Module Overview - Color Theory

General Module Objectives: After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Understand the basic principles of color theory and color formation;
• Apply visual perception theory to practical mapping situations;
• Identify colors on various color modeling systems;
• Create colors using these color modeling systems;
• Understand the differences between flat vs process color mixing and printing;
• Apply color theory to mapping of qualitative and quantitative data.

• Electromagnetic Spectrum
• The Eye
• Visual Acuity
• Perceptual Aspects of Color
• Additive and Subtractive Primary Colors
• Color Dimensions: Hue, Value, Chroma
• Color Mixing
• CIE Color Model System
• Munsell Color System
• Pantone
• CMYK Color Charts
• RGB Color System
• Flat Color Printing
• Process Color Printing
• Qualitative Color
• Quantitative Color

• Textbooks:

a. Robinson, A., J. Morrison, P. Muehrcke, J. Kimmerling, S. Guptil: Elements of Cartography, Sixth Edition, John Wiley and Sons, 1995 (Required);
b. Dent, B.: Cartography, Thematic Map Design, Fourth Edition, Wm. C. Brown Publishers, Dubuque, IA, 1996 (Recommended).
• Module notes on Introduction to Color Theory;
• A  CMYK Color Chart;
• San Diego Supercomputing CentersInteractive Color module for the Macintosh (if Macintosh is available)
• Two-three hours on-line for interactive exercises;
• Possibly two-three hours on-line to view and discuss linked color-related sites  (see also Time Requirements).

The primary activities in this module including reading, review, and guided discussion of on and off-line materials, color demonstrations, viewing of on-line color materials, in-class and on-line color selection, evaluation and modification, plus answering questions and applying color as specified within the exercises.

Time Requirements:

The module consists of 4 lessons, each with a related exercise. The information within each lesson could be read within an hour, although students may take longer when linking to other sites. The instructor will need a 50 minute lecture period to cover each lesson and to reinforce the theoretical concepts with practical examples of color use in cartography. Each exercise consists a series of questions that involve the selection, evaluation, or creation of color for purposes related to the relevant lesson topic.   Because the questions require careful review of on and off-line materials, and sometimes descriptive written answers, the instructor should have students work on each exercise over a 2-hour lab period. Since much of the work must be done on-line, students will need access to appropriate computer facilities outside of class time. An approximate breakdown of time required per section for the exercise and related readings is as follows:

• Exercise One: One hour and 30 minutes
• Exercise Two: Two hours and 30 minutes
• Exercise Three: One hour and 30 minutes
• Exercise Four: Two hours and 30 minutes

Difficulty:

This module is intended for intermediate to advanced level cartography courses. Students generally range from sophomores to graduate level, with introductory cartographic background.

The students will most likely need the instructor to provide a thorough review of color theory, preferably with demonstrations (e.g., practical mapping examples, color charts, computer color creation) prior to attempting the exercises. Simply reading the background information in this module will probably not be sufficient, as students tend to have a hard time conceptualizing color theory, especially the physical properties, color modelling systems, and color for production and printing.

Students will, of course, need to be comfortable with Netscape. Note that GIS and Remote Sensing students may find the module useful as well for understanding color and applying it to map design or image enhancement, but will need guidance if they have not taken a serious interest in cartography.

Return to: General Module Objectivesabove

On to Unit One: Introduction to Color Theory

Created 2/20/98 by Laurie A. B. Garo. Last updated 5/21/99 by lg. The URL for this page is http://www.uncc.edu/lagaro/cwg/color/mod_overview.html