TCRE | W3D2: Exploring the Depths of Visual Perception

Van Gogh’s Mathematical Genius

Van Gogh’s paintings are renowned not only for their emotional depth but also for their mathematical accuracy. His ability to depict turbulent patterns in his works, such as in “Starry Night,” raises intriguing questions about human perception.

How is it possible for a human to visualize turbulence with such precision? Some theories suggest that Van Gogh had an extraordinary ability to perceive colours and patterns, potentially seeing beyond the visible light spectrum. This “super-power” might have enabled him to observe and represent phenomena like cosmic dust turbulence in galaxies, which typically remain hidden to the naked eye.

Visual Channel Ranking

Humans have a natural order in which they observe visual elements: spatial region, colour hue, motion, and shape. Understanding this hierarchy allows us to guide the audience’s focus intentionally. By manipulating these visual channels, we can create a narrative that directs viewers’ attention from one element to another, mimicking motion and conveying messages more effectively.

For instance, in branding, this understanding can be leveraged to shape perceptions. Colours within other colours can alter their appearance and emotional impact, reinforcing the idea that “the context of a colour always represents something else.” This approach helps in labelling and representing concepts as good or bad, making branding efforts more impactful and intuitive.

The Emotional Language of Colour

The aim of exploring colour in this context is to evoke emotions. Consider the “Inside Out” poster, which beautifully illustrates how colours represent different emotions. Humans perceive colour based on three HSL (Hue, Saturation, Luminance) values rather than the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) model. Each component plays a unique role:

• Hue: Directly relates to specific emotions. For example, red might evoke passion or anger, while blue can represent calmness or sadness.

• Saturation: Determines the intensity of the emotion. A highly saturated colour is more vivid and can convey stronger feelings.

• Luminance: Reflects the positivity or negativity of the emotion. Brighter colours tend to be perceived as more positive, while darker tones can evoke negative feelings.

These HSL values provide a more nuanced understanding of how colours affect human emotions. By carefully adjusting these parameters, we can craft visual experiences that resonate deeply with the audience, enhancing their emotional engagement.

Hue and Bias

Unlike saturation and luminance, hue does not follow a fixed physical order. It is influenced by various biases, including commercial advertising, cultural associations, and natural context. While there is a physical order based on wavelength, this is often overshadowed by these influences. To maintain simplicity and distinguishability, it’s effective to limit the number of hues to seven.

Colours can create visual artifacts and can be used to encode different categories. Cultural influences play a significant role in how colours are perceived.

For example, as a Vietnamese person, the combination of red and yellow evokes specific emotions for me.

Personal biases also affect colour perception; for instance, I associate green with particular emotions such as safe and "frog?". In our digital age, our brains have become accustomed to vibrant, artificial colours, making the more subdued colours of nature seem less exciting.

When colours do not conform to their expected associations, they can create confusion. For example, a green cross x or a red tick √ can be disorienting because they defy our conventional understanding of these symbols.

This mismatch highlights the importance of context and cultural sensitivity in colour usage.

Colour Preferences: A Personal Reflection

Favour in colour

Favour in Emotion

The pie chart above represents my emotional response to different colours:

• 10% Yellow: This colour elicits disgust for me, likely because its slightly brownish tint reminds me of something dirty. Additionally, its position between green and pink on the colour wheel may cause some annoying feelings.

• 50% Green and Pink: These are my personal favourite colours and represent positivity, nature, and cuteness. They are opposites on the colour wheel, creating a great contrast.

• 30% Dark Blue: This colour evokes confusion. It makes me feel uneasy within the first few seconds, possibly due to its placement on the colour wheel, similar to yellow’s effect.

• 10% Red: Symbolizes strength due to its strong cultural significance for me. In Vietnamese culture, red is prominent in our flag, Tet holiday celebrations, and the iconic student flower. Red also signifies action and strength in many countries.

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Summary [Chat GPT]

Van Gogh’s ability to capture mathematical accuracy in his paintings highlights the potential of human perception to extend beyond the visible spectrum. Understanding the ranking of visual channels—spatial region, colour hue, motion, and shape—enables us to guide audience perception strategically. Colours within other colours, and the context they create, play a significant role in branding and emotional representation. By focusing on HSL values, we can fine-tune our use of colour to evoke specific emotions, making our visual communications more effective and impactful. Recognising the influence of biases and cultural contexts on hue can help prevent confusion and ensure our designs resonate with diverse audiences.