Color Science (3 cr)

Objective

The visual perception certainly is the dominant information source for humans. Color again is a major part of visual perception. For centuries scientists have tried to understand the human color perception. Since the 19th century their work yields mathematically based models which became the basis of our modern systems for technical color reproduction. Nowadays color is omnipresent as prints or electronic imaging and we take color correctness for granted. But color perception still is not completely understood yet and only a few people really look deeper into the foundations. This, however, is important to understand and solve problems related to color reproduction systems.

Expected learning outcomes:
Knowledge of scientific methods and theoretical foundations of color perception and visualization with focus on relevant applications in multimedia. Self-contained ability to design and implement color analysis and synthesis in color critical applications. Selection, optimization and evaluation of appropriate hardware and software.

Content

- Human eye and visual perception
- Radiation and optical physics
- Historical background
- Colorimetry, color-matching functions, standard colorimetric system
- Tristimulus color spaces, color gamuts, meaning of optimal colors
- Elementary color mixing methods
- Relation between analysis and synthesis of color
- Technical systems for color measurement, color image capture and reproduction
- Uniform color scales, color order systems, color difference formulae
- Color measurement & management systems, color calibration, gamut mapping
- Hands-on measurements

Evaluation scale

0-5

Qualifications

Multimedia basics, basics of signal processing, applied mathematics (vector calculus, coordinate transformations, infinitesimal calculus), physics (geometrical and physical optics, radiation physics), fundamentals of computer engineering, basic concepts of physiology