Need a new source of inspiration for color scheme development? There are a number of different options beyond the color strategies found in traditional color theory and this approach uses music as a source of inspiration.
Research has indicated that music alters mood and in turn, visual perception. The approach detailed below suggests that we can use music in tandem with our imaginative processes to explore color responses and in doing so, develop color palettes.
Specifically, a recent study found that visual perception is a top-down process and our mood, manipulated by music, may directly alter the way we perceive the world. Researchers suggest that visual perception is not a passive process and both memory and expectations influence visual processing. An empirical study found that mood, manipulated by music preferences and aversions (that is, participant-categorised “happy” and “sad” music) had the capacity to bias processing of sensory input (Jolij & Meurs, 2011).
Taking our cue from this paper, mood manipulated by music preferences may in turn have the capacity to conjure mental impressions and imagery in our imaginations. These cognitive processes are different from synesthesia, a condition that less than 1.5% of the population has whereby a sense impression relating to one part of the body such as visual perception, leads to involuntary sense impressions in other part of the body such as hearing or taste, or other cognitive pathways such as language. While very few people have synesthesis, we all conjure mental impressions, imagery and creative visualizations prompted by a range of reasons.
This method for color scheme development was inspired by Greg Clayton (Harding University) and aims to translate music into imagery which then serves to inspire a color scheme.
A) Find a piece of music that moves you - Explore pieces of music that you love and frequently listen to, especially pieces of music that do not reply on lyrics for their impact. Select one piece of music for this color scheme development exercise.
B) Take time to listen to your music - Listen without distractions and listen repeatedly, preferably with headphones or in a dark room. Let your imagination roam and identify what colors and forms you “see”.
C) Open your sketchbook and respond - Have some colored pencils or other media on hand. Alternatively, find an image/images that reflect the emotions you feel while listening to the piece of music.
D) Develop your color response - Refine your sketches, colors and imagery. Use your knowledge of color to explore variations and alternatives in hue, saturation and tonal value. Play with juxtapositions - explore how combinations of color side-by-side alter mood. Play with varied proportions - explore how small vs. large masses of color change effect.
E) Create a color scheme based on your sketch/image - Using an app or program like Canva, create a color scheme palette inspired by your sketch/image.
This approach to color scheme development is an alternative to color strategies found in traditional color theory and color scheme development options inspired by art, applied design, and nature.
Color scheme development using manually-based media or digital technology brings many benefits for those involved with color application in applied design and design of the built environment.
- Refine ability to distinguish subtle hue variations.
- Become visually familiar with the intrinsic tonal value of each hue.
- Become familiar with the intrinsic saturation level of each hue.
- Refine ability to identify and distinguish variations in contrast.
- Become familiar with the impact that subtle changes in hue, tonal value, and saturation level have on color schemes.
- Refine ability to predict the outcome of subtle changes in color combinations across different colorways.
References
Carmichael, D.A., Down, M.P., Shillcock, R.C., Eagleman, D.M., & Simner. J. (2015). Validating a standardised test battery for synesthesia: Does the Synesthesia Battery reliably detect synesthesia? Consciousness & Cognition, (33), pp375-85. doi: 10.1016/j.concog.2015.02.001
Jolij, J, & Meurs, M. (2011). Music alters visual perception. PLoS One, 6(4), 1-4.
Pearson, D. G. (2007). 'Mental Imagery and Creative Thought', in Ilona Roth (ed.), Imaginative Minds, The British Academy. https://doi.org/10.5871/bacad/9780197264195.003.0009
Pearson, D.G., Deeprose, C., Wallace-Hadrill, S.M., Burnett Heyes, S. & Holmes, E.A. (2013). Assessing mental imagery in clinical psychology: a review of imagery measures and a guiding framework. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(1), pp1-23. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2012.09.001.
About the author - Dr Zena O’Connor established Design Research Associates in 2006 and has focussed on evidence-based color strategies, insight, and recommendations for applied design and the built environment. Zena has completed numerous color design projects across commercial, residential and the healthcare and aged care sectors. A designer by training, Zena’s PhD research investigated color in the built environment (Faculty of Architecture, Design & Planning, University of Sydney). She has developed and taught university courses (Sydney University, University of NSW and Sydney Design School) and published 70+ peer-reviewed academic articles on color in applied design and the built environment. https://zenaoconnor.com