Critical analysis of Color Application
Color is one of the most important elements of art, which most artists use for various purposes. In any piece of art, color is what comes out clearly, when an individual is exposed to a picture or a photograph. Due to this, a lot of emphasis and thought is required when making a decision about the color to use in a drawing. This discussion presents a critical analysis of color application with the focus on the interior coloring of ‘g’ hotel in Ireland. Various aspects/subtopics of color are covered including; Color & symbolic association, Visual Perception & Color, Color & Human Response and Color Harmony.
This is a five star hotel located in Galway in the west of the Ireland. Its rooms are painted in deep violets, black, and white to create an impression. The choice of colors as evidenced through this painting is a clear indication that indeed colors are used symbolically (DesignMind, 2013). The mixture of colors in these rooms gives a sexy impression, as well as a place that is calm; aimed at attracting the attention of the customers. The walls and the room top are painted in deep violet. The chairs have sheds of these same colors creating a sense of uniformity. On the other hand, the floor is painted black and white. This combination of colors makes the room appear attractive and appealing to an eye.
Different people have different preferences when it comes to colors, and this is one of the reasons why different artworks or buildings are painted in different colors (Whitfield & Whiltshire, 1990). These colors carry specific messages to different people, which are sometimes based on the biological or learned meaning. This means that a person may develop an interest in certain colors through observation, while others have innate appeal or attraction to certain colors (O’Connor, 2010). Therefore, the perception about these colors makes people to automatically begin to create a given impression. The situation or the context that colors are used also does communicate a lot. Certain colors are suitable in a given environment and not in others. In this case, use of deep violet and bright colors in the ‘g’ five star hotel signifies a lot. To some, this combination is perfects but to others it is not. For instance, more women would find it appropriate and appealing as compared to men. Contrastingly, men do not embrace bright colors. The context in which it is used is appropriate and it serves the purpose of attracting more clients. Customers that visit the hotel rooms feel some sort of calmness and warmth. The visual perception of the color is also evident, as it leaves a marked impression on an individual, which becomes intensive and clear to the mind of the person and frequently incites the urge of wanting to visit the hotel once again.
The ways human beings respond to colors do vary, since colors signify different meanings. For instance, in the society, colors such as violent and purple signify authority, sophistication and power; and white means happiness, purity, and sincerity among many others (Bellizzi, Crowley & Hasty, 1983). Therefore, because of the meaning attached to different colors, people will respond differently when exposed to different varieties. Their behaviors and ways of dressing will also imply a certain meaning (Feisner, 2000). The combination of these colors in the interior of the building is closely related to the meaning. For instance, as one of the 5 star hotels in Ireland, ‘g’ hotel has to have certain standards. It is associated with some level of sophistication that clients or customers expect; therefore, use of colors such as deep violet to demonstrate this status just serves the intended purpose. Therefore, any customers that visit the hotel will have that feeling of class and prestige. This is also one of the aspects of how color is used in the pieces of art to convey certain messages and create certain impressions to the customers.
The interior has also some visible patches of red, a combination that creates harmony of color appealing to the eye. It also engages the customers and creates a sense of balance and order to an observer (Burchett, 2002). Because of harmony, the interiors are not boring because the brains of an individual are able to organize the combination and reach an understanding (Hard & Sivik, 2001). In using colors, it is not also appropriate to have extreme unity as they hamper stimulation of the mind. Likewise, extreme complexity in use of color causes over-stimulation hence the need for color harmony, which creates equilibrium.
Application of color is, therefore, one of the important aspects in any piece of art. Many different colors mean different things to different people in different situations or contexts. Using or choosing appropriate colors is important in ensuring that the right message is conveyed to the audience. Color harmony is very important as it allows the artist to balance them and achieve order and logic making their interpretation easy as well as creating appeal among the audience. In this case, ‘g’ 5 star hotel in Ireland is a good example of how colors can be used to convey a certain meaning and to appeal to the customers. This illustration is a clear indication of how colors can be of great use in arousing people emotions and attracting their attention.
References
Bellizzi, A., Crowley, E., & Hasty, W. (1983). The effects of color in store design. Journal of Retailing 59 (1): 21–45.
Burchett, K. E. (2002). Color harmony. Color Research and Application, 27 (1): 28-31.
Hard, A. & Sivik, L. (2001). A theory of colors in combination – A descriptive model related to the NCS color-order system, Color Research and Application, 26 (1): 4-28.
Feisner, E. (2000). Color: How to use color in art and design. London: Laurence King.
DesignMind. (2013). Colour me famous! Design and architecture renown for being colorful. Retrieved from: http://network.designmind.co.za/profiles/blogs/colour-me-famous- design-and
O’Connor, Z. (2010). Color harmony revisited, Color Research and Application, 35 (4):267-273.
Whitfield, W., & Whiltshire, J. (1990). Color psychology: A critical review, Genetic, Social, General Psychology Monographs, 116(4): 1-13.
