Life in Colour

As the global colour manager of Norwegian paint company Jotun, it’s no surprise that Lisbeth Larsen’s life is informed by colour. “It quite often happens that I walk into a room and feel uncomfortable,” says Lisbeth, “I need colours that help me calm down and lower my shoulders.” In her role at Jotun, Lisbeth is responsible for overseeing the research of design and colour trends across the world. These trends are then used to inform Jotun’s ever-evolved portfolio of colours. 

Jotun was founded in 1926 in Sandefjord, south-eastern Norway and is now one of the world’s biggest paint companies, found on interior and outdoor walls in more than 100 countries across the world. Although best-known for its heavy-duty, industrial paints – which have been used to paint world landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, the Petronas Towers and the Burj Khalifa – Jotun also specialises in decorative paints, designed to give flair and personality to homes across the world. 

On 22 August, Jotun will launch the 2017 iteration of its annual colour card. Titled Rhythm for Life, the colour card is the cumulation of a year’s worth of independent research from a global network of consultants and comprises 36 new colours that, according to Jotun, will define homes around the globe in the forthcoming year. The colours are divided into three themes – City Motions, Lush Garden and Silent Serenity – each centred on a different mood and mode of modern living. 

Although the 36 shades remain under wraps until late-August, Zetteler caught up with Lisbeth to get an insight into the process that informs each colour card. In the interview that follows, Lisbeth speaks about the personal significance of colour, its emotional effects, and how she approaches the almighty task of predicting the colours of the future.

The Jotun colour card claims to identify the colour trends that define the entire world. How do you ensure the colours it features are relevant globally?

I work with an international group of colour consultants. These consultants are based all over the world: South-East Asia, the Middle East, Turkey and Scandinavia. Each representative provides their view of the market, specific to their region, and together we put together what we believe to be worldwide tendencies. How people think and what people dream of is actually surprisingly similar whether you live in Muscat or in Copenhagen. Everyone shares a love of colour. 

It means a lot. Like most people, I couldn’t live without colour. Colour can help me through the day and the night. It is important to find the right colours to live in and because of that I change colours of my walls quite often. It quite often happens that I walk into a room and feel uncomfortable – I need colours that help me calm down and lower my shoulders. That is the reason why you’ll never find really bright colours in my home. 

I definitely believe that colour can help people. That said, I don’t believe that certain colours translate to specific moods and emotions. Bright red and orange, for instance, can for sure give you a kick but if you look at a deep, sophisticated and historical red, it can easily give you a secure and calming feeling. Why? This colour might remind you of something good in your childhood. I believe that colour and life experiences go hand-in-hand. Jotun therefore has a responsibility in that we use colours to create surroundings. There is a real potential to create memories through the use of colour. 

It is all about creating good atmospheres and memories. I believe that people go through life changing their rhythm and taste. In a similar vein, we change in the colours we live with. Living an urban life might be more up-tempo and encompass more colours than those living in the countryside with greenery right outside of their window. 

Norway has so many creative and clever designers but unfortunately they don’t get the international exposure that they deserve. One reason might be that our neighbours – Sweden and Denmark – are very prominent in the international design scene. Comparatively, Norway has perhaps been too shy. There is also an issue with money and funding. Jotun has sponsored the Norwegian Design exhibition in Milan for the last three years. The interest in Norwegian design have really increased after these events and I am so happy that the world got to see all the beautiful creations which come out of this this strange country.

Well, we have a lot of fun! Very often it comes to us when we see the final colour. It is such a funny workshop. 

Yes! I simply LOVE Savanna Sunset! That choice might have something to do with a very good memory…