Informative ornament: ‘The machine’ : enhancing the communicative potential of colour : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Design in Illustration at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
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Date
2009
DOI
Open Access Location
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Massey University
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The Author
Abstract
Both empirical and anecdotal
evidence indicates that visual
communication1 design practices
implemented by designers with full
colour vision often disadvantage, and
sometimes endanger, colour-blind
people.
The thesis The Machine postulates
that colour-blind people – comprising
approximately 8% of males and 0.5%
of females (Lewis et al., 1990) – are
marginalized by such practices. It
argues that this group could benefit
from a design strategy that enhances
the communicative potential and
visibility of colour.
The proposed strategy involves
embedding pattern into potentially
confusing colours such as red and green.
The embedded pattern would function
for colour-blind people as an additional
clue to the identity of these colours.
The thesis contends that while
colour alone can be confusing for
colour-blind people, patterned colour
could offer a solution with a wide
range of possible applications.
The research aims of The Machine
include: developing a system of
patterned colour; creating a wordless
picture book that demonstrates
the effectiveness of the system;
constructing a narrative around
the condition of red-green colourblindness;
and employing visual
rhetoric2 to increase awareness of and
sensitivity to colour-blindness among
those with full colour vision.
The design of the thesis is
supported by research in a number
of interrelated areas. These include
the history of pattern post-1850,
particularly in Western culture;
precedents for patterned colour; and
visual rhetoric in story-telling. The
research also incorporates an analysis
of the defining characteristics of
ten late twentieth-century and early
twenty-first-century wordless picture
books. The thesis is further supported
by applied research into patterned
colour and visual rhetoric.
The Machine aims to benefit
colour-blind people, a significant
minority group whose visual needs
are currently inadequately met. In
addition, it proposes broadening
the cultural role and significance of
pattern. Moreover, by incorporating
informative elements usually
associated with pedagogic material, it
aspires to extend the boundaries of the
fantasy picture book genre.
1 Visual
communication
(n): communication
that relies
on vision
(Wordnet, 2006).
2 Visual rhetoric:
the use of visual
techniques, such
as the creation of
visually ‘engaging’
characters,
as a means of
persuading a
target audience
Description
Accompanying workbook not available in digital format
Keywords
Illustration, Colour-blind, Visual communication design, Patterned colour, Picture books, Fantasy