Role of colour in ecological approach to product and material design

Abstract

The aim of this research paper is to map, document and classify new, progressive and perspective approaches to colour in product and material design. The purpose is to identify the impact and importance of colour in the creation of new materials and prod-ucts from an ecological point of view. The majority of current progressive approaches to design creation and research is set in an ecological framework, taking into account their impact on the environment. The question is not whether colour is present in this process, but rather where it stands in this process, whether it can help it and how much it affects it. One of the objectives of this article is to raise awareness in this area and to arouse interest in and discussion on this topic. The theme of colours in design is often overlooked and relegated to the background. The results of several scientific studies on the impact of colour on product evaluation and consumer shopping behaviour suggest the potential of this topic and open up space for further research. In this research pa-per, we consider the approach of product and material designers and researchers to colour in an ecological context, as a stand-alone design and material creation group. Within this main group, individual approaches can be classified into four basic princi-ples, which the paper defines and describes. They are analysed and researched in more depth through specific examples of the work of various designers. The principles have no fixed boundaries, they are not isolated. They influence or follow each other. This classification of the approach to colour in an ecological context allows us primarily to talk about it more professionally and attempt to define its importance and role in individual approach. Ultimately, it helps us answer the question of whether and how colour can affect the process of changing human interaction with the environment.

Keywords

• colour
• design
• ecology
• circular economy
• recycling
• sustainability
• bio-based material