Inside the Mind of a Color Expert: Q+A with Jennifer Guerin

Color is a discovery we make early in life. From hypnotically-rotating mobiles dangling above our cribs, to big splashes of color in children's books, to the 64 pack of crayons that inspired countless hours of drawing, creating, and coloring. We're drawn to certain hues as a means to relate to our lives—the red-orange that is the shade of your mother's lipstick, the soft grey of the family room carpet, the bright yellow that matches the bus to school. We identify the prominent shades in our lives and assign meaning to them; categorize them and file them away with our memories. 

At first glance, color may seem like child's play, but there is a very grown-up side to all the shades in the rainbow. Colors have hidden nuances. They're representative of our emotions—ever had a day you were "feeling blue" or "tickled pink"? Red is associated with anger; blue, calmness; yellow, joy. We all have our favorite hues, but what do they say about you? And with so much complexity behind color, how do you best utilize color in your life, your wardrobe, your home? 

Meet Jen Guerin, expert Color Consultant and Designer. (Yep, that's right--a job based solely on color!) As lovers of all things bright and bold, we thought we'd get the skinny on what it's like to make art and color a career. 

"In design, I always tell my clients color is the single most important element that can bring an environment or company branding together. It's the least expensive way to show personality so go with your gut and don't hold back! Unless your colorblind of course, then make sure your call your nearest color consultant. " 

Why is color important? 

Color represents personality, culture, emotions and not only serves as an aesthetic way to express design or oneself but as a means to organize and communicate.  

 

What is your favorite color?

I will always be drawn to a turquoise and orange but right now I'm madly in love with a deep green blue. The color you would imagine the bottom of the ocean in Belize to look and feel like.  

What impact does color have on our everyday/emotions? 

Color actually has a psychological affect up to thirty minutes when a color first appears. The emotion can vary with people depending on their association with that hue, their cultural background and their personality being an introvert or extrovert.  

How do you use color in a creative or unusual way? 

I always tell my clients less is more if you are looking for impact with bright hues. Walls are dominant color in a space and don't always have to stand out but to make a room feel as it should. So I paint the edge of a door with a clients favorite color or color blocking in and unexpected part of the room.