Concrete objects are objects perceived within defined lines. These lines are what ultimately define the shape or form, and can be called contour lines. The form of a surface can be defined by its contours, which can be straight or curved. A form is a very loose statement- it can be found in so many different ways. An example of form is geometric forms, which hence the name, come from mathematical facts about points, lines, surfaces, and solids. We also can find organic forms, which are often seen in shapes that can’t really be described as “perfect” or exact. These organic forms are created by living organisms and are based on living organisms. Random forms are also very straightforward because of their name. They are “random”, often very abstract, and we gain influence on these objects from things we see in nature. The size of a concrete objects is always relative to the perspective of the viewer. What I consider “large” would be different to what an insect would view as “large”. The size of an object needs to be examined in relation to its placement and how it will function as an object. Color as a definition, is simply different wavelengths of light. When we see an object as red, the object and the materials of which it is made of reflect the entirety of the light spectrum except red, so therefore it appears as if it is red. Concrete structures are also important, as a structure is defined as concrete when the structure lines are visible or actively influence the form of the objects within the structure. Examples of concrete structures are visible structures, where the structure lines in the object are clearly visible. Active structures are when the structure lines influence the form in the object, but may not necessarily be visible. Finally, we see texture, where a structure can be seen or felt. The texture can include structure lines, and can have different ornamentation, random, or mechanical design. We see lots of examples of abstract structures in texture, such as formal, spiral, or gradation.
Color in concrete objects has many different properties, including hue, tone, and saturation. Hue is usually one property of three when it is used to determine a certain color. Hue defines pure color in terms of what we would think of as ROYGBIV, or basic colors we learn the names of as children. Tone is softer than the original color, and can be defined as a result of mixing a pure color with any neutral or gray scale color including black and white. Saturation is a term very commonly used by designers and photographers. It defines a range from pure color to gray at a constant lightness level. It is really obvious when a photo or image is over saturated, as the colors are way too rich and tend to become very bright.
This photo of central park is clearly way over saturated and over processed all together. The color intensity is bumped way up, creating a loss of detail in certain areas, making it not look natural.
Texture is defined as the surface characteristics of a material that can be experienced through the sense of touch or the illusion of touch. Texture is an important tool for designs to keep in their “back pocket” if you will. Although flat design is very popular right now, texture still has a huge place in design. It can be used to enhance the user experience by accenting an area so another area becomes more dominant, or it can give the illusion that it is on a different surface (like wood, sand, concrete, paper), even though the viewer is looking at an image on a computer screen. Texture can even be found in patterns, which can always add visual interest to you piece. When used tastefully and even in really small details, texture can enhance your image.
On this website we can see texture in the type and in the background on the wood paneling. For a website that clearly is selling spices, this added texture gives an old word feeling to the image. It looks rustic, homemade, and vintage, all while being on a computer screen.
For this brewing company, we see texture in the background of the image as well as in the type. The background clearly has a map or pattern of some sort and looks like it is on old paper. The type has very subtle texture, but this adds to the depth and overall vintage hand-brewed feel of the site.
I love the use of texture in this piece as the background for the site. The texture makes the background look like an old plastered side of a building or Mexican villa. Even the little texture on the type makes it look like it was hand painted a long time ago.
Sources:
http://www.workwithcolor.com/color-properties-definitions-0101.htm
http://www.educ.kent.edu/community/vlo/design/elements/texture/index.html
http://www.awwwards.com/brilliant-uses-of-texture-in-website-design-and-some-resources.html
Delving Into Design 