Has Lighting Switched-Off Your Money?

Designing with Color & Light

By, Denise Turner, ASID, CID, CMG

Color Turners

Prior to my keynote presentation, this week in Helsinki at LOHAS Pack, I had the pleasure of meeting leaders, in the food manufacturing and packaging industry. In reviewing their packaging, the majority of them had a common challenge…color and light.

While their product’s designs were perfectly fine, the lighting in the grocery stores where their products were on display was not. This article meant to help businesses wrestling with the same challenges.

Have you ever designed a package, applied cosmetic or dressed yourself under one lighting condition and everything looked perfectly fine? But when you looked at the same colors in a different lighting environment they looked horrible? Most likely you experienced a color and light phenomenon, called Metamerism. This happens when two colors appear to match one light source but not in another. This is due to applying different light energies to two colors with different components or pigments.

Light Sources

When selecting colors it’s imperative that you consider the light source, in which the design will ultimately be displayed in. Natural daylight (morning, noon, sunset and the time of year) fluorescent, incandescent and LED affect colors differently. Be sure to view your package designs in their intended position, because colors look vertically and horizontally.

Lighting Conditions
Fluorescent Lighting have rapidly replaced incandescent, saving consumers a bundle on their utility bills. But they’re not all are created equal. The lighting industry has been making great strides in improving the quality of fluorescent lighting, however there’s still work to be done.

LED
LED (Light Emitting Diodes) are lighting the way of the future. Everyone’s on the cut cost-cutting and saving the planet band wagon. It’s important to use our resources wisely. It’s equally important that quality lighting isn’t sacrificed in the process, because poor quality lighting will adversely impact your sales.

CRI

Light quality is measured by CRI (Color Rendering Index).The higher the CRI number for a lamp, the more it renders a “true” color in an environment. The CRI measurement for outdoors is 100. If quality lighting with a higher CRI than CFL is your priority, LED are for you. LEDs have a longer life span than and fluorescents and emit more light per watt. But here’s the catch. To replace your standard light bulb, with an LED will put a dent in your pocket book (about $69.00 USD each). On the up side, you won’t have to replace it for years.

Color Turners-Turns The Art Of Color Into Profit

We help businesses and manufacturers make the best decisions where color choices are critical. By providing accurate and tangible ways to significantly reduce your business and manufacturing risks and turn that knowledge into increased sales and customer satisfaction. http://www.colorturners.com/

denise@colorturners.com

Fashion & Architecture

Retro Color & Design Trends

By, Denise Turner, ASID, CID, CMG

Color Turners

Historically trends in clothing fashion, architecture, home décor, transpiration and even music occur simultaneously. Wars, elections and the economy affect colors and trends.

For example, roughly between two world wars (1920-1939) we were seeking stream-lined elegance; we were enthralled with transportation and movement. From this the Art Deco period emerged. Designs and motifs of this era mimicked, stream lined ships and planes. This period affected architecture, furniture, sculpture, clothing, jewelry, graphic design and the entire fine and applied arts.

The post war of the 1950s propelled conformist ideals, for a better life in suburbia. We were content living in our little cookie-cutter pink houses with white picket fences and having role model families like Ozzie and Harriet, and the Cleavers. There was a chicken in every pot and fresh baked cookies for dessert. Life was simple; everything finished on a positive note. History continues to repeat itself. Although the 1950s was much a façade, we still hold the nostalgic ideals of a happier time in our countries’ history. For this reason there is a huge retro 1950s. When trends repeat themselves, they come back with a new spin. Just look at the “new” movies, tv shows, clothing, cars, clothing, home décor and colors; they are retro-1950s and retro-1970s.

The nostalgia trend continues to gain in popularity. We are gravitating to optimistic, feel-good colors and familiar designs that lift our spirits. Colors that represent escapism, nostalgia and fantasy are crucial to our wellbeing. Gone are the days of the highly polished glitz and glam. We now prefer down-to-earth authentic colors and textures that mimic nature and our past.

By in large, we are adding splashes of accent colors on less expensive décor items such as paint and accessories. For long-term investment items such as furniture and cabinetry we are opting for neutral colors, which are versatile and have staying power.

http://cloverfield.wikia.com/wiki/ChryslerBuilding
http://artdecoblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/pictorial-review-patterns-1925.html
http://www.raftertales.com/home-design/home-architecture/ranch-style-home-architecture-and-design-features/
http://vintage-london-rose.blogspot.com/





COLOR TURNERS turns the art of color into profit
We help businesses and manufacturers make the best decisions where color choices are critical, by providing accurate and tangible ways to significantly reduce their business and manufacturing risks. http://www.colorturners.com denise@colorturners.com

Color Hasn’t Always Been Just A Pretty Face

 Color Therapy Then & Now

Denise Turner, ASID, CID, CMG

Color Turners

Many of us take for granted that color has always been with us to adorn our homes and bodies, but that hasn’t always been the case. In ancient times, man had symbolism, mystery and magic in mind when using color. It wasn’t until the Renaissance period that color changed from sacred formulas that were deeply rooted in mysticism, to the artist’s individual expression of beauty. Artists such as, Sandro Botticellin and Leonardo Da Vinci became famous during this period and brought another dimension to the way we perceive color. http://www.paintingsite.net/history-renaissance.html

Sense the beginning of recorded time (and probably sooner) man understood color’s healing powers. Ancient Chinese, Egyptian, Indian, Greek and Roman physicians revered color. They diagnosed through it and prescribed organic and inorganic medicines and rituals. Though Egyptian medicine dates from about 2900 B.C., best known and most important pharmaceutical record is the "Papyrus Ebers" (1500 B.C.), a collection of 800 prescriptions, mentioning 700 drugs. The document revealed that ancient Egyptian physicians prescribed colored minerals, such as red and yellow ochre, malachite and red. http://dianabuja.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/papyrus_ebers.png

Hippocrates, the Father of Western Medicine was very much aware of color’s holistic powers. He incorporated Color Therapy into his practice. Hippocrates painted his treatment rooms in healing hues and like his predecessors, he used colored ointments and salves as remedies.

TECHNOLOGY-COLOR & LIGHT THERAPY
Light plays a vital role in our lives; without it all life ceases to exist. Light equally plays a vital role with color; without it all color ceases to exist. Many of the ancient principles of Color and Light Therapy are used today, in modern medicine. Color or Chroma Therapy is a form of Energy Medicine.

USED BY: 

• Pediatricians to treat neonatal, infants with jaundice. Babies are bathed in blue light, which helps bring them back to a healthy state.
• Dermatologists to treat acne, rashes, psoriasis and other skin disorders.
• Mental health specialists to treat individuals with SAD (Seasonal Affect Disorders), a form of depression. Therapy helps them restore and retain energy and fight winter blues. SAD is often associated with shortened daylight hours in winter months of northern latitudes.
• Sleep specialist doctors treat insomnia sleep-related disorders.

• Commercial airlines to help reduce jet lag in passengers, on long international flights.

Researchers have two primary beliefs why Color and Light Therapy is an effective treatment for SAD, depression, insomnia and jet lag patients. One-it triggers the brain's production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter related to mood disorders. Two-it relieves depression and jet lag by resetting the body's circadian rhythm, or inner biological clock.

Here’s an amazing product, that I’m proud to be a part of. I consulted with Mr.Steam to help design and market their Steamtherapy©. This Chroma, Aroma and Music Therapy, steam shower enhances your breathing exercises, leaving you with a sense of wellness. The scent and color evokes moods and heighten your emotions. http://mrsteam.com/steamtherapy/index.html

COLOR TURNERS helps businesses and manufacturers make the best decisions where color choices are critical. We provide accurate and tangible ways to significantly reduce your business and manufacturing risks and turn your knowledge into increased sales and customer satisfaction. http://www.colorturners.com denise@colorturners.com

Tints, Shades & Tones

Does This Color Match?

How many times do you hear “I want this shade of color” or “I like this shade but darker or lighter”?

Tints, shades and tones are fairly simple color terms; however they are often used incorrectly. Just listen to the countless, misused color terms you’ll hear in TV commercials promoting cosmetics, paint, clothing and cars. It’s no wonder they’re used incorrectly.

So what’s the big deal about using the right color terms? Here’s why! If you’re attempting to communicate with someone who's creating a particular color, you need to speak the same language. So I’m here to set it straight.

If a color is made lighter by adding white, the result is called a tint. If black is added, the darker version is called a shade. And if gray is added, the result is called a tone.

Another term that is misused is when looking at a certain color and asking… “I want another shade” which they think means a different hue of a color like a blue compared to a blue green. Another shade would be a darker version of a color as a shade is a color plus black or minus black. Here’s another commonly misused color phrase that you’ll hear when someone’s attempting to coordinate fabrics....“does this match?” The majority of the times they really mean.... “do these colors coordinate?” To use the word “match” indicates that they are the same exact color.

Tint

Tone

Shade



COLOR TURNERS helps businesses and manufacturers make the best decisions where color choices are critical. We provide accurate and tangible ways to significantly reduce your business and manufacturing risks and turn your knowledge into increased sales and customer satisfaction. http://www.colorturners.com  denise@colorturners.com 
 

Color Without Light

NKBA Northern California members defy the law of physics

What to you get when you put 90+ interior designers in a showroom and one colorist who’sthere to present a color seminar and all of the power goes out?

You get “Color Without Light”

In Color Theory 101, we learned that color is basically a matter of light and without light there is no color. But that’s not completely true and here’s why.

Last week I flew up to Oakland, to present the 2012 Kitchen & Bath Color Trends to the NKBA, Northern California Chapter. A one hour flight; one night in a hotel and spend the evening with my fellow California interior designers. It sounded easy, right? Wrong!

When we arrived at the Caesarstone show room, all of the power was out. Apparently there was a huge accident, which knocked out all of the electricity in the area. With a building full of guests and no power, to run the projector, pc and microphone, this had the potential of being a complete disaster.

As a professional speaker, who travels all over the world presenting color seminars, I’ve had my share of mishaps. Such as:

Forgetting about Day Lights Savings Time and missing my flight home. Then having to wait stand by for 9 hours, 59 minutes and 33 seconds to only to get the most miserable seat on the plane. But happy to get it.

Flying 20+ hours into Asia, crossing multiple time zones and jet lagged. Then having my clients inform me, at the airport while loading my luggage and my weary body into their car, that I had a TV media interview in two hours. What the_ _ _ _ !!! Then being articulate, polished and awake enough to conduct the interview.

Presenting in a haunted conference hall, seriously! Voices (other than mine) came out of the speakers; power point slides advanced, when and where they wanted to and lights kept going on and off. After words, I explained to the event planner. She replied, “We’ve been having weird happenings in that room all week and thought sense you’re speaking on Feng Shui Color &  Energy and being from California you’re use to weird things and wouldn’t mind that room.” Thanks! Put me in the worst room, without warning; then insult me and all my fellow Californians.

But nothing could have prepared me for Thursday’s event. Sure, with all my vocal training my voice is strong enough to fill a large room without a microphone. Not being able to show the colors was a primary concern. Heck! That’s what I was there for.

Most importantly my concern was, not being able to deliver the attendees the excellent presentation that they deserved. I suggested that we do this another time. But NKBA’s leadership and the members refused to give up.

While the elegant guests were sipping wine by candle light in the show room, Adam, Caesarstone's show room manager and his astonishing team were working like stealths behind the scenes. Immediately after the power went out, they obtained an electrical generator and began pulling power cords into the building.

Sense failure was not an option and we were behind schedule, I began the first part of the presentation backlit by candle light, while running my pc off its battery. By the time I started showing the actual colors, the power went on. Thank god!

You see, with the right attitude and with enough determination you can defy the law of physics and see color without light. The NKBA Northern California members proved that it can be done.

COLOR TURNERS helps businesses and manufacturers make the best decisions where color choices are critical. We provide accurate and tangible ways to significantly reduce your business and manufacturing risks and turn your knowledge into increased sales and customer satisfaction. http://www.colorturners.com denise@colorturners.com

Denise Turner winner, California Paint’s Color Challenge

California Paint’s Color Challenge had an overwhelming response from the design community. Hundreds of schemes were submitted, by interior designers and colorists from the US and Canada. Contestants were allowed to submit as many as five interiors and five exteriors. Denise Turner submitted five of each; she tied for the most winning color schemes (6).

Denise’s work is part of the 78 winning California Paint’s Color Challenge, which are on display in the ON LINE GALLERY and DESIGNER SELECTIONS color cards.
http://www.californiapaints.com/DesignerGallery/Gallery.html

Denise Turner, ASID, CID, CMG is an award winning international colorist, Certified Interior, color & design trend forecaster, speaker, author and president of the Color Turners.

COLOR TURNERS turns the art of color into profit
Specializing in home fashion, building materials and health industry.


Colorist and author of Kelly Moore Paint’s 2011-2012 Renewal Palette
Colorist, author, presenter and media spokesperson for Nippon Paint 2009, 2010 Asian Pacific Color Trends:
• “It’s All About Days Filled With Colour”
• “As The Colours Turn, Scintillating Colour Knowledge”


As a high-energy, result-oriented speaker, Denise is passionate about inspiring her audience, so that they quickly grasp the importance of color and how it affects their businesses’ bottom line. Her seminars are customized for manufacturers, businesses, associations and CEU for interior designers, architects, builders and homeowners.

As a spokesperson for ASID National, CMG Expert Speaker’s Bureau and as the Contributing Color & Design Trend Editor for idS Magazine, Malaysia, Denise regularly appears in press. Winner of California Paint’s Color Challenge and her redesign of an ADA-compliant master bath won the HGTV Designer’s Challenge. Denise is A CMG Chair holder, ASID professional member, former ASID chapter president and UCLA graduate.


COLOR TURNERS helps businesses and manufacturers make the best decisions where color choices are critical. We provide accurate and tangible ways to significantly reduce your business and manufacturing risks and turn your knowledge into increased sales and customer satisfaction. http://www.colorturners.com  denise@colorturners.com

Yoga Makes Your Chakras Spin With Delight

Energy Yoga Mats To Enhance Your Workout

There’s a good reason you feel like a god or goddess when you walk out of a yoga studio and it’s not because you’ve finally mastered the ability to twist your body into a human pretzel and actually like it. Here’s why. Yoga and other mind-quieting techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing, visualization, qui gong and tai chi can work as effectively as many medications at treating your ailments. “We now have compelling scientific proof that the mind can heal the body,’ says Herbert Benson, M.D., director of emeritus of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Brain Expander

Bad news! Your brain shrinks as you age, but here’s the good news; yoga can prevent it from happening. In a Neuro Report study, researchers discovered that the prefrontal cortex and the anterior right insula, areas linked to attention and sensory processing, where healthy and thicker in those who meditate. “It’s like exercise for the brain, making it stronger” says Rick Hanson, Ph.D., neuropsychologist in San Rafael California and author of the Buddha’s Brain.

Stress Buster

The deep breathing and visualization in Yoga promotes relaxation and suppress the release of stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. It also lowers the blood pressure, slows the heart rate and eases digestion.

Immune Enhancer
The relaxation response causes cells to release micropuffs of nitric oxide, a gas that dilutes blood vessels and stabilizes the immune system. According to Dr. Benson’s report in the Medical Science Monitor, mind/body methods works as well as prescription drugs designed to do the same thing, but without the negative side effects.

Now, if all these reasons don’t convince you to grab your yoga mat and run to your nearest yoga studio, then consider this. Those Downward Dogs, Sun Salutations and Cobras are the secret to sexy curves and a strong, lean body.

For everything I’ve mentioned and then some, you can find me at the gym five mornings a week doing Yoga, Pilates and cardio. Yes I’m one of “those people”, the gym jock-ets who are always looking for new ways to kick up their technique. In doing so, I discovered a beautiful line of yoga mats, by Donna Johansen at Inspired Art Décor, that allow me to hold poses longer, calm my mind faster and maximizes my workout. The thicker matt eases the bodies’ floor contact making it ideal for anyone with knee and elbow issues.

I work out on the gorgeous cobalt blue chakra mat. Chakra or energy center, a Sanscrit word meaning “Wheel of Light”. It refers to the body’s seven major energy centers that are positioned along the spinal column. Beginning with the Root Chakra at the base of spine and continuing up to the Crown Chakra on top of the head. Each chakra has a unique function that corresponds to a specific color. These energy portholes regulate the flow of energy in and out of our body. These energy yoga mats, called "NRG Mats" assists in rebalancing the body to its optimum wellness. They’re a must-have for all Yoga and Pilates enthusiasts.

Donna Johansen, an NCIDQ health care interior designer of 20 years, trained energy healer and artist. She creates healing paintings for health care facilities and spas. In her recent collection of yoga mats, Johansen incorporates the vibration of sacred geometric patterns, such as mandalas and healing Sanskrit symbols to bring in positive healing energy to maximize your yoga experience. http://www.inspiredartdecor.com/