Presenter - Zena O’Connor

Zena O’Connor, Principal Research Consultant
Afternoon Breakout Session

A defence of traditional color theory: Exploring the impact and relevance of ontology and epistemology

Recent calls by the Inter-Society Color Council’s Committee on Colour Literacy to tackle ‘the problem of rampant disinformation’ as well as ‘the lack of understanding of the interconnection of colour and light’ are to be applauded. One of the key aims of the Committee is to transform colour education, and many challenges have been identified, summarised by a quote from Enid Verity at the 1977 AIC congress: ‘Surely in no other field of study are the arts and sciences so interdependent and yet so divided by lack of adequate communication’. This paper suggests that a barrier to moving forward with the Committee’s task is the impact of different and often conflicting ontological and epistemological theoretical assumptions embedded in the plethora of existing colour theories. That is, colour theories abound in the literature and occur across diverse fields including art, design, physics, psychology and digital technology. In each of these fields, theoretical discourse and analysis tend to be characterised by differing ontological perspectives, epistemologies as well as the dichotomy between evidence-based information as opposed to anecdotal information combined with personal beliefs masquerading as theory. An added source of confusion is that mainstream media and the internet are awash with a range of personal ideas and opinions about colour presented as theory, most of which lack evaluation via a robust peer- review process. A logical step in addressing the issue of rampant disinformation is to methodically tease apart the muddled, intermingled information about colour theories often found in the literature and mainstream media. That is, to clearly identify and differentiate key colour theories that have arisen in each field of study, and then identify patterns of similarity and difference before attempting to find opportunities to interconnect colour theories and transform colour education. To this end, this paper provides a description and defence of traditional colour theory, which is just one of a number of diverse theories about colour. Traditional colour theory arose as a means of informing colour application predominantly in art and applied design. As such, traditional colour theory primarily revolved around substance (pigment) colour as opposed to other forms of colour and represents, among other things, a key legacy of the Bauhaus.

Bio

A designer by training, Dr Zena O’Connor is an evidence-based research consultant. Zena’s consultancy work includes effective colour design, colour insight and validation, colour strategies to improve environmental visual literacy in design and the built environment, and post-occupancy evaluation in aged care. Zena has worked on numerous projects including branding and logo design, data visualisation, colour trend analysis, aged care design, product and packaging design, and urban supergraphics. An individual member of the AIC (International Colour Association), DIA (Design Institute of Australia) and EDRA (Environmental Design Research Association), Zena has published widely in peer-reviewed academic and trade journals, and is a frequent presenter at local and international conferences. She also holds a Bachelor of Business (UTS), Master’s Degree in Design (UTS) and a PhD (Faculty of Architecture, University of Sydney). Zena established Design Research Associates in 2006 and has worked as a research consultant for a large range of clients including Deicke Richards Architects, Taylor Fry, Resene Paints, New Zealand Health Design Council, Auckland City Hospital, Aevum Limited, BUPA (NZ), and North Sydney Council. In addition, Zena has developed and delivered university lectures as well as seminars and CPD workshops for architects and designers. In 2017, Zena founded the Colour Collective Sydney, an organisation comprised of design and creative professionals dedicated to initiating and supporting colour activations in the built environment and urban domain.