ColorAcademy 2005 - Aesthetics

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Chromatic Effects Zones

Colour Effect is not just another parameter like Hue, Tone (Lightness-Darkness), and Saturation (Colour-Fullness). It is a function of all three. It can be graded through each designer's own custom-built Colour-Solid, making zones, slices or arrows through it, like those of the painter, Paul Klee. Many of these colour sets will change in appearance with every new field contrast. However, in spite of all these shifting variables, it is possible to construct identifiable zones of : (1) Peak perceptual impact, (2) Strong obtrusiveness, (3) Moderate but unambiguous stimulus, and (4) Low perceptual arousal.

Zones of the Colour Solid

The shifting loci of these zones can be described as follows:

The STIMULANT ZONE, which includes the fullest and lightest hues around the crown of the colour solid, especially including the subtractive primaries.
The BOLD ZONE including the additive primaries at full hue and the heraldic colours, making a thick band around the equator of the colour solid.
The MODERATE ZONE, that is to say colours that are only moderately obtrusive, including the subtractive primaries at reduced colour fullness, and occupying an inner space between the shell and the core of the colour solid at the equator and reaching down towards the subdued and dark colours at the base.
An ovoid TRANQUILLANT ZONE of subdued hues at the core of the colour solid, colours that may be hardly more than subtly toned or tinted greys - radiating outwards from the centre of the colour solid.

The ZONES OF COLOUR EXPRESSION are powerful sources for the generation of continually changing sets of colour schemes. Each Zone or Mode of colour can be programmed on the computer, for example, to give precisely the appropriate colour impact capable of solving problems of appropriateness in colour specification, satisfying both gut feelings and the professional aspirations of the colourist.