Colour Theory 5

Questions from the presentations and in general 

What is the perfect balance of colour ? ( contrast of extension )
How will light affect a print i.e. from the print room to the studio ?
Does artificial light effect colour ?
Do all the colours work together i.e. all the primaries, all secondaries, all tertiaries ? 

http://pinterest.com/pin/402438916672044407/

Does stock effect the colour of the print ? 

Do colours have an influential effect on peoples mood/ feelings ? 

http://infographicjournal.com/the-psychology-of-color/

http://pinterest.com/pin/402438916672044409/

Do tertiary colours have a complimentary colour ? 

Does contrast of extension apply for colours that aren't complimentary ?

Do colours have a character ?

Most common questions asked as a group 

1. When contrast of extension is balanced is it high, low or mid ? 
2. Does contrast of extension apply to colours that aren't complimentary ?
3. Do tertiary colours have complimentary colours ? 
4. How does natural/artificial light affect colour  ?
5. How does the chromatic value of white stock effect the colour of a print ?
6. Does tone effect the temperature of a colour ? 
7. Is it possible for a warm colour to be warm when it is desaturated ?
8. Can complimentary colours be balanced ? (contrast of extension)
9. How can simultaneous contrast be used in a specific context ? 
10. How do you make gold and silver ? 

We then swapped our questions with other groups and then picked a question to look further into ...

Why do people have a favourite colour ?

A student asked last week why we have favorite colors. Psychologists disagree. Some, like Anya Hurlbert and Yazhu Ling argue that color preference is biological. This explains why there are differences, for example, across sexes. Independent of culture, they contend, girls tend towards pinks and purples, red-based shades, whereas boys tend towards blue-based colors. Others like Ou, Luo, Woodcock, and Wright argue that colors are intertwined with emotions and that favorite colors come from emotional connections. Still others, likePalmer and Schloss, give a more evolutionary take claiming that certain colors are naturally associated with that which is healthful -- blues for sky and clean water, green for edible plants -- and those are frequently cited favorite colors; whereas other colors, like brown are associated with that which is harmful (feces, rotting food) and thereby we have developed a natural disinclination towards them. 
http://philosophersplayground.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/favortie-colors.html

The Meanings of Blue Blue is the favoritcolor of all people. It’s nature’s color for water and sky, but is rarely found in fruits and vegetables. Today, blue is embraced as the color of heaven and authority, denim jeans and corporate logos. 

• Blue is the #1 favorite color of all people.
• 53% of the flags in the world contain blue.
• Blue is the most commonly used color in corporate identity.
• A dark blue suit is professional business attire.
• Blue jeans are worn all over the world.
• Aristocracy is blue-blooded in all European languages.

http://colormatters.com/blue

According to researchers at the University of Cambridge, humans are not born with these color preferences.  In fact, in their study, male and female infants both preferred shades of red to shades of blue [source: Jadva et al].  Instead of being born to like girly colors or boyish colors, it seems more likely we become drawn to particular colors after becoming socialized. 

So if I like pink, does that mean anything?  Well, sort of.  According to a recent study, humans are drawn to colors that they associate with pleasant things [source: Lescroart].  For example, if my favorite books when I was little had pink covers, I probably associate the color pink with my loving memories of those books.  I may not be conscious of making that connection, but, for me, the color pink might stand out from other colors.  So, if there's a scientific reason that we have favorite colors, it may just be that a particular color makes us feel safe, pleasant or energized.

Paint experts and home decorators have long seen the effects certain colors have in the rooms of a house.  Because people can have vastly different associations with particular colors, there's no color that universally pleases, but color psychologists have noticed how different colors affect people.  Most people have a strong reaction to the color red.  Some associate the color with fire and passion, while others see red as representing danger.  The color blue, on the other hand, seems to have a calming effect on its viewers.  Home owners aren't the only people who consider this stuff.  The next time you walk in to a doctor's office, see what color the walls are and think about why someone chose for them to be that color.  The same goes for restaurants, schools, places of worship, and stores.  Take a look and think about the choice of color on the walls

http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/scientific-reason-favorite-color

Answer

There are clearly a variety of explanations as to why people have a favourite colour. It is apparent that girls appear to prefer pinks/reds and boys prefer blue. This could be biological, it could also be because that is the stereotype, it is unknown. Ultimately I think it could be due to your experiences growing up , your own personality and the way a colour may affect your mood. It is subjective and no answer is wrong or right. 

Other Notes

Printed materials 

• Optical (made up of different coloured dots) 
• Physical (made from flat colour)

The set up of the print is the cost 

4plates in the CMYK process, 4 separate costs

Flood colour= 1plate (less expensive)

Pantone

• 4 colour system = optical
• Formula colour = physical

however a four colour print CMYK, has more scope for colour

formula colour may not be available

Dot Pitch

a block colour has more dots that are closer together

tinted/ pale/ desaturated has less dots further apart

CMYK is optical 

Grey - better in grayscale as it would have one plate, in CMYK it may have all four which is a lot more expensive

Check this with the sliders on photoshop 

More complicated colours = more plates = more cost

colour libraries contain exact matches to printed pantone swatches.

7plates is about the max number you can have for a print , that includes spot colour and varnish.

when working with print, its better to work in a constant light that does not change.

different computers also provide different colour.

understanding colour therefore is important if not more than typography.