Fundamentals of Art and Design 3(1+2)

Lesson 05 :APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN USING COLORS.

COLOR RELATED TO PRINCIPLES of DESIGN

Knowledge of the relationship of color to the principles of design is an important creative tool for a skillful designer. The following paragraphs describe some of the relationships color has to the principles of design.

Dominance

A designer uses color in several ways to develop the focal area of a arrangement. The designer creates dominance with color by allowing one color to dominate. In addition, the use of contrast in color is effective for developing the focal area. The use of warm colors and cool colors is also a method, the designer uses to develop the focal area in an arrangement.

Unity

Repetition of color results in unity throughout an arrangement. If a floral designer uses a white container for an arrangement, the arrangement must contain white flowers or variegated foliages to establish unity. Otherwise, the container will appear separate from the arrangement. If a designer uses yellow color for a child’s room, the yellow color is repeated in furniture furnishings and accessories to bring in unity in arrangement.

Balance

Color balance establishes visual balance in an arrangement. Dark colors appear to have more visual weight. When placed lower in an arrangement, the darker colored flowers provide visual stability. Dark flowers and cool colors placed deep into an arrangement contribute to depth. The dark flowers and cool colors are the first to draw the attention of the viewer.

Proportion

To establish proportion in a floral arrangement, a floral designer places smaller, and lighter- colored flowers in greater quantities at the perimeter of the arrangement. Larger flowers of darker shades or pure hues placed in the focal area are fewer in number than the lighter-colored flowers.

Rhythm

Repeating a color throughout an arrangement develops rhythm. A designer accomplishes this by using one color at the focal point and repeating it throughout the arrangement with a tint, tone, or shade of the color. This encourages the viewer’s eyes to travel throughout the arrangement.