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Author Archives: admin
Happy International Colour Day!
OK, so full disclaimer here, the 21st March isn’t officially recognised as International Colour Day, the AIC (International Colour Association) have had quite a long ongoing process with UNESCO to have this day officially recognised.
But while we’re waiting, there’s no harm in celebrating it, right?
Continue readingBoys can like pink too
“Why do I have to dress in green and blue and grey, when I love red and pink and purple?” These are the words from 9 year old Ace, son of UK TV presenter Emma Willis.
Emma admits on national TV she was ‘overwhelmed’ by the reaction to her son wearing pink – ‘He’s just my son in a pink top.’
Continue readingHome Grown Next Era Podcast – Decoding Colour
Another week another colourful podcast to share with you.
I was invited by the prestigious Home Grown Club to give a talk at their members only event this month. Given the world has gone online this event is now a podcast. Good news is they have opened up their array of talks to the world which means you’re now able to come along!
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The Future of Trends – join the discussion
If you were planning on attending Decorex London this year, like every other major design industry event it’s now a virtual event. The good news is, no matter where you are in the world you’ll be able to watch the panel discussions and talks that you would normally only be able to see if you attended the live event in person.
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Shaping the future using colour psychology and behavioural design
One of the exciting projects I’m working on at the moment is a collaboration with Boxx Creative and Michelin star chef Oliver Marlow to envisage a 2035 dining experience.
It’s for this year’s Sleep & Eat virtual show and I recently wrote an article for them on the five reasons why colour psychology and behavioural design will shape the future of hospitality.
My article was first featured on their website but I’m sharing it with you here as it gives an insight into how colour and design will be shaping our future not just in the hospitality industry but many other industries as well.
Here are the five ways that colour and design psychology will be impacting our future.
Continue readingEntries now open for Colour and Design Awards 2020
If you’re a UK design student and colour and design is your thing, if it’s your passion and you were all set to show off your work at New Designers this year, then you’ll want to enter the COLOUR IN DESIGN Awards or if you know someone who is a design student let them know about these awards.
Now in its 3rd year these prestigious awards are the passion project of Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director Dulux UK who is a true champion for up and coming design talent.
Marianne created the Colour in Design Awards to recognise and reward outstanding and innovative use of colour in design by new designers at the beginning of their creative careers.
Continue reading2020 Colour Vision: seeing colour in a new light
Every culture and civilization has wondered about it. From the earliest humans to the present day, it has fascinated and perplexed us, amazed and delighted us. We are surrounded by it in the natural world and marvel at the change of seasons for all its glorious wonder. It’s so innately a part of us that often we don’t even consciously realise that it is informing hundreds if not thousands of our daily decisions.
continuing readingChristmas Gift List 2019
Oh how does Christmas seem to come around so quickly. Do you get caught out too?! If you’re still looking for those last minute Christmas gifts then search no further. Here are three Christmas lists* compiled from people I know personally to make finding those gifts easier for you. So if you are looking for unusual gifts for business colleagues, colour lovers and those who are eco-conscious then you’ll love their carefully curated lists which are full of inspiration. And you’ll see I’ve snuck in a forth list at the end…
1. Gifting for Entrepreneurs
Fiona Humberstone of The Brand Stylist has curated the most stylish and beautiful list of gifts for entrepreneurs, each having a link to business as she says she wants “it to feel special, spoiling and utterly thoughtful.” And it certainly does that. Take a look at the gorgeous gift ideas over here.
2. Christmas gifts for colour lovers
Sophie Robinson is back with her Christmas gift guide of her selection of the best gifts for the “die-hard colour loving fanatics” among us. I love that Sophie has in amongst her colourful selection chosen small brands, makers and creatives as well as high street favourites. Check out Sophie’s colourful guide here.
3. The Smug Vegan (and eco friendly) Christmas Gift Guide
Tamsin Fox-Davies’ is the creator of Smug Vegan and in her words “buying Christmas gifts for vegans can be tough if you’re looking for something a bit more unusual or interesting than a tofu selection box” – oh I love her humour. So she’s put together a list of some of the nicest animal-free and animal-friendly gifts that are also eco-friendly that she could find and most are from small independent businesses which I just love. To check out her wonderful curated list of goodies head over here.
4. The Sunday Times Top 10 Design Books 2019
Imagine my utter surprise and delight to find The Little Book of Colour made it onto The Sunday Times Top 10 Design Books for 2019 citing it as “An unputdownable treatise on the science and psychology of colour.” I’ll take that, thank you! What an honour.
If you haven’t got yourself a copy yet and if you’re like me and buy yourself a Christmas present then this is the perfect gift. You can drop a big hint to Santa, I’m sure it’s not too late, or if you know a colour lover then this is a great stocking filler. Head over here to order your copy!
Wishing you a wonderful colourful Christmas celebrating with friends and loved ones and may it be filled with happiness and joy!
Love,
Karenx
* If you’re wondering why I know about these lists it’s because they have all kindly included my book.
Colour Collective UK In Conversation with Karen Haller
In collaboration with Colour Collective UK, Forum Books are delighted to welcome Karen Haller to discuss The Little Book of Colour on Monday 21st October at The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle UK.
I’m really looking forward to heading up to Newcastle later this month. The award-winning indie bookstore Forum Books in conjunction with the UK’s largest independent commercial art gallery The Biscuit Factory are hosting my book event and if that wasn’t special enough, Colour Collective UK chair, artist and good friend Susi Bellamy will be in conversation with me to discuss my recently released book The Little Book of Colour – How to Use the Psychology of Colour to Transform Your Life.
Susi will be chatting with me about my colour journey, the inspiration behind writing the book and my vision to create a colour revolution.
Time: Doors open 6.30 pm // Talk begins at 7 pm // Book Signing from 8 pm
Books available to purchase from arrival. And if you already have a copy of book, bring it with you and I’ll be happy to sign it.
Location: The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle UK
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Karen x
100% Design Colour & Wellbeing panel discussion
Wellbeing – the buzzword on everyone’s radar. But what does it really mean to the creative community who are designing the future? Can intelligent use of colour unlock greater potential for the positive health and mental wellbeing of building occupants in a fast-paced always on digital world and if so how?
If this sounds like a topic that you’re interested in and want to understand more about then head over to 100% Design, Olympia London this Thursday 19th September at 12:00 – 12:45 to the auditorium where Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director Dulux will be chairing a lively discussion with panelists Jim Ashley, Lighting designer; Jacqui Smith, Dementia and Care home designer and myself, Karen Haller Applied Colour Psychology Specialist. There will be a Q&A session at the end where you can get your questions answered.
Entry into 100% Design
Entry to 100% Design is free for trade professionals as long as you register in advance. If not then it’s £15 on the door. General public tickets are available for £15 and student tickets are available for £10.
100% Design is on 18 – 21 September 2019
Date: 19 September at 12:00 – 12:45
Location: Olympia, London
Looking forward to seeing you there,
Karen
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Launching The Little Book of Colour!
Today is the day! My book The Little Book of Colour – How to use the Psychology of Colour to Transform Your Life is out there in the world.
It’s been almost two years since Penguin first approached me, but looking back now I can see this book has been a lifetime in the making.
Starting a Colour Revolution
Even though I’ve been working, teaching and talking about colour for over 10 years now, I’m still fascinated by its ability to influence how we think, how we feel and the choices that we make. And it’s definitely what surprises people the most when I share about colour – that this simple thing has the power to do all that, in an instant!
And that’s why I wrote The Little Book of Colour, so that you could hold in your hands a guidebook for how you can use the power of colour psychology to transform your life.
With this book my vision is to help you and the world fall back in love with colour again. I want you to know you can’t get it wrong and that colour is there for you to play with and enjoy.
With this book my mission is to show how you can use colour to express who you are and how you are feeling so you can experience a greater sense of authentic self and wellbeing.
With this book my wish for you is to celebrate the joy, fun and happiness that colour brings into every moment of our lives and use it to have more fun and feel more alive.
Time to celebrate!
Tonight is the launch party hosted by the wonderful Minotti London at their London W1 showroom where 100 guests, ranging from clients, colleagues, friends and colour lovers (coming from across the UK and abroad) to celebrate with me. I’m really looking forward to having Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director for Dulux holding an “in conversation…” style discussion with me which is sure to be inspiring and insightful and given that we are great friends also lots of fun and laughter. And of course there’ll be bubbles, canapés and colourful experiences – they are in for a treat!
Want your own copy of The Little Book of Colour?
If you would like to buy your very own copy of my book then head over to thelittlebookofcolour.com website – which also launched today. Yes it’s a big day for launches.
That’s it for now… I’m off to get ready!
Wishing you a colourful day!
Karenx
Beyond the colour wheel talk – Minotti London – 2nd May 2019
One of the things I love about colour is the way we relate, experience and use it, is continually evolving.
I’ve noticed in particular over the past year or so a huge increase in the conversations, discussions and debates at design shows, exhibitions and in the media on colour. And if you’ve been following my blogs, articles and attended any of my talks over the years, you’ll know that I’ve been advocating how colour has a life way beyond the colour wheel.
So when Minotti London (luxury Italian lifestyle brand) asked me if I would be one of their guest speakers for their Beyond the Colour Wheel panel, it was like colourful music to my ears.
For this colour discussion, they have gathered some really fantastic speakers, one I’ve met and the other two I’m really excited to meet in person and hear what they have to say on their specialty area of colour. And I’ll be sharing my views on applied colour psychology and how we are ready to embrace and use colour beyond solely colour wheel application.
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