The Voice of Color
Fitzpatrick--It’s not often the question preceding a paint selection is “How would your friends and family describe you?” followed by ten statements such as “Trustworthy and calm, a good communicator,” or “Sophisticated and straightforward, a purist.” (Neither one of those describe me, by the way). But at Pittsburgh Paints new interactive website, The Voice of Color www.thevoiceofcolor.com you’re asked all kinds of crazy things in a clever little Rorschach game that attempts to match your style with one of their new color families. It’s a lot of fun. I’ve been doing it over several months, since Pittsburgh Paints’ artistic director, Josette Buisson, came to town and gave an excellent talk. It’s interesting to watch your answers change, depending on what time of day you’re taking the test, what your stress level is, even how hungry you are (some choices involve photographs of cake!).
As a designer, I become weary of color. Every month articles in shelter and fashion mags tout the “new colors.” Workshops are held all over the globe to discern the new trends. Countless really bad books have been written on the subject. For me it’s the hardest element of design to do well and the thing I’m most asked for. “Will you come over to my house and give me some ideas?” usually means pick colors, and everyone seems to think it’s as easy as pulling ye olde Crayola out of the box.
I hate picking paint colors. I’m not good at it. I once sat in my own newly-sheet rocked master bedroom for three hours in 110 degree heat with no air conditioning (supposed to hasten my decision) trying to decide on a color for my own bedroom. I cried.
What I loved about Josette is she said she’s asked the same thing by journalists every season. “What are the new colors? What are the new colors?” She responds, “There are no new colors. They’ve all always been there!”
As a designer, I become weary of color. Every month articles in shelter and fashion mags tout the “new colors.” Workshops are held all over the globe to discern the new trends. Countless really bad books have been written on the subject. For me it’s the hardest element of design to do well and the thing I’m most asked for. “Will you come over to my house and give me some ideas?” usually means pick colors, and everyone seems to think it’s as easy as pulling ye olde Crayola out of the box.
I hate picking paint colors. I’m not good at it. I once sat in my own newly-sheet rocked master bedroom for three hours in 110 degree heat with no air conditioning (supposed to hasten my decision) trying to decide on a color for my own bedroom. I cried.
What I loved about Josette is she said she’s asked the same thing by journalists every season. “What are the new colors? What are the new colors?” She responds, “There are no new colors. They’ve all always been there!”
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