This research explores colored light from historical, scientific, and technological vantage points. Effects of colored light on the human condition are examined on multiple levels, comparing theories in physiological, psychological, and phenomenological areas of study, addressed across a broad scope of literature. The focus of this research is to gain an understanding of the effects of colored light on the human condition, and how designing with it can provide an engaging phenomenological experience which marries centuries’ old design techniques with modern technological innovations. The stages of research include a literature review, followed by a series of creative explorations with light, texture and form through small-scale models. Data gathered is then analyzed, categorized, and used to create a taxonomy for designing with colored light. Research is then explored on a larger scale through a pilot study conducted in a 5’ x 9’ room designed to create an experience of being bathed in colored light with user-controlled variability. Each research method may then be used to inform the design of interior environments, affecting the participant’s physiological, psychological, and phenomenological experiences.

Two experiments were conducted investigating retroactive inhibition in free recall as a function of rated imagery level (high or low). In Exp. I there was significant retroactive inhibition in all experimental conditions relative to single-list controls and more interference when two lists of the same imagery level were learned than when the lists were different in imagery. In Exp. II all subjects learned a mixed List 1 containing nouns, half of high and half of low imagery. List 2 were nouns of high, mixed, or low imagery. The effect of type of List 2 was not significant, but the interaction of List 1 imagery and type of List 2 did reach significance. The amount of retroactive inhibition-at each level of imagery was related to the number of List 2 words at the same level. Thus, the similarity effect is not dependent on the similarity of Lists 1 and 2 as wholes, as the response-set interpretation of retroactive inhibition suggests, but seems to be due to more specific interference among items similar in imagery.