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Colourful
Language
Eleanor Maclure 2012
MA Graphic Design
Major project Visual Research

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

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

•• Ivory
•• Buttermilk
•• Cream
•• Almond
•• Beige
•• Nude
•• Champagne
Search Terms

Ivory

Buttermilk

Cream

Almond

Beige

Nude

Champagne

•• Mustard
•• Gold
•• Marigold
•• Honey
Search Terms

Mustard

Gold

Marigold

Honey

•• 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

•• 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

•• Jade
•• Mint
•• Sage
•• Emerald
•• Pistachio
•• Lime
•• Chartreuse
•• Hazel
•• Olive
Search Terms

Jade

Mint

Sage

Emerald

Pistachio

Lime

Chartreuse

Hazel

Olive

•• Khaki
•• Fawn
•• Ecru
•• Taupe
•• Mink
Search Terms

Khaki

Fawn

Ecru

Taupe

Mink

•• 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

Colourful
Language
Eleanor Maclure 2012
http://eleanormaclure.wordpress.com/
http://issuu.com/eleanorbydesign/docs/looking_for_hue

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Looking for Hue

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