12/27/2024 9:37:10 AM	GD 62 Course Outline as of Spring 2021	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  GD 62	Title:  COLOR THEORY
Full Title:  Color Theory for Designers
Last Reviewed:9/24/2018

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	1.50	Lecture Scheduled	1.50		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	26.25
Minimum	1.50	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	1.50			Contact Total	26.25
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  52.50

Total Student Learning Hours: 78.75

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

A study of the principles, theories, and applications of additive and subtractive color in two dimensions. Topics will include major historical and contemporary color systems, production of projects in applied color, and the elements of design as they apply to color. This course will also work with color in the context of industry standard computer software, such as: Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

A study of the principles, theories, and applications of additive and subtractive color in two dimensions. Topics will include major historical and contemporary color systems, production of projects in applied color, and the elements of design as they apply to color. This course will also work with color in the context of industry standard computer software, such as: Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2019	Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.  Effectively select and pair colors within a design that work in harmony with the desired

    communication goals.

2.  Identify and create color schemes and harmonies, with an awareness of color interactions.

3.  Effectively work with color management tools and color systems in Adobe Illustrator,

    Photoshop and InDesign.

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Identify the fundamental color schemes.

2. Create aesthetically complete designs and images that demonstrate a working knowledge of:

    a. Color systems and color organization

    b. Principles of color perception - light, vision, and the brain

    c. Value, hue, intensity (chroma), and color temperature

    d. Additive and subtractive color (digital color vs analog)

    e. Relationships between color and composition

    f. Color usage in contemporary art and design

3. Make individual aesthetic decisions and judgments related to their own artwork.

4. Skillfully use a variety of materials, techniques and tools.

5. Independently produce finished color assignments that demonstrate an understanding of color

    theory and principles in the history of art.

6. Proof color to achieve desired communication goals.

7. Comprehend and describe how color is perceived biologically, psychologically, culturally,

    symbolically and intuitively.

8. Work effectively with digital color tools found Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign.

Topics and Scope

I.   History of Color and the Development of the Color Palette

II.  How Color is Perceived - Light, Vision, and the Brain

III. Color Systems and Color Organization

    A. Value

    B. Hue

    C. Intensity

    D. Additive and subtractive color

    E. Primary colors

    F. Secondary colors

    G. Tertiary colors

    H. Analogous

     I. Complimentary

    J. Split complimentary

    K. Monotone

    L. Color temperature

IV. Colors, Palettes and Materials

    A. Paints (oil and water-based)

    B. Color-aid

    C. Color pencils

    D. Digital screen

V. Color and Composition

    A. Harmony

    B. Interaction

         1. Color effects on each other

         2. Overlapping transparency

    C. Contrast

    D. Audience

    E. Pairing colors

    F. Identifying and understanding color mixtures

VI. Selection

    A. Color and mood

    B. Cultural influences on color usage

    C. Color appropriateness

    D. Color psychology

    E. Spot colors: Global vs non-global

    F. Pantone and other color systems

VII. Color and Technology

    A. Screen vs print (RGB vs CMYK)

    B. Adobe Photoshop

    C. Adobe Illustrator

    D. Adobe InDesign

VIII. Color Management Systems

    A. Digital color vs analog color

    B. Adobe Kuler (Capture)

    C. Libraries

IX. Color usage in Contemporary Art and Design

X.  Printing needs

    A. Proofing colors

    B. Paper and color

    C. Inkjet vs Laser

    D. Screen printing and other printmaking processes

XI. Critical Evaluation and Critique of Class Projects

Assignments:

1. Weekly reading assignments (1 - 50 pages)

2. Quizzes or exams (1 - 8)

3. Skill demonstrating exercises done in class (1 - 8), such as:

    a. Exercises expanding on content

    b. Create a color using color swatches pulled from the world around us

    c. Color matching: Using primary paint colors to create color matches to swatches

    d. Using prisms to create rainbows

4. Problem solving color assignments (1 - 4), such as:

    a. An assignment that requires color matching across multiple media. Could include creating a

         25 color, color wheel and reproducing it in multiple mediums (digital, color aid swatches,

         environmental swatches, paints, photographs)

    b. An assignment that works with multiple target audiences. Must make the best color choice

         for the target audience and explain their choice in writing

    c. An assignment created using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and/or InDesign, that ends as a

         printed piece, making apparent the difference between a printed design's end result and the

         design's appearance on the screen. As well as, how to best resolve color shifts

    d. Identify poor color selections and pairing, then replace them with better solutions

    e. Assignments in which a variety of color systems and application techniques, appropriate to

         a variety of art historical movements and styles, are used to create creative compositions

         and finished works

    f. Basic design assignment that utilize of the principles of color theory requiring a

         demonstration of knowledge and skill

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 0 - 0%
None
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because problem solving assessments and skill demonstrations are more appropriate for this course.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 20 - 60%
Color Assignments
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 10 - 40%
In-class exercises
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 10 - 40%
Quizzes or examinations
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 5 - 20%
Attendance and participation (critiques, presentations, in-class discussions)

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Instructor prepared materials

 

Foundations of Color. Davis, Jeff. Tempe Digital. 2015

 

Color for Designers: Ninety-five things you need to know when choosing and using colors for layouts and illustrations (Creative Core). Krause, Jim. New Riders. 2014 (classic)

Print PDF