Looking for Hue

ColourfulLanguage

Eleanor Maclure 2012

MA GrAphic DesiGn

MAjor project VisuAl reseArch

Using Google Image Search to explore the visual relationships between colour terms

LookingforHue

lookinG for hue Visual Research Presentation

Introduction

We all use colour terms to describe things in everyday life, but how well do we use these terms? How consistent and precise are we when it comes to defining what is claret, wine, maroon or burgundy? Would we feel confident asserting that something was beige rather than taupe? Do we know the difference between lilac and lavender? Is there even a difference?


Building on the methods used to create ‘Searching for the Rainbow’, this project continues the process of using Google Image search as a tool to produce visual interpretations of colour terms.

I have extended the process by broadening the search to commonly known, but less widely used colour terms. The colour names were used as search terms in Google and the first thirty images from the results are presented here in an unaltered state. The colour terms have been arranged by hue, so it is possible to compare the results of different searches or similarly coloured images.

Process


Google Image search has allowed me to capture an impression of colour across a medium, which is still relatively democratic and where content is less mediated and regulated. The results of each search add to the collective understanding of what a colour term represents and it is possible for anyone and everyone, through their own contributions to the internet, to influence that understanding in some way.

Results


The outcome of a Google Image search may not provide a conclusive answer, but as the results show, colour is rarely, if ever, definitive. Everyone’s idea of what a particular colour is, may equate to many subtly different shades. However, in all but a few cases, notably puce, there is some degree of colour consistency across the search results. This methodology has produced a body of images that are a reflection of how colour terms are often used or understood: sometimes it’s all a bit vague.

Conclusions

PaleBeiges


• Ivory

• Buttermilk

• Cream

• Almond

• Beige

• Nude

• Champagne

Search Terms


ivory


Buttermilk


cream


Almond


Beige


nude


champagne

Yellows


• Mustard

• Gold

• Marigold

• Honey

Search Terms


Mustard


Gold


Marigold


honey

Oranges


• Amber

• Tangerine

• Rust

• Terracotta

• Sienna

• Peach

Search Terms


Amber


tangerine


rust


terracotta


sienna


peach


• Salmon

• Watermelon

• Coral

• Cerise

• Magenta

• Fuchsia

• Raspberry

Search Terms


salmon


Watermelon


coral


cerise


Magenta


fuchsia


raspberry


• Scarlet

• Crimson

• Claret

• Maroon

• Burgundy

• Wine

Search Terms


scarlet


crimson


claret


Maroon


Burgundy


Wine

Purples


• Puce

• Mauve

• Plum

• Aubergine

• Damson

• Grape

• Lilac

• Lavender

• Violet

Search Terms


puce


Mauve


plum


Aubergine


Damson


Grape


lilac


lavender


Violet


• Indigo

• Periwinkle

• Cobalt

• Ultramarine

• Navy

• Azure

• Cyan

• Aqua

• Aquamarine

• Turquoise

• Teal

Search Terms


indigo


periwinkle


cobalt


ultramarine


navy


Azure


cyan


Aqua


Aquamarine


turquoise


teal

Greens


• Jade

• Mint

• Sage

• Emerald

• Pistachio

• Lime

• Chartreuse

• Hazel

• Olive

Search Terms


jade


Mint


sage


emerald


pistachio


lime


chartreuse


hazel


olive

MidBeiges


• Khaki

• Fawn

• Ecru

• Taupe

• Mink

Search Terms


khaki


fawn


ecru


taupe


Mink

Browns


• Mocha

• Bronze

• Tan

• Russet

• Chestnut

• Mahogany

• Chocolate

• Ebony

Search Terms


Mocha


Bronze


tan


russet


chestnut


Mahogany


chocolate


ebony


• Charcoal

• Slate

• Gunmetal

• Pewter

• Silver

Search Terms


charcoal


slate


Gunmetal


pewter


silver

ColourfulLanguage

Eleanor Maclure 2012

http://eleanormaclure.wordpress.com/

http://issuu.com/eleanorbydesign/docs/looking_for_hue

Looking for Hue

Design

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