Color in the environment
Color can either stand out from or blend in with the environment. The ability of something that is otherwise visible to “hide in plain sight” is called camouflage.
Camouflage can occur naturally in many animals. If an animal cannot be seen by its prey, this increases its chances of survival and reproduction. Examples of this include a polar bear in snow, a frog on a leaf or a deer in the woods. Another animal whose appearance changes its color to match any environment is the chameleon.
Sometimes an object’s ability to match its surroundings is an important consideration for design, such as in the design of military combat uniforms. Sometimes it is important for an object to stand out from its surroundings, as in the case of a stop sign.
What other examples can you think of where it might be important for the color of something you design to match or to contrast with its environment?
PHOTOS: ISTOCKPHOTO, KIDS THINK DESIGN