Presentation Example: Value and Contrast in Interior Design

The concept of design is based on different principles that differentiate between a captivating and poor design. These values are connected to each other and appear in all great designs. The main principles include balance, contrast, alignment, proximity, and repetition. Including this principle in interior design is paramount for the formation of a visually appealing design. The principle of contrast is seen as really important in any interior design project (Color, Value, and Hue, 19).

Contrast is described as the process of adding two or more significantly different elements next to each other (rough vs. smooth texture, small versus large shapes, and dark versus light colors). These elements juxtapose each other leading to more their presence in the space having more impact and emphasis. Contrast aims to create a greater impact and hence highlight importance. It also makes the space more exciting and visually dynamic and interesting. One visual object doesnt bring out the great impact in design, but rather the surrounding elements give it a greater meaning (Andreea, 16). It can connect elements, push them away or complement them through provoking our visual senses.

The contrast of hue refers to using different colors in a design. Hue is the color itself. The color chart is made up of three channels, red-green, black white and yellow-blue. Between each channel is a phenomenon called simultaneous contrast which leads to the distortion of a specific color and hence an increased difference between the surrounding and the color. When it occurs in the black and white channel, it is usually called darkness and lightness while it is called chromatic contrast if it occurs between the outer channels. In the color wheel, the further apart the colors, the greater the contrast. When the colors are directly opposite each other, they are called complementary colors. Example purple and yellow. This type of contrast makes the opposite colors pop and hence appear more vibrant and make the look seem brighter.

Value is known as the darkness or lightness of a color. This is seen on a value scale for colors. The end colors of the value scale can be used together to create a high contrast of value. White is added to a pure hue to create a lighter value, and black is added to create a darker value. While most time the contrast of value uses the same color, different colors can be used to create the same effect. An interior designer can use a light pink color with dark blue to create contrast. Use of black and white in a room is seen as the most extreme case of contrast of vale as white is the lightest color while black is the darkest.

Colors have different strength based on their saturation. The amount of saturation of a color is determined using a Chroma scale. Unlike the contrast of value where black and white are added to the pure hue, in contrast of extent, grey is added to the pure hue. A saturated color has less grey, and this makes it have more strength in the space it holds. The use of saturated color and one that is less saturated creates a balance in the room (Imogen, 2017).

The use of warm and cool colors together is called contrast of temperature. This type of contrast is unique in that, to create a balance, it is necessary that the designer uses colors that are on the same value scale. i.e., if I decide to use blue and pink, it would be appropriate to use either dark pink or dark blue or light pink and light blue, rather than using dark blue and light pink. This ensures that all the colors maintain their brilliance. While the two colors used are strong and bod on their own, these contrast through the use of colors in similar Chroma and value scale, there is a balance (Lundgren, 33).

In some cases the designer uses only on hue, this is called contrast of saturation. Value is an element of design that is relative to a particular factor. When there is color, black may have a value of one percent while white may have a value of a hundred percent. The value which is sometimes referred to as the tone of a particular design is very important. Value is an element that is mostly related to color. Not every design can have color, but every single design has value. Value is termed as the relative darkness or lightness of a particular object within a design. Most people mistake value by associating it with the price of a particular object. The aspect of relativity gives value another feature. The aspect of relativity is also important because it puts an object side by side with other objects and with the background. When the difference between the object and the background is too high then the great the contrast (Lundgren, 59). The element of value is very important for design. This is because it helps in the establishment of the feel and the look of the design. The aspect of value can also help in establishing the importance of the element of color. For any design color is important. However, for the design to be effective, it has to be appealing even when there is no color. Value of design comes in when it is capable of being strong even when using a single color. Value, therefore, occurs within any design. Effective use of value can allow it to establish contrast. A well-established value can also enhance the use of color within a design (Adding Contrast to your Space, 9).

The concept of contrasts is also very important. It occurs in design when two or more elements are different from one another. The eyes like contrast because it places objects side by side making it easier for the eye to differentiate. Contrasts are also important because it helps strengthen the design. In contrast, to being used effectively within a design, the objects and elements need to be completely different from one another. Contrast helps grab the attention of a person viewing the design. The differences that exist within are easily recognizable because of the establishment of an aspect of conflict of the elements. Such a conflict attracts the eyes and enhances the design. A well-established contrast within a design is influential of the overall quality. Contrast is also important because it helps organize information. With contrast, elements and objects in design become much clearer. Contrast is also important because it helps the design create the sense of focus. Contras can be used to focus on a particular object or element within a design. The use of bright colors the adding an object with a dull color can enhance focus on it. The object will be more visible than the others, and people will, therefore, pay more attention to it (Farley, 22).

Contrast and tone; value are very important aspects of design. They are elements which are added to design to make it more appealing. Value is associated with differences in the lightness and darkness of objects within a design. Value comes first and then followed by color. Value is also linked with contrast because low contrast means that an object will be difficult to perceive. Value contrast is, therefore, an aspect associated with the combination of both value and contrast. A design needs to have effective utilization of tone and the objects have to have contrasts to ensure that they are distinct from each other. The expression of value is usually done through the use of grayscale. Grayscale is a chart of black and white and everything between them. Value and color are also related to one another. The perception of value within color is very important to ensure that different colors can be identified separately. Every color has value, and each color can have different values between zero percent to a hundred percent. Contrast and value work together because light and darkness are very opposite from one another. Playing around with value and contrast can help create the aspect of space within a design. Value and contrast help in the creation of focal points which are entry points of every single object within a design. They are also important for the separation of figures form the background. A good example is when a light object is placed within a dark background. In this case, separation is created. Value and contrast also help in the creation of mood which is done through the manipulation of dark and light elements (Farley, 29).

Works Cited

Color, Value, and Hue, char.txa.cornell.edu/language/element/color/color.htm.

TheVirtualInstructor Blog, 27 May 2014, thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/pushing-contrast-in-value.

Adding Contrast to your Space. KAART CreativesArt Classes in Lakeshore, Windsor, Tecumseh, Belle River ON, 7 July 2016, www.kelseyauger.com/blog//adding-contrast-to-your-space.

Back to Basics: The Importance of Contrast in Interior Design. Freshome.com, 27 July 2017, freshome.com/importance-of-contrast/.

Contrast in Art - The Value Factor. The contrast in Art-The Value Factor, thevirtualinstructor.com/contrast-in-art.html.

Farley, Jennifer. Principles of Design: Value SitePoint. SitePoint, SitePoint, 9 Dec. 2009, www.sitepoint.com/principles-of-design-value/.

Farley, Jennifer. Principles Of Design: Contrast SitePoint. SitePoint, SitePoint, 24 Oct. 2013, www.sitepoint.com/principles-of-design-contrast/.

Andreea, Key Elements And Principles Of Interior Design. Impressive Interior Design, 1 Aug. 2015, www.impressiveinteriordesign.com/key-elements-principles-of-interior-design/.

Lundgren, Alvalyn. Fundamentals of Value Contrast. Alvalyn Creative, 9 Jan. 2018, alvalyn.com/fundamentals-of-value-contrast/.

Imogen. What is my Value Contrast? Inside Out Style, 16 Aug. 2017, insideoutstyleblog.com/2009/02/what-is-my-value-contrast.html.