2023
Color, Materials and Finishes
Name: Color, Materials and Finishes
Code: VIS12204M
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Design
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
The purpose of this UC is to provide students with knowledge that enabling them to identify and
understand the importance of Colour, Materials and Finishes (CMF) in Design, as defining elements of
functional, emotional, cultural or symbolic factors reported for a particular product. It is also intended
that the student be able to learn to explore and apply the CMF relationship, recognizing it as a
determining factor of success or failure of a product considering the concept of user-centered design.
The student should be able to know: What is the most appropriate material to a product so that it
fulfils its functional, symbolic, and morphological dimensions; What kind of finish should be given to
certain material, according to the product function, the environment to which it is intended and the
market to which it directs; The emotional functions of combining colour, materials and finishes
considering the previous study of the user needs and expectations.
understand the importance of Colour, Materials and Finishes (CMF) in Design, as defining elements of
functional, emotional, cultural or symbolic factors reported for a particular product. It is also intended
that the student be able to learn to explore and apply the CMF relationship, recognizing it as a
determining factor of success or failure of a product considering the concept of user-centered design.
The student should be able to know: What is the most appropriate material to a product so that it
fulfils its functional, symbolic, and morphological dimensions; What kind of finish should be given to
certain material, according to the product function, the environment to which it is intended and the
market to which it directs; The emotional functions of combining colour, materials and finishes
considering the previous study of the user needs and expectations.
Contents
1. Colour, Materials and Finishes: concepts contextualization:
1.1. Design and cultural identity of objects;
1.2. Function objects: Relationship between usability, aesthetic and symbolic factors;
1.3. Objects and sensory stimulation;
1.4. Product and ideological, physical, mental and social satisfaction;
1.5. Colour, Materials and Finishes as emotional design factors.
2. Colour as Finishes:
2.1. Psychology of Colour: Fundamental principles;
2.2. Cognitive implications of the relationship colour and light;
2.3. Colour as element defining emotional factors;
2.4. Colour as element defining cultural factors;
2.5. Emotional Design: Colour as finishes.
3. Materials and Finishes:
3.1. Types of finishes: textiles, metals, wood and derivatives, glass, ceramics, plastics and composites.
3.2. Surface and texture: material qualities applied to various materials.
3.3. The color while defining element of emotional factors
3.4. The color while defining element of cultural factors
3.5. Emotional Design: Materials and finishes.
4. Identify and explore the properties of color, materials and finishes in design solutions
1.1. Design and cultural identity of objects;
1.2. Function objects: Relationship between usability, aesthetic and symbolic factors;
1.3. Objects and sensory stimulation;
1.4. Product and ideological, physical, mental and social satisfaction;
1.5. Colour, Materials and Finishes as emotional design factors.
2. Colour as Finishes:
2.1. Psychology of Colour: Fundamental principles;
2.2. Cognitive implications of the relationship colour and light;
2.3. Colour as element defining emotional factors;
2.4. Colour as element defining cultural factors;
2.5. Emotional Design: Colour as finishes.
3. Materials and Finishes:
3.1. Types of finishes: textiles, metals, wood and derivatives, glass, ceramics, plastics and composites.
3.2. Surface and texture: material qualities applied to various materials.
3.3. The color while defining element of emotional factors
3.4. The color while defining element of cultural factors
3.5. Emotional Design: Materials and finishes.
4. Identify and explore the properties of color, materials and finishes in design solutions
Teaching Methods
The classes will be based on the sharing and discussion of theoretical and practical knowledge with
the student promoting the development of theorical-practical exercises, by using the media, manuals
and technical support.
The student's performance evaluation shall be made through the analysis of there attendance and
class participation, as well as through the development of practical work of applying the acquired
knowledge to design project and respective prototypes.
Continuous assessment (50%) results of students monitoring intermediam exercise during the
semester (40%), as well as their attendance and participation in (10%). The valuation dates of
Intermedios exercises will be combined with students and posted in the first fifteen days of classes.
The final evaluation (50%) is done by a Jury analysis of the knowledge acquired by the student along
the semester, mirrored at the end of theoretical and practical work, subdivided into the following
components: a) Presentation of several exercises performed in class; b) Application of CMF solutions
to project; c) Application of CMF solutions to prototypes; d) Rationale options.
the student promoting the development of theorical-practical exercises, by using the media, manuals
and technical support.
The student's performance evaluation shall be made through the analysis of there attendance and
class participation, as well as through the development of practical work of applying the acquired
knowledge to design project and respective prototypes.
Continuous assessment (50%) results of students monitoring intermediam exercise during the
semester (40%), as well as their attendance and participation in (10%). The valuation dates of
Intermedios exercises will be combined with students and posted in the first fifteen days of classes.
The final evaluation (50%) is done by a Jury analysis of the knowledge acquired by the student along
the semester, mirrored at the end of theoretical and practical work, subdivided into the following
components: a) Presentation of several exercises performed in class; b) Application of CMF solutions
to project; c) Application of CMF solutions to prototypes; d) Rationale options.
Teaching Staff
- Miguel do Canto Moniz Bual [responsible]
