the difference in additive color and subtractive colors. She also talks about the harmony of colors and how different cultures may perceive the use of colors. The only issue I have is that while being very creative with presenting the information in the book, she forgot certain rules of design and on some pages the flow of information was confusing or the text was too small.

[Erika Mulvenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read - nicely presented "notes" in hand-scribbled, doodled, and scrawled style, but still easily readable. Probably a good book if you've already studied color theory, but I'm not sure it would be an easy read for someone with no previous knowledge.

[Nicole Mosley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nicely illustrated book of footnotes on color theory. To some it may read a bit cluttered, as it is not neatly typeset and is instead laid out like a true notebook with scribbles and all, but I didn’t find that troubling in the least. A nice go-to if you want to learn about color theory or if you’re like me and just enjoy having a small little reference book handy for when you need a refresher course.