Written by Brittney Reeves Graphics by Hannah Boresow
What is color? That seems like a simple enough question to answer, right? So go ahead, and try.
Let me guess… you had trouble?
Why is color so difficult to explain? It’s simple – color is nothing more than an illusion created inside our minds. The way we interpret color is an internal experience that cannot be shared with anyone else. As cool as it would be to put ourselves inside someone else’s mind and watch the world through their eyes, it just isn’t looking like it’s going to happen any time soon. I’m a dreamer – I try to avoid using the word impossible. But, if there were ever a time to use it, I believe now would be appropriate.
So, let’s think. What color do you associate with an apple? You may think of yellow, green or red, but how about purple?
Does something seem strange about one of these apples? Any sighted person would agree that the coloration of this apple is simply inaccurate. They might call it a piece of art, but it’s certainly not edible.
Now, let’s get deep – the way you are looking at the apple right now could be the way your neighbor sees an apple on a regular basis.
Have I confused you yet? This idea goes back to the age-old question we’ve all heard before – could your red be my blue? I would frequently ask myself this as a child. My inability to find the answer always left me feeling unsatisfied and confused. Now that I’m grown and can research these topics pretty readily myself, I can appreciate the fact that perception of color is immeasurable and unexplainable, but I’m still not satisfied.
This takes me back to 4th grade when I spoke with a man who was born blind. I will never forget the conversation. I asked if black was the only color he could see. He responded, “No- I see nothing.” When I asked for his definition of nothing, he asked me what I saw in the back of my head. “Nothing,” I responded. Point proven. Just imagine trying to explain the difference between blue, orange and green to someone who was born blind.
While pondering if we see color differently, it makes sense to bring preferences into discussion. My favorite color is purple and my mother’s is yellow. But is it possible that my purple is my mother’s yellow? Perhaps I would like sunflowers more if I could see them through my mother’s eyes.
While there is no direct way of reaching a conclusion yet, science suggests that people may, in fact, see colors differently. In the video below, Michael Stevens explains this idea with references to other scientific concepts and the behavior of animals.
With the limited knowledge we have today, we can’t make any assumptions about perception of color and communication, but it’s hard not to wonder how different we all see the world. So, the next time you ask someone their favorite color, keep in mind that until science can see how our brains think, their red could be your blue.
Curious what we've been busy with over the last many months? Well, there's been a lot going on, but here's a glimpse of one big and exciting project.
Milk & Honey is a gelato, craft coffee and popsicle shop in the center of Chattanooga, TN. We designed this vintage logo concept to be used as the centerpiece for a wall at Community Pie, which will be the first restaurant to serve Milk & Honey gelato.
We are also working with some incredible talent on a full brand for the entire shop, but here's a little preview to whet your appetite. Look out for more to come!
This world could use a little more happiness, and we've decided to do something small to help contribute.
Below is a picture of our letterpressed instruction card for how to live happily, 2013 and beyond. If you'd like a copy of your own, just go to our facebook page and hit the like button. Then send us a message including your mailing address through facebook or at info@seemedesign.com. We'll drop one in the mail and send it right over!
Spread the happiness. Share the love. Happy early 2013! Thank you for being an inspiration in everything we do.
It’s always exciting to see our clients succeed, and Carrie Heller, Founder of The Circus Arts Institute, has enjoyed many successes. So, of course we were excited when The Atlanta Journal and Constitution featured an article about Carrie and her Circus Arts Therapy® practice.
Carrie is one of those few people who has been lucky enough to create a career doing what she loves. As a child she enjoyed circus arts as a hobby, and she continued practicing that hobby as an adult. After becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Carrie developed a unique and effective way to incorporate circus arts into her professional therapy practice. Her program at Circus Arts Institue allows children with behavioral issues, learning differences and other challenges to take risks in a safe, non-competitive environment and to take pride in their distinct physical accomplishments. Carrie recognized the benefits of Circus Arts Therapy long ago, and ongoing research is confirming the positive results that Carrie sees every day.
Circus Arts Institute also offers adult Circus Arts FitnessTM classes, children’s programs and camps, professional instructor training courses, and corporate workshops at her studio. The ultimate multi-tasker, Carrie still carved out time to write the industry’s first training and safety manual while successfully juggling her growing business.
We’ve enjoyed following Carrie’s success in the process of helping her with rebranding with new logos and overall look, a new website with added functionality and even new t-shirts for students and instructors. Carrie is dazzling her audience on multiple levels and we’re proud to be a part of that!
Carrie Heller pictured above from the AJC wearing a shirt designed for Circus Arts Institute by SeeMeDesign.
It's been long enough for Hurricane Sandy to be pushed to the press back burner, but the clean-up is still a long way ahead. So, we have joined forces as a sponsor of this relief effort coming up this Monday from 6-9pm at Sweetwater Brewery. Our partners in this effort are W Atlanta - Midtown, Sweetwater Brewery and American Spirit Whiskey, all of which will support the Robin Hood Foundation.
So, what do you say... can I twist your arm to spend a Monday evening enjoying the pouring fountains of beer, whiskey and food from the W? Come on... our friends in the Northeast sure could use a little more help.
The invite and information is below. For more details, visit the facebook event. And of course, as a sponsor, that's a SeeMeDesign.
Let's think back in history – we know Chirstopher Columbus, Charles Darwin, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and the latest Steve Jobs. Each of these men has a reputation of being a world-changing, mind-blowing, paradigm-shifting, crazy genius. Even with all their genius considered, crazy is still an operative word here.
So, let's challenge ourselves – see if you can name one world-changing genius that our society would not call crazy. Feel free to take your time here...
Now, why was that such a challenge? Is it because our society is too hard on people? Is it because these people are some of the few in our world who are willing to show their true colors? Or, maybe it's a little bit of both?
These thinkers, explorers, creators, inventors, artists and designers are the ones who are not afraid of what people might think when they speak their outlandish thoughts – even when they are well-aware those thoughts might be crazy. They are the ones who question everything they know with opposing thoughts and ideas. They are the ones who do not accept fact for fact without thinking twice. They are the idea makers, and they have a history of being non-conformists and socially ostracized.
Now, listen to Brené Brown. In the video below, she speaks at TedXHouston on vulnerability being the key to a life filled with success and happiness, as well as vulnerability being the birth place of new ideas and creativity.
There are all sorts of jokes about the vulnerable artists of our world. But can we say the same thing about all innovative creators? Is vulnerability the first step to opening yourself up to changing the world?
Whether you think so or not, this video just might change you. If you are like me, you will probably bookmark it, share it and watch it again. It might inspire you to change your life perspecitve, rethink your every day actions and analyze the way you treat yourself. And if you're really lucky, it might entice you to free that crazy genius inside yourself.
Today is the most pure moment in history. Not a week ago, 200 or even 2,000 years ago.
It’s a fact that the Internet has brought us more child pornography and sexual predators. We face identity theft, computer corruption, viruses and hacking. Massive amounts of information have introduced a new class of criminals. So many problems have come out of this Internet, so what good is it anyway? All sorts of good, according to the bigger picture.
The Internet has finally brought us the legitimate power of choice.
Sure, we faced choice in the past. In Atlanta during the early 90s just before the introduction of AOL, we chose between the department stores Rich’s or Macy’s when we needed more fancy pants. We chose Red Delicious versus Granny Smith when it came to our favorite fruits. We opted for McDonalds or Wendy’s for a quick burger and fries. But when the Internet came to be, an entire subculture began to question why Red Delicious wasn’t so delicious anymore.
Our choices of the past were not nearly as powerful, widespread or readily available. The music we listened to was selected by radio execs who often made decisions based on pay offs and bribes. The best in art was hand picked by local museums and galleries. And the latest and greatest fashion came largely from the malls.
Let’s consider where we are today.
About 9 months ago, I watched this video on Facebook via YouTube. It was recorded at a band member’s home with just one guitar since that was all they had.
Long story short, the video went viral. In January of 2011, the band members shared their excitement with their Facebook fans.
Today Walk off the Earth has over 585K facebook fans – so many that facebook rounds to the nearest 100,000 rather than listing exacts. As you would suspect, this song is also all over the radio. When I heard it a month ago for just about the 200th time, it hit me. Consumers are making big decisions. We are being heard, and the proverbial they are listening.
Our music landscape has changed radically. Before the advent of social networking, a record deal was practically a requirement. But today recording labels are struggling while everyone and their brother is taking a stab at their own grand entrance. Anyone with a Mac and GarageBand can record their own “album” and sell on iTunes using grassroots promotions through YouTube. If they are really good, they might become the next Walk off the Earth.
In fashion, design, art and culture we are in closer contact with the creators. Whether we are checking websites for the latest products, looking out for inspiration or even personally communicating with designers, artists or international inspirations, we have a new relationship with the world. The Internet has afforded small retailers a method of selecting seasonal products without requiring the expense of countless trips across the country. Small businesses are finally giving big chains a run for their money by offering more customized experiences and unique finds. We are no longer solely bound to what the mall wants to sell us. If a product is sellable, it can be found online.
So, what does this all mean? We are finally creating our own trends – from the foods we eat, restaurants we select and businesses we do (and don't) support. We are trending toward local goods; designer and artist crafts; high-end fashion; a more natural lifestyle; and uniquely interesting experiences. We are going back to our routes of simplicity, less genetically modified and more pure. We are making intelligent decisions and leading our society down a safer, more thoughtful and personalized path.
Of course there are still people who have the power to control the creation of some of the thoughts and ideas that pop into our heads. But today we have more choice and resources than ever before. Today you and I are directing social progress, and the businesses that are paying attention are the ones that are growing the fastest.
Today we are living in a more pure world that is dedicated to us. So, go ahead and speak up because I can assure you that someone is listening.
Disclaimer: If you are over the age of 60 and / or rarely use or get confused by the tools of social media, you might not understand this article. Just ask your 15 year-old grandchild, niece, nephew or neighbor. They should be able to help you out.
Does something seem strange about one of these apples? Any sighted person would agree that the coloration of this apple is simply inaccurate. They might call it a piece of art, but it’s certainly not edible.
