During Design Week Portland this year I had the privilege of speaking about The Power of Color in Design. Attendees got practical advice on how they could use color strategically to build their brands, but also learned how they can harness color for the greater good.

Revive Designs and Miller Paint

Thank you to Revive Designs and Miller Paint for the epic color garland that represents everyone involved in the event. This will GROW as we bring more events to you!!

I drew on my 23 years of experience as a Color Designer at Nike, my days as an art student, and my 8 years as owner of this little color-obsessed shop called Woonwinkel. Yup, that's a loooot of color. You can imagine how over time I've learned a thing or two about the power of color to capture a consumer.

But the heart of the event was our announcement of the formation of the Good Color Collective, a Portland based group that's come together through a common belief that vibrant, joyful and resilient communities are possible through good design, and specifically through GOOD COLOR.

We kicked off our collective with a bang by introducing the Portland chapter of Project Color Corps, a non-profit that brings color and pattern to urban areas that lack beauty. To help introduce it we welcomed special guest Laura Guido Clark, color and material guru and founder of the Berkeley based organization, who imparted to us in a moving presentation WHY COLOR SHOULD BE A HUMAN RIGHT. 

Our audience was deeply engaged, intelligent, and warm and we loved every minute of it! There was such an interest in the topic (and a really long waiting list for the event) that I'm guessing we're going to be taking this show on the road in some way. So stay tuned!

Do you want to hear about future events?  

Do you want to learn more about the Good Color Collective?

Follow us on Instagram @goodcolorcollective. #colorforgood

 

kristin van buskirk and gabrielle enfield

Speaker Kristin Van Buskirk (Woonwinkel) and Host Gabrielle Enfield (Living Room Realty)

 

Laura Guido Clark

Laura Guido Clark of L-GC Design and Project Color Corps 

 

Virginia Barden

Virginia Barden of Living Room Realty greets guests

The Power of Color In Design

Contemplating the color wheel perhaps?

 

The Power of Color in Design

Choosing color for our interactive color activity

 

Power of Color Food

Thank you to Premier Mortgage Resources and Vibrant Table for this truly amazing spread of food.

Mindful Flowers

Thanks to Mindful Flowers for the beautiful arrangements

 For the Love of Color

Thanks to Sarah McCracken of Gensler for this limited edition poster we handed out at the event.