Color Collaboration in Product Design:
It’s not just black and whitenor beige or gray
“Color plays a vitally important role in the world in which we live. Color can sway thinking, change actions, and
cause reactions. It can irritate or soothe your eyes, raise your blood
pressure or suppress your appetite.”– colormatters.com
As a powerful form of communication, color is irreplaceable.
As a powerful form of communication, color is irreplaceable.
As a powerful form of communication, color is irreplaceable.
The world of color study is vast
Recent neuroscientific research and studies of circadian rhythms demonstrate that the color spectrum of light directly influences human biological systems and health outcomes (Edelstein, 2008).
BIOLOGYImage: http://turil.wordpress.com/2010/09/08/the-circadian-spectrum-of-your-mind
The world of color study is vast
biophilic design
color theory
color application
psychological responses
color andthe aging eye
physiological responses
The world of color study is vast
PSYCHOLOGY
The world of color study is vast
ANTHROPOLOGY
The reach of color is far.
ECONOMYSource: The Effects of Store Environment On Shopping Behaviors:
A Critical Review. Shun Yin Lam, 2001
The reach of color is far.
BRAND
The reach of color is far.
BRAND
“Color plays an important role in one's experience of a healthcare
facility as competent, efficient and "caring." Color can enhance the
healing process and inspire user confidence …”
- International Association of Color Consultants
(http://www.iaccna.org/?q=node/43)
White Coat Syndrome
20% of the US population suffers from white coat syndrome
-White-coat hypertension as a risk factor for the development of home hypertension: the Ohasama study, 2005
White Coat Syndrome
Translation?White = fear of• Unknown• Unfamiliar• Lack of control
Why the sea of white, beige and tan?
Why are we seeing improvements?
The absence of variety in the visual environment may cause sensory deprivation
- Mahnke, F., & Mahnke, R. T. (1987). Color and light in man-made environments.
PRACTICEDESIGN
THINKING
“Design thinking encourages us to approach problem solving
differently: instead of taking a normal, convergent approach where we make
the best choices out of existing alternatives, it encourages us to diverge. To create new choices, new alternatives
that haven’t existed before.” – Tim Brown, CEO IDEO
“Color is not an inherent characteristic of surfaces. The color makeup of the light
striking surfaces is as responsible for what color(s) healthy eyes see as the surface
material itself.” -Steffy, G. (2002).
Architectural Lighting Design.
Color Collaboration in Product Design
• Early collaboration• Challenge the supply base• Don’t accept the status quo
Color Collaboration in Product Design:
It’s not just black and whitenor beige or gray