Communicating with Color - Presentation Zen Design - page 58

direct light illuminating from a screen or monitor (as opposed to colors on the printed
page, which are seen as reflected light). We see colors with our eyes, but we perceive
colors in our minds. Often we are not conscious of the perception, but its impact can be
profound. The human eye can distinguish millions of colors and modern technology can
produce nearly as many. While it is possible for us to design slides with a virtually
unlimited color palette using today's software tools, it is important to remember that
restraint and simplicity are our guiding principles.
Lessons from Sumi-e
Sumi-e ( ), the ancient art of Japanese brush painting, provides a powerful lesson
concerning the use of color, communication, and restraints. Transported to Japan from
China, sumi-e is deeply rooted in Zen, embodying many tenets of the Zen aesthetic,
including simplicity and a focus on maximum effect with minimum means. In sumi-e,
great works are achieved with only black ink on washi (rice paper) or silk scrolls. Using
the black ink to achieve several variations of tones shows that powerful visual messages
can be created with a single color in the form of different shades and tints. Sumi-e, like
the Zen arts in general, embodies the maxim to never use more when less will do.
In sumi-e, a combination of empty space and monochromatic strokes that range from
the extremely light gray to black express a great deal. When the work is complete, a red
seal is placed in the composition in such a way that it contributes to the balance of the
picture. Of course, red pops out in a sea of black, gray, and white empty space and
draws much attention to itself. (Actually, it's more of a reddish flesh tone called shuniku.)
In sumi-e paintings, the stamp is small and stands out in a harmonious way that serves to
anchor the flow of the composition. The lesson here is clear: using a few carefully
selected and positioned colors is more effective than many colors indiscriminately
placed.
N￵tan ( ) is a Japanese concept describing the use of light and dark aspects of a
design in a balanced and harmonious way. Whether you use many colors or just shades
of gray in your design work, the creation of light and dark elements is fundamental to its
clarity. Imagine, for example, a colorful painting that maintains much of its clarity even in
very low-light conditions. The careful use of light and dark in the composition contributes
to the picture's interest and expressiveness, even when the hues become nearly
imperceptible. Although the sumi (ink) is black, the artist can use techniques to create
many shades of gray or many “colors.” This use of color and arrangement of light and
dark is effective for creating depth and movement in a composition. The lesson from
sumi-e regarding color is simple: you can achieve more with less, not more.
Express the Essence with Less
The objective of sumi-e is not to re-create a subject to look perfectly like the
original. The objective is to capture and express the subject's essence. This is
achieved not with more but with less. Therefore, useless details are omitted and
every brush stroke has meaning and purpose. The minimum number of strokes or