• Creating a psychological effect

In view of these functions, certain guides need to be kept in mind

Colour contrasts

When planning contrasts, one must distinguish between colours of large areas like walls, furniture and so on and smaller areas such as knobs and handles.

Large areas and big objects should not be brightly coloured ? remember the glare factor ? as they fatigue the retina. Walls, alcoves, tabletops, etc., should, therefore, have matt surfaces and pastel colours.

Colours for various large areas should have similar coefficients of reflection ? that is, similar levels of brightness ? so that the eyes don’t get strained in dealing with differences in brightness, which simply means one can paint different rooms with different hues with similar brightness levels.

Locating objects

Locating and handling working materials is easier if well-defined colour contrasts are provided between the materials and their immediate surroundings, say, a study table or countertop.

Remember when providing contrasts, differences in brightness must be avoided. For example, when a component is made of wood, leather or similar material of an ochre or brown colour, the underlying surface could be dark ivory or light beige.

The kitchen countertop can well be dull brown or black granite to help locate equipment and supplies placed upon it.

Eye-catchers

Eye-catchers work by using strongly contrasting bright colours. Nature does the same: bright flowers among green leaves attract insects. On the other hand, nature also uses colours for camouflage: defenceless creatures in the wild are neutral in colour. This helps them merge with the background to escape notice of other animals.

Under certain circumstances, it is right to arrange for a few eye-catchers in conspicuous colours. For example, some of the important controls in the kitchen, in the heating appliances, or in the bathroom may be designed to stand out. When such eye-catchers are small ? not bigger than a few square centimetres ? they should contrast strongly with their surroundings not only in colour but in brightness, too. They then become conspicuous and are easier to locate.

But not too many

The greatest danger in the use of colour is excess. This is particularly true of conspicuous colours. Too many eye-catchers and different colours make a working-place distracting. Designing with colour does not mean gaudy design.

The demands of ergonomics call for greatest possible restraint in the use of colours, restricting them to three, or at most five, eye-catchers on any one piece of furniture/equipment. However, less restraint is necessary in window displays and stores because a potential client needs to be attracted.

Illusions

Individual colours have their particular effects, which differ considerably.

The most important concerns are illusions relating to distance, temperature and effects on the general mood.

Light colours

While it is generally true that all dark colours have a depressing effect, they also make it more difficult to keep places clean. All light colours make life easier, brighter and friendlier. They reflect more light, brighten the room and encourage cleanliness.

If the activities that go on in a room need a high degree of concentration, the colours should be restrained to avoid unnecessary distraction. Walls, ceilings and other structural features should be as light as possible with faint colours.

In all living rooms, the colours should above all give an impression of rest and recuperation. Yellow, red or blue walls are pleasing at first sight, but after a while become tiring to the eyes.

Strong colours

Strong colours can be used with advantage only in rooms that mainly have a transitory use, such as entrance halls, corridors and toilets. In such places, strong colours can be also used to compensate for architectural deficiencies.

The author is a senior faculty member at J.D. Birla Institute (Calcutta), where she has been delivering lectures, guiding research and conducting projects in housing and interior design for over 20 years. An interior design consultant, she specialises in ergonomics at home and work. She can be contacted at kusumsmail@yahoo.com