Electromagnetic Spectrum and Color Vision

• The exam consists of Section A with multiple-choice questions and Section B with practical questions
• Section A includes 10 questions, worth 5 points total
• Section B includes 2 questions, each worth 2.5 points, totaling 5 points

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

• Mixing red, green, and blue lights at full brightness results in white light
• Infrared electromagnetic waves are useful in the dark with a night vision camera
• Radio waves have the longest wavelength among electromagnetic waves
• Microwaves are used in microwave ovens
• Visible light waves can be seen by the human eye
• Ultraviolet electromagnetic waves can cause sunburn

Cone Cells and Color Vision

• S-cones detect blue light
• When all three types of cone cells are active, the brain perceives white
• Cone cells are mainly located in the retina of the eye
• Colors appear dull in the dark because rod cells take over and do not detect color

Textures

• The rough surface of sandpaper is an example of a tactile texture
• A drawing of fur is a visual but not tactile texture
• Fuzzy and blurry textures appear soft and smooth
• Smooth textures make objects look heavier in artwork
• Velvet texture is associated with luxury and softness
• Shadows and highlights enhance texture contrast in an image

Visual Communication

• The main purpose of contrast in visual design is to highlight differences and guide attention
• Red is often used to symbolize danger
• Placing the most important information in bold and larger font is an example of visual hierarchy
• The Gestalt principle that suggests that people tend to see grouped objects as a whole is proximity
• Proximity makes objects closer together appear as a group
• The area with the most emphasis in a design, is referred to as the focal point
• Symmetry in design refers to a balanced composition
• Blue often symbolizes calmness
• The line visual element is most used to guide the viewer’s eye in an image

Practical Questions (Section B)

• Figure-Ground Perception: Identifying different interpretations and explaining how figure-ground perception works
• Tactile vs. Visual Texture: Describing an object with differing visual and tactile textures
• Color Palette Design: Developing a color palette with a double complementary scheme, light colors, and blue as a base color
• Emotional Impact of Colors: Choosing colors for different spaces, such as classrooms, hospitals, nightclubs, and cafeterias, and explaining the choices
• Iconicity Challenge: Drawing a cup of coffee at different levels of iconicity, including a highly detailed drawing, a simplified cartoon version, and a very basic symbol such as an emoji or logo