Challenge 11- Color Scheme of Product Packaging

The Quilters Studio – Art Quilt Challenge 2^nd Saturday of month 10:30 am

Challenge #11 PRODUCT PACKAGING/PRACTICE CRITIQUE September 11^th /due October 9th

Color Scheme: Product Packaging

Theme: Inspired by thought or feeling evoked

For this challenge we will use the color scheme from a product package. Choose a feeling or thought or word(s) that comes to you when you see your product package (like luscious, crisp & clean, fun, natural, contentment, etc). Use that feeling, thought or word(s) and the color scheme as inspiration for your art quilt.

· Look in your pantry or the grocery store for something that appeals to you . A cereal box is a great place to start if you are stuck. Note: it doesn’t have to be food packaging.

· The question we will answer in this exercise is the ‘why’ of certain colors, and the ‘amount’ of certain colors in product packaging

· Please bring your chosen package or a picture along with your piece for show and tell next time.

· Tell us a bit about why the colors attract the viewer and how it evokes different moods.

The Psychology of Color

· Black -color of authority and power, stability and strength.

· White -associated with purity, cleanliness, safety and neutrality.

· Gray -practical, timeless, middle-of-the-road, solid things in life

· Red - color of energy, excitement and life. Subset is Pink - the color of romance, love, and gentle feelings.

· Blue-associated with calmness steadfastness, dependability, wisdom and loyalty

· Green -color of growth, nature, money, envy, good luck, generosity, fertility, peace and harmony

· Yellow- cheerful, optimistic; associated with laughter, happiness and good times.

· Orange -fun times, happy and energetic days, warmth, ambition.

· Purple- prosperity, rich sophistication, mystery, wisdom, and respect.

· Brown - reliability, stability, and friendship

References: Listed below are some websites that give information on why certain color schemes are used in packaging.

· How color affects us http://www.colormatters.com/color_trademark.html

· Psychology of Color; Color Psychology and Marketing http://www.precisionintermedia.com/color.html

· How do colors effect our mood http://iit.bloomu.edu/vthc/design/psychology.html

• General Requirement of colors that sell http://tinyurl.com/yefzac4

· See paragraph on how cereal popularity depends on color. http://tinyurl.com/y9ez9bc

Homework: Critique – Practice…make a comment on the blog for a few pieces

· State the strengths or what you like about it and why

· Explain what the piece communicates to you

· Give a “what if” statement (what if you had stronger value contrast in your focal point?)

· What has been done well - select a few of the best things and say why you think they work.

· What could be improved –select areas where the biggest improvements could be made and why

• Critique in a positive, non-judgmental spirit Try to be as objective as possible and set aside your own taste in art

Some references for critiquing:

· http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/509/168/

· http://www.fiberarts.com/article_archive/howto/critiques/critique-maintain.asp