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2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

DESN1632 Colour: Art and Science

10 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Professor Stephen Westland
Email: s.westland@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

Is colour an art or a science? This module explores the use of colour in art and the scientific principles that enable that use. The material spans the use of colour by artists through the ages, explanations of how natural colour phenomena (such as the rainbow) occur, and an introduction to how colour is perceived by the human brain. Colour exists only in the mind and if we wish to understand colour and use it effectively (for example, in design processes) then we must understand the colour formation process and the perceptual properties of colour.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students will have an appreciation of the use of colour in art and the scientific principles that underpin colour. They will have an understanding of the way in which colour has been used by different artists and the perceptual properties of colour that have been exploited by artists down the ages. The students will have a good understanding of the nature of colour and the relationship between the wavelength of light and colour. The importance of studying the human colour vision system for many areas of colour use (including the design process) will be made clear. Students will have an appreciation of the basic technology of some imaging devices, the use of RGB colour and the notion (uses and limitations) of a colour space.

Syllabus

A series of 9 lectures will explore the phenomenal experience of colour including: colour vision; colour communication, colour emotion; colour naming; colour psychology and colour technology. The central idea of the module is to highlight the colour as a property of our mental processes rather than as a property of the world. An understanding of the true nature of colour perception has profound implications for the effective use of colour in art and design.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	9	1.00	9.00
Seminar	2	1.00	2.00
Private study hours			89.00
Total Contact hours			11.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Reading for lectures: 9 x 2 hours;
Reading for seminars: 2 x 3 hours;
Preparation for essay: 39 hours;
Private study: 26 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

1 x 1000 word essay (week 6).

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2000 words	67.00
Essay	1000 words	33.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 12/09/2008

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