2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

DESN1235 Colour Design and Application

20 creditsClass Size: 20

Module manager: Dr Phil Henry
Email: p.m.henry@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Colour is important to the decisions that consumers make about which products to buy. Almost everything that is designed and manufactured is coloured; but what is colour? Is it a physical property or does it exist only as a sensation? Is white a colour? This module will introduce the basic properties of colour and its representation and communication. The importance of colour in the design process will be explored through a study of colour reproduction in monitors and printers and a basic introduction will be given to colour measurement. This foundation knowledge delivered during the semester-1 lectures series will be contextualised and applied in second semester group projects, exploring colour and colour branding via case studies.

Objectives

The key module objectives are to enable students to critically understand successful colour combinations, apply a methodological approach to creating original colour palettes and to provide insight into the challenges relating to successfully communicate colour accurately in a digital environment. The module also aims to enable students to build on these fundamental abilities by applying the knowledge to an authentic design context that delivers both aesthetic qualities and technical understanding.

Learning outcomes
1. An understanding of the nature of colour and way in which colour is formed in the human brain.
2. An awareness of the technology of colour image reproduction and an understanding of how to use this technology in the design process
3. An appreciation of how colour is used in advertising and web-design, and how colour images are reproduced using printers and monitors.
4. An understanding of various methods of colour specification, and awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of each.
5. An ability to devise a strategic use of colour through individual analysis and problem solving.

Syllabus

The lecture content will introduce formal concepts of colour harmony theory, explain how these theories have evolved, and how they are aligned to a range of creative influences. Digital colour will be explored both in terms of design opportunities and the importance of understanding colour management and accurate colour communication. Seminars and group work will facilitate opportunities to develop a cross-disciplinary appreciation of colour design related problem solving.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	1	2.00	2.00
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Practical	4	2.00	8.00
Seminar	5	2.00	10.00
Private study hours			170.00
Total Contact hours			30.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The module is supported throughout via the VLE which contains weekly reading material, Lecture PowerPoints, and Web links case study examples where appropriate. This is in addition to a class blog which is used as a means of facilitating questions and answers regarding both taught material and any issues relating to the assessments. This resource allows all registered students to engage directly with the module leader outside of the taught sessions and all students to have access to the information that arises at their own convenience. A multiple-choice question format will be presented at an appropriate junction as a means of formative feedback for key issues and topics pertinent to the set essay and tutorials discussion to review progress in the group-work, feedback on formative project presentations and informally during the practical sessions.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	A 2000-25000 word report and colour palette	50.00
Reflective log	A 2000-2500 word reflective log	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

A resit alternative will take the form of an individual report.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 28/04/2023 14:38:37

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