Color Transforms

In his book Interaction of Color, Josef Albers states that “color is the most relative medium in art.” From our studies of color theory, this statement holds true; color is subjective because the perception of color differs from each individual. This makes sense due to the fact that the physiology of the human eye is unique to the person. For instance, two people may characterize the color red differently, claiming that a certain shade is more red than another shade. Similarly, two people may interpret the color red differently, one arguing that it represents love while the other argues that it symbolizes anger. Even with all these differences in perception and interpretation of colors, people will often agree that color has the power to transform design, a power that can be easily seen in interior design.

Take the room shown above as an example. Although it may seem like a simple room, it shows a clever use of color to make a small room appear larger without any major renovation. By using the knowledge that light and cool colors make objects “recede” into the distance, the designers of this room took advantage of a light color palette for wall paint and furnishings, creating an airy and open atmosphere for the room. This can be contrasted with the restrictive feeling presented by the darkly painted room shown below, all due to the fact that dark and warm colors tend to “draw in” objects, making them appear larger.

In addition to the use of a light color palette, the designers also painted the moldings and borders a lighter shade than the main walls of the room. This technique creates a three-dimensional effect, characterized by the darker colored walls appearing to be pushed back, further enlarging the room.

Certainly, the actual proportions of the room did not change at all. However, due to the subjectivity and the interaction of the colors used, the light and cool shades and tints make us perceive the room as larger. Undoubtedly, color is a powerful tool when it comes to transforming designs for the better.  

*Images taken from School of Interior Design and Color; Credit to School of Interior Design and Home Decorating

Design is Dangerous

To some, plastic is the most ingenious invention ever made in human history. During the course of our everyday lives, plastic provides us with many useful items such as portable plastic bottles, durable plastic containers, and strong plastic grocery bags. Certainly, there are numerous advantages to having plastic as a readily available material for present and future designs. However, after years of use and reflection, we have begun to see the detrimental consequences resulting from the design of plastic.

From a scientific perspective, plastic harms the environment and poses a danger for the future of the human race. First of all, plastic is a material made from petroleum oil, a depleting natural resource that humans have grown highly dependent on. Also, certain plastic products contain toxins (such as Bisphenol-A) that are harmful to normal human development and increases the risk of genetic damage in babies and cancer. Additionally, most plastic used today are non-biodegradable. Although there are some exceptions to this fact, plastic still contributes to the increasing amount of waste building up in landfills due to their extremely slow decomposing rates. In fact, for plastic bags and plastic containers to fully decompose, it takes approximately 10-12 years and 50-80 years, respectively.

Plastic also harms wildlife, a fact that should not be taken lightly. Most plastic products, such as plastic grocery bags, end up in the ocean and on the beaches. Birds, dolphins, sea turtles, and other ocean animals may consume these foreign objects, mistaking them for food. Rather than getting a hearty meal, the pieces of plastic they swallow block their digestive tracts, leading them to starve. Moreoever, birds can get caught in plastic bags, potentially causing them to choke or suffocate.

Certainly, when plastic was first created and designed into different products, no one could have imagined the dangers it would pose to society in the future. Nevertheless, these unintentional consequences have surfaced over the years, presenting society with problems of waste control and global warming. Even so, the beauty of design is its ability to redesign old and inefficient designs into new and improved ones. Therefore, plastic and its harmful effects on society can be taken as a stepping stone for future designers to design more ecofriendly products and materials.

*Images taken from Chiriquí Chatter and RKS Plast Chem; Credit to Fake Plastic Fish and Keep Sevier Beautiful

Design in Society: Utopian Designs

Whether in the car or on the curb, everyone is bound to encounter a traffic signal system once in their lifetime. These designs are not meant to restrict an individual’s freedom to walk whenever they wish. Instead, these designs are meant to keep citizens and the society safe, especially for the blind and the deaf; they are essentially utopian designs invented to improve society.

To begin with, the deaf have the disadvantage of not being able to hear incoming traffic at busy intersections. One way of overcoming this obstacle is by following those around them, crossing whenever others cross. However, as many of us have experienced – or even done ourselves – people occassionally ignore traffic signals, risking their lives by racing across the street before unyielding cars reach the intersection. Even if the deaf turn to their vision for help, large vehicles parked in the streets can obstruct their view of speeding cars. Similarly, without their ability to see, the blind have to rely on their hearing in situations like these. With all the noises emitted from car engines, people talking, and the roaring wind, distinguishing sounds of cars passing in front from the sound of cars passing from the side can be a difficult task. These disadvantages of the blind and deaf are adequately alleviated with the newer design of the pedestrian traffic signals which incorporate visual and auditory elements.

The visual aspect of these traffic signals come in the form of familiar symbols. For instance, when pedestrians are supposed to stop and refrain from entering the crosswalk, the traffic signal on the opposite side of the street will signal a red open hand. The color red is often associated with warnings of danger and reminders for caution, and the open hand signal is frequently used by police officers and everyday individuals to tell others to stop or slow down. Additionally, when it is safe for people to cross streets, the iconic symbol of a person walking is displayed on the traffic signal screen. It is also important to note the use of symbols rather than words. Symbols can be easily learned through repeated encounters whereas words require more time especially for young children. Moreover, some traffic signals (like the one pictured above) feature a number countdown. This provides pedestrians with advance knowledge of how much time they have left for safe and priority crossing.

Adding to the visual aspect of the modern traffic signal for pedestrians is its auditory element. These devices emit clicking or chirping sounds to indicate to pedestrians when and when not to cross streets. If the "clicks" and "chirps" repeat at a high frequency and volume, this signals for people to cross. If the sounds are slower and softer, this signals for people to stay on the curb. Evidently, this particular feature benefits the blind tremendously.

Although the incorporation of visual and auditory elements seek to make traveling safer for the blind and deaf, the design of the modern traffic signal system ultimately improves society as a whole, making a progressive step towards a utopia.

*Image taken from Precision Solar Controls Inc.