Group 072-07: Synesthetic Lighting: Research

Color Theory

Synesthesia is an anomalous blending of the senses in which one sense is simultaneously perceived by one or more additional senses such as sight or smell. Light and color can affect well-being by causing disruptions in the circadian rhythm, mood changes and heart rate variability.

Why do people study color psychology?

Color psychology is further studied due to theories that explain how colors affect people's feeling and how they can be used to advance human development and functionality.

Color Theory Basics

In the visual arts, color theory is a body of practical guidance to color mixing and the effects of a specific color combination. Sir Isaac Newton made the first color wheel in 1666 (Image 1). Since then, other methods have been used to organize all the colors together.

Figure 1: Old and new versions of the color wheel

Different types of colors

Subtractive

When painters mix paint, or color is printed, subtractive color is used. This means we start with white, and as we add color it keeps getting darker until black is reached. Images 2 and 3 show subtractive coloring for printing and painting, respectively.

Image 2: CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) color system used in printing

Image 3: Colors used in painitng

Additive

Additive color is usually associated with light. The presence of no light is black, and as more color is added, eventually white is reached. Images 4 and 5 show additive coloring in light and on computer screens.

Image 4: RGB (Red, Green, Blue) are the primary colors used in light

Image 5: Colors used in computer screens

Sonochromatism

Sonachromatism or sonachromatopsia is a neurological phenomenon where colors are perceived as sounds. It happens when there is a union between the brain and a color-to-sound software or chip. It is different than synesthesia because synesthesia is a physical condition, whereas sonachromatism is aided by software.

Instead of the union between two senses, sonachromatism is defined as the creation of a new sense.

How does it work?

Sonochromatism's connections between color and sound are not subjective' they are objective. The frequencies of the lights match up with frequencies of the sound waves, so every note has a set color.

Table 1: Sonochromatic Scales

Blue/Red Light

- Blue light interrupts sleep patterns, reduces sleepiness and suppresses melatonin levels. Red light has a lesser effect on circadian rhythm therefore being and excellent choice for evening lighting. This is due to sensory cross over in which the brain consciously attempts to convert one type of sensory-like input to a different sensory output.

Sound Psychology

The psychology of sound involves the receptiveness of one’s hearing and how it is perceived, created, responded to and incorporated into our everyday lives. Sounds can even be used to enhance emotionally-charged experiences in films or video games and other everyday life activities.

Scales/Notes/Major/Minor keys

An example of sound being used as a psychological effect in a video game is the use of the major pentatonic scale used as an audible reward cue. A common example of this is the “ring collect” sound in Sonic the Hedgehog which indicates the player is headed in the right direction and evokes a notion of success. Another way sound is used to influence peoples thought process is the use of non-linear sounds which is produced by sudden changes in frequency in acoustic instruments. This method of ingrained fear is used in many Resident Evil soundtracks as well. Ambient sounds can also be mixed and used to wash away distractions and help you focus or relax.

Arduino

Arduino is a prototyping program based on user-friendly hardware and software. Arduino boards are small and can fit in the palm of your hand. Arduino can take an input- like a light sensor, a button, an online message, etc.- and make an output, like activating a motor or publishing information online. For this project, our input will be sound from the MIDI keyboard and the output will be a certain wavelength of light in an LED.

Arduino works with Processing, which is an easy-to-use program that helps the Arduino "talk" with the computer. We will be using Processing, because the computer is the interface for "talking" between the MIDI and the Arduino. Below is an example of Arduino code (Figure 1)