Commercial Colour Consulting
Colour Consultants can play an important role in choosing colour for commercial spaces. For Toronto Painting Projects, COMPASE is using the Colour Consulting of Sylvia O’ Brien.
Sylvia is a colour consultant and creative director of Colour Theory. Recently, we had a chance to interview Sylvia.
This is part one, of a 2 part interview.
Sylvia, I suppose the choice of colours for commercial spaces depends on the clients’ needs & the intended use of the space. Any industry specific general considerations?
SYLVIA :
There certainly are George. The nature of the project definitely directs the type of colour range used.
Is it corporate? ….care giving? ….retail?
All of these projects get a unique treatment.
Here are a few examples of what needs consideration:
RESTAURANTS
The 2 key ingredients in colour selection for restaurants are establishing image & supporting function. Image / creating an experience through atmosphere
Function / colour that whets appetite & good conversation.
Dining areas require different colour treatment than prep areas.
The restaurant experience, & even the length of stay can be influenced by colour usage.
OFFICE SPACE
For office interiors branding & function are the considerations. Part of a successful outcome is understanding how each space is used & by who. Colour can increase (or decrease) productivity… and therefore, the bottom line.
Careful consideration of colour pays off in more ways than one.
CONDO COMMON SPACES
Colour trend is important for these spaces— not the trend of the moment, but a general treatment that will be accepted easily by most homeowners & new home buyers (a trend that can work now, & 7 to 10 years from now). A key factor, however, is making sure the colour range used is sympathetic to the architecture (ie. Do they tell the same ‘story’?).
HOTEL SPACES
A recent trend in hotel interiors is to incorporate a ‘homier’ less institutional feel, reflecting local character to enhance the experience for the guest.
Large chain hotels are an exception to this as their branding is strengthened by their familiarity, whether in Ottawa or Paris.
Variable colour nuance is required in each area . The lobby (the jewel at the centre of the hotel environment) is treated differently than the communal halls, private rooms or restaurant. Each colour has a job to do.
RETAIL
Colour in retail should reflect the store’s image, especially at the entry & point of purchase. Colour should create excitement & support the brand of the store. However, the sales floor is a backdrop to accommodate the many changing colours of merchandise that will channel through it. In a large retail facility colour coding can help direct the customer, streamlining the shopping process and minimizing confusion.
So George, there is a brief outline on the things to consider . Of course there are no ‘ultimate ‘ answers as each project is unique!
Sylvia O’Brien / Colour Theory www.colourtheory.net
If you need commercial colour consulting, please call 416 479-0131 Sylvia will help you with your colours.
