Topic: Exploring Color
UPDATE: Mustafa Razzak-Khayat has graciously given permission for his assignment to be posted as a class example. Parts of this are a little rough, but overall this is a solid "A" assignment.
GOAL: Examine and explore color, including its emotional and symbolic impact.
CAUTION: This paper must be written in your own words.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Students will visit a local Target store. (Wal-Mart and KMart are not acceptable substitutes -- the stores just aren't as design-savvy as Target.)
- Pick any three well-designed objects at Target.
- Write a few sentences describing the colors used in the objects. To help you remember the scheme more vividly, it's a good idea to use fancy, descriptive Crayon-ish color names like "brick red" or "robin's egg blue" or "grey sky before a storm." Do this part in the store while examining the objects.
- At home, use markers, colored pencils, paint, or a graphics program to make a sketch of the objects, re-creating the color scheme in the process. Remember, THREE sketches, one of each object.
- If you can, identify the color scheme used. Is it triadic? Monochromatic?
- Tell why you think the colors were used. Consider the emotional context (calming, energizing, flashy, soft) and the symbolic context (red for Valentine's & stop, blue for baby boys, orange and black spots for leopard skin).
- Write a description of the object. Talk about what kind of person would own the object -- how old is the person? What are the person's hobbies and tastes? Which famous people do you think would own this object? Be imaginative and creative.
- Write about where the object would be found. In a home? An office? Is it a Martha-Stewart style home, or something more like what Ally McBeal would live in? Or something from That 70s Show? Be descriptive and imaginative.
- Lastly, choose ONE object. Make a rough sketch of a home page for the person who might own the object using the object's color scheme.
- Visit http://www.wire-man.com/paletteman/ and find the hexidecimal color equivelents for the colors in the object.
NOTE TO ONLINE STUDENTS:
Most of you will probably fax your assignment. In this case your DESCRIPTIONS will matter more than your coloring and painting ability. Please be creative and descriptive. The fax number for Shelton is 972.237.2947.