Project Overview

The Forbidden City Colour System Research Project aims to delve into the cultural significance and knowledge associated with the Forbidden City. Focusing primarily on its architecture and artefacts, the project employs methods such as on-site colour comparison and colour harmonization to establish a referenceable and instructive colour system. This system serves as a foundation for applications across various dimensions, including innovative integration, interactive dissemination, and aesthetic education.

Preliminary Research

The project involved in-depth research on the colours of the Forbidden City's architecture and artefacts through on-site visits, the development of colour harmonization models, and the implementation of digital and standardization techniques. The research team conducted activities such as on-site colour matching, photography, and surveys to collect raw data on the colours of the Forbidden City. After colour harmonization and data filtering, a comprehensive colour system was established. This system aims to quantify, visualize, and standardize the Forbidden City’s colours, thereby minimizing errors caused by cognitive differences.

Project Outcomes

Based on the aforementioned research and studies, the project team developed the Forbidden City Colour System, which is structured into six major sections: definitions of Forbidden City colours, primary and secondary colours, colour expansion, colour combinations, usage guidelines and recommendations, and colour applications.

In the colour presentation phase, the guidebook employs a structure of "colour data + on-site photography + colour narrative," which not only interprets the historical and cultural attributes of the Forbidden City's colours but also provides precise and detailed digital colour information.

The project team extended the core colours of the Forbidden City identified through their research, making the colour system more versatile for multi-media and multi-scenario applications. By analyzing the primary and secondary colours and conducting on-site comparisons with Forbidden City artefacts, the team formulated corresponding application-ready colour combinations and palettes for use by professionals. Building on these results, the project further expanded into related application scenarios, such as aesthetic education courses on Forbidden City colours, interactive visuals, websites, and online tools.

The Forbidden City Colour System Guidebook adopts a horizontal double-page layout, utilizing a clean grid structure to present the content related to the Forbidden City’s colours with clarity. For print production, it uses colour micro-spray rice paper, maximizing the vividness and accuracy of the colours. This material is distinguished by its wide colour gamut, water resistance, and lightfastness.

Detailed view of the Forbidden City Colour System Guidebook

This guidebook was showcased at the international design exhibition Innovative Horizons: A Showcase of Design Excellence held at the China Cultural Centre in Singapore.

Outcome 2: Forbidden City Colour Aesthetic Education Programme

The core concept of the Forbidden City Colour Aesthetic Education Programme is to integrate traditional colour education with the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) approach. It emphasizes hands-on practice and interdisciplinary integration to spark children's enthusiasm for exploring traditional Chinese colours. In the design of the teaching framework, the project team combined curriculum themes from related disciplines with the Forbidden City’s colours, resulting in the development of five course modules. Through a phased approach, the programme guides children to observe, perceive, understand, and express the colours of the Forbidden City. This approach builds an innovative and practical aesthetic education curriculum for children, promoting the inheritance and innovation of China's rich traditional culture.

Examples of teaching tools from the Forbidden City Colour Aesthetic Education Programme

Outcome 3: "Colour Resonance of the Forbidden City" Interactive Visual Experience

"Colour Resonance of the Forbidden City" is an interactive visual work inspired by the colours of the Forbidden City. By employing interactive technologies such as LeapMotion gesture sensors, Max, and TouchDesigner, the project enables an immersive experience where audience members can interact with the sounds and colours of the work through bodily movements. Using a synaesthetic interactive narrative strategy, the piece creates an emotional space imbued with the cultural essence of traditional Chinese architecture. In this work, the audience's movements not only trigger the dynamic flow and transformation of colours but also allow participation in the creation of music, shaping a fully immersive audio-visual experience. Through this interaction, "Colour Resonance of the Forbidden City" offers participants a profound appreciation of the aesthetic of traditional Chinese architectural colours, exploring the subtle connections between culture and the senses.

The project team designed four themed scenarios, each expressing distinct cultural meanings and emotional spaces of the Forbidden City through specific colour tones and architectural elements: Serene Heavenly Dome, Joyous Melody of a Flourishing Era, Jewel of the Imperial Throne and Mysteries of the Forbidden Depths.

Outcome 4: Interactive Web Design for Forbidden City Colours

To enable the public to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the rich cultural heritage of the Forbidden City, the project team aims to provide an experience and perception of the Forbidden City through the lens of its colours. The project team analyzed representative examples of modern and traditional colour-focused web designs and conducted user research both on-site at the Forbidden City and online. By integrating insights with the previously developed Forbidden City Colour Application Scheme, they designed a website to showcase the project's progress and content. Through detailed presentations of the various sub-projects related to the Forbidden City’s colours, the aim is to enable the public to experience the profound cultural significance embodied in these colours and to appreciate the unique charm of the Forbidden City through the interplay of hues.

Outcome 5: Forbidden City Colour Pattern Generator

The Forbidden City Colour Pattern Generator is a design tool that facilitates the creation of patterns and graphics based on the Forbidden City Colour System, traditional grid drawing methods, and modern standardized design techniques. This tool is versatile and can be used for both graphic and colour education in various contexts. Its purpose is to enable users to engage with classic design and drawing methods, deepening their understanding of the principles behind the Forbidden City’s colours, pattern design, and geometric configurations. In doing so, it serves as both a design education and aesthetic education resource, fostering appreciation for traditional Chinese culture and artistic innovation.

Project Summary

The Forbidden City Colour System Research Project has established a comprehensive colour system for the Forbidden City, contributing to the preservation and inheritance of the aesthetic value of traditional colours. By introducing the Forbidden City’s colour system into educational and aesthetic contexts, the project aids children in better understanding and appreciating traditional colours. Furthermore, the integration of these colours with modern interactive media enhances the dissemination of the Forbidden City’s colour culture to a broader audience.

Throughout the research process, from initial investigations to the presentation of final outcomes, participating students not only gained a comprehensive and systematic understanding of colour theory but also developed a deeper insight into the history, culture, architecture, and heritage of the Forbidden City. Students also applied their individual research interests and academic focuses to related design practices. This PBL programme provided an invaluable design practice experience. It played a significant role in cultivating students’ design thinking and enhancing their professional competence as designers. Moreover, it offers meaningful guidance for their future studies and professional endeavours.

The "Forbidden City Colour Research" project on display at the School’s art museum exhibition.