Class Reflection October 9, 2008

Although I had an appointment and unfortunately was not able to attend class, the girls’ summaries gave me a good idea of what was discussed.
I was very interested to hear about the healing properties of color, and the potential of designing an environment based upon these principals. As I mentioned after Vaike’s first lecture, I am interested by color’s ability to convey information and feelings without the use of words or symbols. When designing spaces, color presents the opportunity for the designer to utilize it to change the implications of the space.

The homework was assigned last time we saw Vaike, and reviewed last class was something I too really enjoyed doing. I found it fun to do because each color reminded me of different times throughout my, and specific objects or experiences that have come to represent to each of the colors. The many ways Colors are able to transverse language and cultures and their many uses and therapeutic properties only make them that much more important to incorporate into our designs.

Class Reflection: October 9th

This week's class was Vaike's second lecture. It was a follow up on her introduction to color in architecture from her previous lecture. We began the class by sharing our personal reactions to the colors she assigned us to meditate on. I was intrigued by how similar everyone felt from visualizing each color. People are obviously directed, albeit subconsciously by all the color we interact with. I find this fascinating, and the inclusion of color in Interior Design is part of my reason in choosing it as my focus.

It goes without saying that I found Vaike's color therapy spa inspiring. I share the passion she has for color, but also in helping people. I think it is becoming more and more evident in society today that alternative medicine has been underminded. Treatments like the one Vaike introduced us to are slowly being woven into the general fabric of healing and well being.

I plan to learn more on this topic in my career, and will incorporate it into my designs.

Reflections for October 9 Class

The insights about colour and their effects on people are an important tool to creating well designed interior spaces. Living in a climate such as Winnipeg where we have to spend so much of our time inside, we need to pay attention to every detail. Creating classrooms with soothing colours would help make a more relaxed learning atmosphere, perhaps lowering the amount of anxiety and stress caused by school. Making a space that people want to occupy is one way to increase productivity. The assignment Vaike assigned on colours helped me better understand how the built environment can affect my mood and thoughts, the only problem with generalizing the reactions of colours is not all of the reactions are universal. When I compared my answers with those of a colleague I found our reactions were completely opposite.

Class Reflection October 9

This class continued Vaike Ruus’ lecture on colour. The focus of this second installment was primarily on the healing potential of colour.

Vaike began by informing us that John Oates felt that light was an essential nutrient to our bodies, like that of any other vitamin, water, or air. I feel that this perspective is an interesting and accurate way to look at light and colour, and it is one I had not considered before. Throughout the lecture Vaike stressed the importance of light and colour to our well-being, and she also outlined the healing power of the two.

During the lecture, Vaike made us aware of Edwin Babbit, also known as the “colour prophet”, who wrote The Principles of Light and Colour. Babbit was instrumental in the filed of colour therapy where he advocated using colour to heal. In his practice he took his direction from the ancients, who understood the importance of light and colour to health. Babbitt used various techniques, including coloured water, to heal his patients from illnesses like tuberculosis and pneumonia.

Colour puncture is another technique that Vaike mentioned, which is similar to acupuncture, but which uses colour to heal illnesses like depression and diabetes. Vaike also touched on the chakras developed in ancient India, which give cues about the energy of the body. I was interested to hear Vaike speak about Babbit and colour puncture which I was not aware of, and also to have her include the Chakras of which I have some knowledge.

During the later part of this lecture, Vaike included a presentation of her own work. For her design of a spa environment, she used colour and colour therapy to inform the space. Here Vaike allowed colour to determine the esthetic of the built environment. Her knowledge of colour theory and healing were the foundation for her design.

Lastly, for this class we were to complete a homework assignment about our own reaction to colours. I felt that this was an important exercise because gave me information about how colours affect my inner state. In the future, I would like to remain conscious of this exercise, and to build on it, using elements of colour theory to inform my own designs. -Katie