Upcoming Webinars
The 'Blind Spot' in Architectural Color
This webinar is part of the ISCC contribution to the celebration of International Colour Day, March 21.
Abstract: People are often surprised when they learn what interior designers do, and how their curriculum prepares students when it comes to the use of color. The reality is that many designers (and architects) enter their new professions with a ‘blind spot’ when it comes to using color in the built environment. This has paved the way for the growing profession of architectural color consultants with solid color instincts, yet still an absence of evidence to support their practices. This webinar sheds light on the factors that contribute to these circumstances:
• What does the work of interior designers entail? Where does discussion of color appear in the design process?
• Public discussion on the human response to color inevitably takes the same path: a description of the associations that people have with each of the hues (blue is calming, red symbolizes passion, etc.). Why is this “Hue Paradigm” of limited use in architectural color?
• The Hue Paradigm has also shaped research questions/methodology and has, inadvertently, reinforced the ‘blind spot’ in architectural color. How has this way of conceiving color interfered with understanding color in a way that is meaningful to designers? Ellen will present studies that inspired her own research and introduce the “Value-Chroma Paradigm” as a new framework for investigating the human response to color.
Speaker bio: Ellen is an independent researcher studying human response to color. Curious about the application of color in built environments, she completed seminars led by Frank Mahnke of the IACC-NA. A desire to participate in the field of design led her to pursue a B.S. in Interior Design with a Minor in Studio Art at Meredith College (Raleigh, NC) where she conducted her first study on color. She has a B.A. in Psychology (U Richmond, VA) and an M.Ed. in Adult Ed (Virginia Commonwealth University, VA).
www.ellendiversdesign.com
Past Webinars - recordings available to ISCC Members here
Color and Culture
Ruthanne M. Hanlon of PPG — Tuesday Feb 25, 2020.
Color trends come and go, season after season and year after year. Sometimes it seems as if they show up without warning and are quite suddenly everywhere - in every product category (clothes, furniture, cars, even computers!) - as if every individual in the design world privately joined forces to release the same hues during the same season. And while there are some groups like that in existence, they are never and have never been the creator of color trends. Color trends are determined by our collective identities. In that regard, they are in fact never without warning, because true trends (as opposed to fads, for example) are born out of a whole web of interconnected elements that shape our culture and inform our subconscious needs, wants, and buying patterns. But where does such a web begin? Where is the origin of a trending color or palette of colors, and how does it become relevant? Color trends are in fact an outcome; a product of timing, events, and moods.
Ruthanne Hanlon has been in the field of design since graduating in 1994 from FIDR accredited Villa Maria College located in upstate NY. Her career includes experience in kitchen and bath design, custom furnishings and space planning. Ruthanne has focused specifically on color specifications since 2000 as a representative of PPG Architectural Coatings and has consulted on commercial and residential projects along with historic restorations using the powerful influence color has in transforming a space, creating an atmosphere and providing the personalization and character everyone strives for. Ruthanne’s understanding of the depth and power of color is reflected in her work.
Ruthanne travels North America and the Caribbean speaking to groups of interior designers, architects and students to conduct PPG’s accredited CEUs and homeowners to offer expert advice on choosing color and utilizing it with ease and confidence in, or on, your home.
Ultra Portable Color Measurement - A Spectro In Your Pocket?
Ken Butts, of Datacolor — January 28th, 2020.
With the introduction of ultra-portable color measuring devices, the need for designers to purchase garments – or discreetly cut a corner – may be coming to an end. The promise of these devices is that designers can easily measure inspiration colors at the fashion show or in the competitor’s store and quickly determine whether or not the color is in their own library or available from a color standards provider. This session will review the possibilities and limitations of ultra-portable color measurement, not only for design but as a potential low-cost QC tool for some supply chains.
Ken Butts is a graduate of NC State University with a BS in Textile Chemistry. He has spent 27 years at Datacolor in various technical and product management roles helping customers in the retail/apparel industry implement digital color management solutions. Ken is currently Global Key Account Team Director at Datacolor. Over the years he has been a frequent speaker at AATCC events including the annual Color Management Workshop. He has also been guest lecturer for textile and apparel departments of multiple US universities.
