ID107
Colour Theory

Faculty
Fabienne Plangger
Art Direction & Graphic Designer
Course length
Duration
Total hours
Credits
Language
Course type
Fee for single course
Fee for degree students
Skills you’ll learn
Overview
Color theory is the study of color's principles and applications, including the science of how humans perceive color. It explores the psychological effects, its historical significance in art, and its practical use in design. Color theory helps artists and designers figure out how colors work together to achieve color harmony. It helps creatives choose a color palette that stirs up emotions, leaving a lasting impact on audiences.
Learning highlights
- Providing students with a comprehensive understanding of color's influence in our daily life and design. Combining lectures, hands-on activities, and projects, students will explore color theory, including the science, psychology, and application of color in art, design, and marketing.
Course outline
15 classes
Session 1
Snow Summit
Introduction to Color Theory
Topics: Overview of the course, importance of color theory, basic definitions + final project “word” finding by ice-breaking activity.
Assignment: Color of the Day.
The Color Wheel
Topics: Primary, secondary, and tertiary colors; creating a color wheel.
Assignment: Create a digital color wheel using with Adobe Illustrator.
Color Properties & Modes
Topics: Properties & Modes RGB & HEX vs. CMYK & Pantone
Assignment: Use of color modes in Adobe & Figma.
Synesthesia
Topics: What is Synesthesia?
Assignment: Create a colored alphabet.
The Relativity of Colour
Topic: The Relativity of Color by Josef Albers.
Assignment: Testing from Josef Albers Book.
Color Perception and Psychology
Topics: The perception of color and it’s psychological effect Psychological effect.
Assignment: Mandala drawing (Jung).
Color in Art History
Topics: RGB vs. CMYK, HEX & Pantone.
Assignment: 1min. presentation about the use of color by your fav. artist.
Final Project Day (Half time)
Let’s go over your work Feedback & hands on in class.
Color Experiments
Topic: Analogue experiments with colors Transforming into digital.
Assignment: Experiment with colors and digitalize your work.
Color Theory by Wassily Kandinsky
Topics: Wassily Kandinsky and his understanding of colour.
Assignment: Create colour combinations.
Color in Branding & Marketing
Topics: Role of color in marketing, color in branding strategies.
Assignment: Develop a color strategy for a fictional brand.
Color in Art, Film and Photography
Topics: Use of color in storytelling, color grading in film.
Assignment: Create a photo series focusing on a specific color theme.
Final Project Work Day
Activities: In-class work on final projects, open for questions.
Assignment: Continue working on the final project; prepare for presentation.
Final Presentations and Course Wrap-up
Activities: Presentation of final projects.
Course materials
Books
Methodology
Lectures, projects, exercises, presentations, individual/group work.
Grading
Fabienne is an Austrian-born freelance graphic designer who has called Barcelona home for nearly a decade. She studied graphic design and photography under Tina Frank at the University of Art and Design in Linz, Austria. After completing her studies, she interned at twopoints.net and later worked with DDB Barcelona and Hey Studio. Currently, Fabienne balances her role as a part-time art director at an agency in Berlin with brand identity projects for clients around the globe. Her work is vibrant and colorful, with a passion for analogue experiments.
See full profileApply for this course
Colour Theory
by Fabienne Plangger
Total hours
42 Hours
Dates
Feb 04 - Feb 21, 2025
Fee for single course
€1500
Fee for degree students
€750
How to secure your spot
Complete the form below to kickstart your application
Schedule your Harbour.Space interview
If successful, get ready to join us on campus
FAQ
Will I receive a certificate after completion?
Yes. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate signed by the director of the program your course belonged to.
Do I need a visa?
This depends on your case. Please check with the Spanish or Thai consulate in your country of residence about visa requirements. We will do our part to provide you with the necessary documents, such as the Certificate of Enrollment.
Can I get a discount?
Yes. The easiest way to enroll in a course at a discounted price is to register for multiple courses. Registering for multiple courses will reduce the cost per individual course. Please ask the Admissions Office for more information about the other kinds of discounts we offer and what you can do to receive one.



