An inspiring podcast on everything you need to know about color!
Happy holidays to all our listeners! See you back here in January with a brand-new podcast with Brazilian creative Michell Lott.
The Healing Power of Color with Thelma van der Werff
How can color heal your past traumas? How can you use color to use your full potential and what do your color choices reveal about you? In this episode I will talk to Thelma van der Werff who's life mission is to heal people through color and help them get to their next step in life. In order to prepare for this interview, I had a private session with Thelma of which we will reveal some interesting findings and the first effects her work had on my life so far. This talk truly reveals the power of color and how it can bring along true change in our lives.
Thelma created her Colour Comfort Method from her desire to make the psychology of colour part of everyday life. She analyses the colours people commonly wear and use to reveal their hidden talents and potential, while identifying and reprogramming unwanted behaviour, thought patterns and feelings. She also co-created Colournostics, a coaching tool that uses a combination of psychology of colour and NLP. She has developed an online course about the psychology of colour, and regularly speaks at events, where people are constantly amazed with the accuracy of the information that their colour choices reveal. At the moment she is the President of the International Light Association, a platform for experts, practitioners and manufacturers who use light, colour or sound for health and wellness.
Born Dutch she now lives in Auckland, New Zealand.
Multisensory Perceptions with Carmel Levitan
As first scientist on the podcast, Carmel invites the audience to look beyond color and design and broaden our perceptions as she explains how color connects to other senses such as taste and smell. Carmel will reveal why humans are so keen in connecting multiple senses and what the future is for multisensory experiences. She will talk in detail about her research in the field of cognitive sciences and how our food experiences in particular are influenced by many different aspects. Which colors indicate which of the five tastes? What is synesthesia and how many different types of this neurological condition exist? This episode brings color to a whole other level.
Carmel Levitan is a Professor of Cognitive Science at Occidental College, in Los Angeles, California. Carmel received her PhD in Bioengineering from UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley, and was a postdoctoral researcher in Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford. Carmel’s main area of research expertise is multi sensory perception, focusing on how the senses interact and how factors such as culture, emotions, and expectations mediate associations within and across the senses. Carmel welcomes the opportunity to connect with scientists and artists across the world.
Living Beautifully with Olga Hanono
Olga will reveal how she transforms spaces with their unique energy into a home for her clients, the importance of feeling a space, an aesthetic, a textile, a color before starting a project. Why is color so important in her life and how does she apply color in her interiors? How does the world of art influence her work and how did her love for art start? Listen to our talk and learn about Olga her rich heritage growing up in Mexico City and how its culture and folklore influences Olga her color choices for her projects.
Olga Hanono is a Mexican-born designer with a traditional cultural upbringing and deep passion for aesthetics, beautiful objects, and space. Her charismatic and playful personality comes through her original designs that are no subject to rules or limitations. She transforms every space into an unusual adventure.
Olga has a natural affinity with art and her projects are a combination of uniqueness and glamour, setting trends in the design world and attracting numerous awards (she has been referred to as the IT Designer, the rock star of design and the 2017 designer revelation). Hanono has her own brand textiles and wallpaper collection. She loves exploring new materials and novel/alternative solutions for creating a space: mixing patterns, colors, textures and following her intuition to create interiors of the highest standard and taste, incorporating carefully curated objects and art. She published “the art of beautiful living” by the prestigious publisher ASSOULINE, she offered a press conference at the national palace Bellas Artes in Mexico City and at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York City.
HAPPINESS is her major motto and she embrace it with creative solutions aimed at a luxury lifestyle.
Let Color Surprise you with Mark Woodman
As a great storyteller, Mark takes us all on a journey of color aha moments, color misperceptions and some color stories that marked his career. We will talk about getting the color right for a client as he reveals some interesting tactics. As a writer, he is very much involved in naming and describing color, an intriguing process that is more demanding as it may seem at first yet very fun!
Mark Woodman, a passionate designer, trend-spotter, educator, writer and speaker, designs interiors, consults on diverse product lines, and contributes to the pages and airwaves of media, and the stages of international exhibitions.
Mark consults for individuals and international corporations. including Corian® Design, Mid-Mark, Canadian Tire’s Premier Paint Collection, Blackfin Realty, and more. Mark Woodman’s aesthetic understanding as an interior designer of “real-life” balances his approach to design, color, and product specification. He is former president of Color Marketing Group, serves on various color panels, and is an accredited CEU educator.
A spirited speaker, Mark frequently lectures on color and design and his unique perspective allows him to weave narratives and solutions of design and color from influences as diverse as cuisine and fashion, to home décor.
Dreaming in Pink with Pavo Wong
Her sensitive character clearly comes forward in our conversation as Pavo explains how she picks up sensitivities in her direct environment, how she observes her own behaviour and feelings to understand which design direction to take. She will reveal how she picks the colors for her designs and how texture and fabric come into play. What advise does she have for young fashion designers, how does Pavo translate her fantasy-like dreams into a wearable collection, what is it like to work with your family day in and out and what is next for the Mexican world of fashion?
Pavo and Pamela Wong are the bright entrepreneurs behind the Mexican ready-to-wear fashion brand PINK MAGNOLIA.
It was Pavo, the creative dreamer, who began sewing custom designs during college (CENTRO) and selling them at the first Pink Magnolia small store in Polanco, Mexico City. At only 21 years old, Pavo quickly found herself with a growing reputation and a demand for her eye catching clothing and silhouettes. Not long after, she convinced her sister Pamela to step into a business advisory role, cementing the perfect balance and family legacy.
From there, a succession of opportunities came in the form of a Mercedes Benz Fashion Week runway invitation (one of many), and highly successful collaborations with Disney (like Lanvin, Pink Magnolia was tapped to design a wardrobe in honor of Minnie Mouse’s birthday), and Barbie; propelling the Pink Magnolia brand to global status.
With recent features in WWD, Vogue Mexico & Latin America, Marie Claire Hong Kong, and a spot amongst Forbes Magazine’s “Under 30 Rising Stars,” Pink Magnolia is forging a path for the woman who shines inside and out.
Driving Change through Color with Gustavo Castillo
Gustavo is one of these persons that strongly believes in the fact that color can enact change for the good. In our talk we will talk about the colors of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum and how his latest campaign for June Pride month and now Pride History month had inspired him and his team. He will talk about the great social difficulties in Latin America and how he believes that color can create community, awareness and even empathy. From the March 8th purple coloured protests for women rights in Mexico City to the green coloured scarf movement in Buenos Aires for the legalisation of abortion, color is definitely assisting us in creating change.
Gustavo Castillo is Partner and Creative Director of Estudio CH; a multidisciplinary creative agency part of the Coolhuntermx group, focused on developing brand identities, conceptualisation, execution of experience design and the generation of multimedia content.
Working with accounts in Mexico, Latin America and Europe, such as Comex, Adidas, Reebok, Johnny Walker, Bombay, as well as clients with local and national emerging products. Gustavo has more than 10 years of experience in the creative industry.
His restlessness has led him to diversify and work in other disciplines such as creative direction for streetwear brands and restaurants, art installation (Carnaval de Bahidorá 2020), and most recently the cinematographic direction of the documentary Generación Espontánea.
The Sweet Side of Color with Ramon Morató
Ramon is the first person on my podcast who is not a color expert or a designer, yet his creativity in the world of chocolate and pastry is highly inspiring. He will teach us how he uses color in his daily life, where he finds inspiration for his creations and what food trends he sees coming. We will discuss the challenges of colouring food naturally in a world that requires healthy food yet still wants to indulge. How can color innovate a bonbon, how is the world of desserts changing through our past experiences and what are important life lessons for young chefs out there?
Born in Manlleu, Barcelona into a family with no connections whatsoever to the world of confectionery, after completing his studies, Ramon Morató began his training in a number of different establishments.
He combined his studies with numerous courses offered at the school of the Barcelona Provincial Confectioners’ Association. During a period of stages at several of the best Spanish confectioners, he also went to important schools and technical centers such as ZDS Solingen, Germany and the Richard Conseil School in Lyon, France.
As the result of these years of work, his experience and his ongoing desire for innovation, he published “RAMON MORATO Chocolate”, which won the Best Cookbook in the World on the subject of Chocolate in 2007 at the distinguished Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.
More recently, in December 2016 he published the book “Four in One” together with chefs Raul Bernal, Josep Maria Ribé and Miquel Guarro, on the occasion of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Chocolate Academy in Barcelona.
The possibility of connecting with many professionals in different fields gave him ample knowledge of the sector and helped him to realize his passion for teaching, researching and creating products related with the world of confectionery.
In recent years, this has brought him to teach courses, seminars and conferences all over the world, as well as special endeavors such as a collaboration project with Harvard University through the Alicia Foundation.
Currently he is Creative Director for the Cacao Barry brand.
The Language of Color with Karl Johan Bertilsson
Karl Johan Bertilsson is an intriguing person as you will hear, a great storyteller as he brings us along his journey towards color from a scientific point of view to the psychologic part of color as we will touch upon the topic of color semiotics. He will explain how one can communicate in color, how we may connect to others through color and use color as a an important message. Karl will highlight the fascinating differences in color perception between the European, Latin American, Russian and Chinese market. Teaching color is his true purpose and this comes forward very clearly in our chat.
Karl originally studied Applied Linguistics and he ran his own language school in Mexico for 11 years. In 1997 he moved back to Sweden and switched to the color language of NCS, becoming responsible for establishing NCS world wide. Since 1997, his full focus has been to support different Industries, the Architect and Design Community and Universities with color solutions.
His first Color Trend work shop was with CMG in 2007 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and since then he has worked continuously with colour trends globally, responsible for the NCS colour trends.
In 2016 he established his own design company MRKRL AB, offering design solutions of interiors, products and branding where the aesthetics, the function and meaning of colour always have a central function. His clients are mainly based in China, Europe and Russia. All of this while still consulting for NCS Colour AB as a Creative Director.
Ceaseless Color Passion with Leatrice Eiseman
The international guru of color speaks about her journey to color, how her fame has influenced her career path and how she continues to advocate for color and its correct application. Where does she find her inspiration? How do you research color and what to keep in mind when selecting color? Leatrice talks about the importance of sharing your knowledge, connecting with like-minded and the importance of listening to your creative self as Lee gives some valuable advice. Lastly, she will reveal her new objective for the upcoming years.
Leatrice “Lee” Eiseman is director of the Eiseman Center for Color Information & Training and Executive Director of the Pantone® Color Institute.
Lee is a professional color specialist who is often called the international color guru. Her color expertise is recognised worldwide, particularly as executive director of the Pantone® Color Institute.
Lee has been widely quoted in many publications and recognised by Fortune Magazine and the Wall St. Journal as one of the most influential people in the world of color. She is the author of ten books on color.
Today, she is available as a corporate color consultant and a sought-after speaker. She also offers online courses on color theory and personal image color training.
The Future of Color in Food with Cacao Barry
The Color Authority™ was invited to the World Chocolate Masters podcast of Cacao Barry!
This episode gives exclusive insights from Pastry Chef and Chocolatier Naomi Wahl, Color Designer and Founder of The Color Authority™ Judith van Vliet and Product Decorations Expert at Barry Callebaut Astrid Remaut.
Eating with your eyes is part of every meal, dessert or snack. And color plays a key role in that. If food looks good, we expect it to taste good, and do something good for us. Color also brightens our mood; it can evoke freedom or optimism. It has the power to spread joy and happiness. Even before you have set your teeth in it.
But what does the future of food colouring hold? With customers flocking towards healthy alternatives and being conscious about everything artificial, does food coloring even have a place? Natural colors and flavours seem like the way to go. But where do you start?
And what are their limits?
In my talk with Cacao Barry I talked about the fact that up to 85% of the products we buy are influenced by color making it a powerful tool in the arsenal of artisans and chefs. A clear example that most customers are aware of themselves, is their favourite color. Most people know they are (uncons- ciously or not) drawn to that.
But the use of color goes much further than that. Color influences everyone on a daily basis. It catches your eye, it influences your mood, it has the power to in- crease the attractiveness of your creations, and add freshness and novelty to what you’re making.
What are the future food trends? What colors rule todays' market and what colors will be trending in the world of chocolate and pastry in the near future? Interesting also to know....what colors to avoid in the food industry.
The Fast and Furious with Dominik Eisend
Dominik Eisend steers & drives Merck’s global Pull Marketing activities within surface solutions, always focusing on design & technology at automotive OEMs. He introduces new trends and stylings and listens closely to what is needed in the market to be able to present the right creations at the right time.
Dominik has a background in transportation interior design focusing on materials and CMF. Prior to his role at Merck he has worked for several OEMs such as Mercedes-Benz, AMG and FORD as well as for a German-Chinese automotive start up called BORGWARD where he was leading the Color&Trim design team.
He loves to work with materials or to experiment with new technology to generate material driven design experiences. He looks at color and surfaces to play an incremental role for good product design. In his eyes the material design will play the most influential role in the future of mobility. Dominik currently resides in Stuttgart, Germany.
Exploring Color Cycles with Montaha Hidefi
Montaha will shed a light on her international background and how this has influenced her color career and the many color differences and influences among the regions in the world. She has been tracking color cycles from the early 2000's to better predict future trends and will highlight an interesting cycle that she has seen comeback in this year. Being part of Color Marketing Group and working on the Executive Committee as VP of Color Forecasting is what kept her going in these restrictive times, as she explains the importance of being part of a color tribe and its network.
Montaha Hidefi is a Canada-based, internationally celebrated color archeologist, writer, and public speaker. As a Color Archeologist her role involves examining and observing the past tendencies, to understand the present trends and interpret the future color forecast for business purposes.
With an extensive background in the coatings industry, color forecasting, marketing strategy and international business, she established color forecast palettes and color trend books concepts for many companies around the world.
Montaha lectured about color and trends virtually and in-person in countless trade shows, conferences, and universities, and conducted workshops on color around the world.
She participated and contributed as color forecasting panelist on many global organization committees such as the Mix Magazine, MoOD Textiles Trend Book, and Dutch Design Trend Book. Her articles on color and trends were published in trade publications such as Door Security and Safety, PCI Magazine, Powder Coating, Powder Coated Tough, Product Finishing, Rugs News andDesign, Retail Environment, and PPCJ.
Montaha is the author of Groping for Truth – My Uphill Struggle for Respect (2018), The Role of Color in Design (2019), and co-author of Colour Design: Theories and Applications (2012, and 2017).
She currently serves as VP Color Forecasting at Color Marketing Group.
Unleashing your Creative Self with Marta Aymerich
Such a joy to speak to my energetic friend Marta Aymerich who talks about how she unleashes creativity as a lifestyle coach using of course color. She will explain in detail the methodology she uses in innovation workshops with her clients but also how important enjoying the journey in creative processes truly is in a world where people and businesses are so focused on the end result. Marta unveils her life vision, the societal trends she sees and how happiness is a choice. She wakes up in the morning and draws her to-do lists in color, dresses in the color that best represents her emotions that very day. The biggest purpose in life she says, is to be you, to be yourself.
Marta Aymerich was born in Barcelona where she currently still lives and works. She is an open-minded graphic designer with multidisciplinary skills with more than 30 years of experience, she applies an holistic vision and a sustainable attitude to all her projects. Her inspiration and motivation comes from sharing her passion for art, colour, design and lifestyle, by helping her clients solve challenges in a creative yet practical approach.
Currently she is specialised in creativity and innovation processes as a creative coach.
Brazilian Color Fascination with Patricia Fecci
Patricia brings us on a journey through her professional life in the world of decorative paint in a very specific market, Brazil. What colors define the Brazilians, how do they decorate their homes and what color trends can we expect for Latin America in the next years. She will reveal the Sherwin Williams Company trend research methodology and the importance of collaboration when working on color palettes and harmonisation processes. Although its many difficulties, Brazilians continue to shine and the Patricia her energy during this talk reflects that.
Patrícia Fecci works as Color Marketing and Design Services Manager of the Sherwin-Williams Company in Brazil, one of the largest paint manufacturers and distributors in the world. She is responsible for all color support to company-owned stores, dealers, home centers and assists with color systems, country-specific color palettes, design trends, color merchandising, training and new business development. She is part of the Sherwin-Williams Global Color Forecast Team that tracks and forecasts color trends and design influences for the coatings industry, creating and giving color presentations to architects and designers.
Patrícia is member of the Color Marketing Group Association and Vice-President of PROCOR Brasil Association.
The Natural Flow of Color with Laura Perryman
Laura will give insights in the world of materials and how specifically plastics relate to product design and yes color. She believes the world of color design is adapting to seasonal color flows, letting go of the need to control color in design and letting it flow naturally. An interesting talk about creating natural colors in labs, neuro-aesthetics and where the future of design & color is moving.
Laura is an experienced colour and material designer and trend forecaster, who thinks strategically, has a user-centered mindset and brings inspiration, clear actionable insights, and design directions for brands and organisations. Her ethos is colour and materials should be integral but above all have a positive purpose for applications, products, or services. Working with companies, she navigates future opportunities and creates intelligent, empathetic, and planet-aware palettes and designs, demonstrating aesthetics are key to all levels of experience.
Her in-depth background in colour, knowledge of materials in manufacture, and critical understanding of the trend prediction process have enabled the creation of innovative design directions, brand colour guidelines, and material development for globally renowned and respected companies.
Her work experience encompasses diverse industry sectors, from industrial product design to digital platforms; she has created unique CMF design for future-forward innovation firms in-house at Arrival, Nokia, and Speedo, and has consulted with brands such as 3M Post-it, Sainsbury’s, DuPont Corian, and HP, to create category leading colour identities for new products. She’s led strategic future forecasting projects for clients such as Panasonic Europe, Antron, Comex, and Procter & Gamble and created engaging and insightful reports for trend forecasting agencies including WGSN and Beautystreams.
Laura currently directs Colour of Saying, a UK-based CMF Design Studio, focused on future-forward circular and emotionally-connected colour and material design, insights, and experiences for brands and organisations. Most recently showcasing an exhibition and series of workshops entitled ‘Colour Via:’ on how colour can drive and be an agent for change in advancing sustainable design practices. She is currently on the board of trustees for The Colour in Design Awards, a non-profit organisation that supports new graduates and designers to explore colour further in their practice.
Laura is the author of The Colour Bible, published Autumn 2021, a succinct book covering 100 significant colours and their pertinence and potential for use in the world around us.
Sharing the Love for Color with Peggy Van Allen
An educational talk with Peggy on how she observes human behavior and translates changes in her surroundings to color palettes, the importance of sharing knowledge in the field of color and design to inspire others, how you communicate color digitally in current times with clients, how being President of Color Marketing Group impacted her professional career and network and how her view on the importance of philanthropy in multiple areas.
Peggy Van Allen is a designer and color anthropologist with a background in graphic design and experience in trend research, visual merchandising, and palette development. Her unique skillset allows her to visually communicate the complexities of color in a way that is both inspirational and educational. Peggy has a firm understanding that trend forecasting is integral to the success of design and color palette development.
Peggy has been an active member of Color Marketing Group (CMG) for over 20 years. She has served on numerous committees, facilitated workshops, and served two terms on the Board of Directors. Following two years as Vice-President of Color Forecasting, Peggy was appointed as CMG’s 2020-2022 President.
Color Marketing Group, a not-for-profit, international association of color design professionals, is a forum for the exchange of all things color. Members represent a broad spectrum of designers, marketers, color scientists, consultants, educators, and artists.
As a color anthropologist, Peggy studies human behavior in order to understand the why, what and when of a target consumer’s color preferences. Corporate clients, in the home products industry, utilize Van Allen’s color expertise on projects ranging from large-scale paint color displays to smaller color line updates, and material color offerings such as building sheets, grout, and roofing.
Contactless Color with Justine Fox
How is the city of London changing its colors and what has to change? Justine talks about her passion for urban planning and architecture and how she works with architects to apply color more purposefully. She highlights the importance of child-friendliness in urban areas and how her new project gets children and entire communities active together again in a playful and of course colorful way.
Justine is a consultant with a unique understanding of applied colour psychology, colour trend, insights and colour ergonomics with futures thinking. Her multi-disciplinary perspective on colour creates engagement with people through product development, social content, publications and immersive installations. She is focused on bringing awareness to all stakeholders within urban planning and architecture on the considered use of colour to help improve sustainability, inclusivity, community and safety for all people who live and work in the built environment.
Calzada Fox is a colour consultancy with a difference, combining strategic vision, creativity and innovation. We work across all sectors empowering our clients with innovative ideas which are relevant to their business and stakeholders.
Customer Chemistry with Anja Gaede
A fascinating talk about Scandinavian colors and trends, how different these are from colors in other parts of the world, how sustainability and regenerated materials are taking over the world of not just fashion and interior design, but also other industries. Anja moreover explains how our personal preferences, our taste, is related to our very own chemistry.
Anja Bisgaard Gaede, the founder of SPOTT, has an MA degree in communication and specialised in fashion, consumerism, and experience economy. Besides numerous presentations, product development cases, strategy sessions and consultations over the past 14 years, she has also published the Danish book Skab god kemi med dine kunder – oplevelsesøkonomi i detailhandlen (Customer Chemistry – experience economy in retail) and edited the anthology Fashion Film and Transmedia.
SPOTT trends & business provides Scandinavian lifestyle brands with consumer insight, trend and colour forecast for spot on business development. SPOTT creates the essential links between future trends, consumer behavior and business. This calls for a new and innovative approach where neuroscience, trend forecasting and commercial experience is combined in turning trends into business for Scandinavian lifestyle clients. They range from fashion and design companies, city development, creative colleges, retail, lifestyle organisations and media companies.
The Future is Here with Bridget Frizzie
In this episode you will discover what a futurist is and how Bridget herself visions the future in the world of events. She will illuminate us on her colorful Colombian upbringing and how that transformed her desire to create in beauty, bringing along her audience in her dream world of storytelling.
Bridget comes to the table with over 20 years of experience as a provocative lifestyle designer, handling everything from event ideation, interior styling, color customization, hospitality design and visual merchandising, as well as an accomplished floral designer. She is Creative Director and senior strategist of Kehoe Designs, a full service event decor and production company. She is a board member of the international association for Color Marketing Group. Her skill set includes blending a multicultural background, a passion for travel and a relentless pursuit of trend spotting. Her default is a nearly obsessive curiosity with future trends, color forecasting and scenario planning. She’s a patient hunter with a meticulous eye for finding the subtle nuances in design and innovation, and envisioning how they’re indicators of what’s next. Bridget’s style of thinking melds together seemingly unrelated facts, ideas and nuggets of information; result is trend spotting that is both inspiring and relatable.
The Smell of Wool with Alicia Keshishian
Alicia will bring us along her journey as a rug designer and artist, she will explain the process of designing a handmade-to-order carpets by closely observing her customer and how her designs are translated into beautiful natural rugs in Nepal. We will discuss the difficulties of keeping creative juices flow in current times and what her point of view on color trends are.
Alicia is an award-winning designer with more than 40 years of professional experience as an art director, graphic designer, surface designer, illustrator, and color consultant. She holds a BFA in Design/Illustration from CCAC and was an artist-in-residence at The Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina. She currently produces a line of custom, handmade-to-order carpets and is a popular speaker, presenter and teacher on design and color. Alicia has owned and operated her own textile business as well as designed for various industries and corporations such as Papyrus, Bloomingdale’s, CBS Publications, New York Magazine, Parenting Magazine, Health/Hippocrates Magazine, Working Woman Magazine, Premiere Magazine, Image Magazine, RCA Records, American Craft Council. Her true loves have always been color and texture. Alicia comes from a long line of accomplished artists and her emergence as a rug maker is thanks to family: her Armenian-born grandfather, uncles and cousin are renowned Oriental rug authorities and collectors and that is why Carpets and color have been part of Alicia’s life as long as she can remember: the smell of the wool, the touch of the fibers, the variety of patterns all are in her DNA.
“Excellent series about color. It’s a complex topic and Judith approaches it from a variety of angles with her guests. Always entertaining and insightful. I look forward to listening to each episode and learning something new about color and the visionaries in the color world.”
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