Afternoon Short Courses
Registration opens March 21, 2025
Afternoon Short Courses: $25 (plus a nominal materials fee for some courses)
Optics Outreach - Performing experiments with K-12 with the color "Wow!" Factor This short course will focus on experiments that were showcased at Fluorescent Fridays (FF) on November 1, Students in Color: Saving the Planet Through Optics Education. Other experiments will be shown that couldn't be covered in the 30 minute FF presentation. Each registrant will receive enough supplies to reproduce each experiment at the short course and at home. All attendees will be eligible to win a complete Optics Kit that contains enough materials to engage an audience of 30 for three different short course experiments. Additional Kits will be available for sale at list price. |
Dr. Jennifer "Jen" Kruschwitz is an Associate Professor of Optics at the University of Rochester, Senior Scientist at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, and Program Director of the in-person and hybrid Optics MS Program at the Institute of Optics. She has her BS and MS in Optics from the University of Rochester, and her PhD in Color Science from Rochester Institute of Technology. Since 1989, she has been an industry leader in optical thin film coating design. In 2012, she was awarded Digital Rochester's Technology Woman of the Year for her contributions to optics and supporting other women engineers in her field. She has served on the Board of Directors for Optica (formally OSA), was President of the Rochester Chapter of Optica, and is currently President of the Inter-Society Color Council (ISCC). In 2018, SPIE Press published her Field Guide to Colorimetry and Fundamental Color Modeling. She has authored 11 published articles in peer-reviewed journals (including four invited), 23 peer reviewed conference presentations, 12 invited technical magazine articles, 10 invited talks, a short course, and 6 patents. She currently teaches courses in Optical Interference Coating Design, Wave Optics, and Color Technology. |
The Color All Around Us |
Jason Bemis is a leading expert in the relationships between color, light, and the environment, serving as the primary presenter for the International Association of Color Consultants North America. With a unique background as an artist, designer, musician, and ecologist, Jason explores humanity’s co-evolution with color and light, focusing on their physiological and psychological effects. Using the scientific method, experiential exercises, and hands-on learning, Jason teaches how color and light can shape humane architectural environments that promote well-being. Jason’s expertise is applied across schools, hospitals, offices, restaurants, elderly homes, psychiatric wards, and industrial environments. By integrating art, science, and design, he creates spaces that enhance functionality and foster meaningful connections to our surroundings, making color and light indispensable tools for improving the human experience. |
False Colors as Building Blocks of Information: Learning an Easy-to-Use, Open-Source Multispectral Image Processing Software (MISHA) In the past, scholars applied lemon juice and a heat source or chemical reagents to uncover hidden features of historical documents (think: "National Treasure"). We now know that this method damaged artifacts unnecessarily and eventually made features of historical documents unreadable. Interest in this field in the late 20th and early 21st century has led to newer, safer practices involving cameras, sensors, and LED panels. As a result of a National Endowment for the Humanities Research & Development Grant (PR-268783-20), researchers at RIT have developed a low-cost, low barrier-to-entry imaging system enabling scholars, practitioners, and conservators to leverage the abilities of false color images to reveal new information about sheet, leaf, and folia as well as other forms of historical documents. This system, called MISHA (Multispectral Imaging System for Historical Artifacts), uses 16 wavelengths—from the ultraviolet to the infrared—to uncover faded, damaged, or unknown texts, images, and other emendations. In addition to the system’s ease-of-use, MISHA's open-source, Python-based processing software, puts basic image processing tools within the reach of non-scientists. Enroll in this short course for a hands-on learning opportunity using MISHA's processing software to uncover faded, hidden and damaged texts and illustrations from objects in RIT’s collection. Participants of all experience levels are welcome to join this course. |
Dr. Juilee Decker (she/her) is Director of the Museum Studies undergraduate degree program and is a faculty member in the Department of History/College of Liberal Arts. Trained as an art historian, Dr. Decker's research and scholarship are at the intersection of museum studies, public history, and technology. Dr. Decker is an author, scholar, facilitator, and collaborator in the academy as well as in cultural institutions and communities. At RIT, Dr. Decker is co-PI with Dr. David Messinger (Imaging Science, RIT) on an National Endowment for the Humanities PR-268783-20 (2020-2024) that has created, tested, and iterated a low-cost spectral imaging system and software to recover obscured and illegible text on historical documents. This multi-year, interdisciplinary project enhances the work of library, archive, and museum professionals and is only one of the many experiential learning opportunities undertaken by RIT museum studies students under the guidance of faculty from RIT. She also co-directs the Cultural Heritage Imaging Lab. |
Forgotten Memories Between Colors and Light This research explores how the interaction between light and colour can evoke memories and transform visual perception, simulating the changing and ephemeral nature of memory. Visible light, as a form of electromagnetic radiation, allows our eyes and brain to perceive colour through processes of reflection and refraction. In the retina, rods and cones transform these wavelengths into signals that are interpreted as colour and detail. Using RGB LED technology, this project recreates chromatic scenes in which light alters or fades pictorial elements, hiding or revealing them depending on their intensity and hue. This approach is inspired by how memories can fade or revive under different light conditions, representing the process of remembering and forgetting. In this course, people can make their own "forgotten memories between colors and light". |
Andrea Badillo Sariñana, a visual artist from Saltillo, Mexico, is pursuing her Master's in Visual Arts at UNAM. Her work explores the interplay of light and pigment, focusing on how these elements convey meaning and emotion in art. Central to her philosophy is the theme of memory, particularly its transience, as she draws inspiration from childhood and northern Mexican landscapes. A key aspect of her art is the use of RGB LED lights, which alters color perception based on light conditions, mirroring the fleeting nature of memories. Through her innovative techniques, Andrea invites viewers to reflect on the impermanence of memories and encourages deeper contemplation of the colors and images she presents. |
![]() ![]() | How Do We Communicate Color Quality In Lighting? Michael J. Murdoch is an experienced color science educator and former ISCC Board member, currently Associate Professor and Director of the Munsell Color Science Laboratory at the Rochester Institute of Technology. He has more than 25 years of experience with color and imaging systems, including work on film, inkjet printing, and OLED displays with Eastman Kodak (Rochester, USA) and HDR displays, computer graphics simulations, and LED lighting with Philips Research (Eindhoven, Netherlands). He leads a research project on color appearance in augmented reality (AR) funded by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and additionally conducts research on displays and temporally dynamic LED lighting. He holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Cornell, MS in Computer Science from RIT, and PhD in Human-Technology Interaction from Eindhoven University of Technology. Kimberly Mercier is an experienced, award winning lighting designer, Professional Engineer and Chair of the IES Light and Human Health Committee, Kim bridges the gap between lighting science and application by actively participating on academic and professional development content delivery channels. She is motivated by "bringing light" to people, to places, to history, to the built environment, and to life and her career accomplishments are representative of that singular pursuit. Ms. Mercier has served as the international President of the IES and currently serves as Vice President of Membership on the Executive Committee of the CIE US National Committee. (Kim's complete bio here) |
Thinking Differently This short course explores the foundational methodology for the design and development of branding or rebranding strategies tailored to global corporations. The methodology integrates the Architecture of Space framework to create a cohesive system spanning multiple hierarchical levels from the primary visual identity elements, such as the logo, mark, and signature, to the diverse internal and external communication materials. This systematic approach addresses the inherent complexity and scale of global branding by ensuring disciplined and comprehensive integration of all branding elements. A global corporation's branding demands more than visual appeal; it requires a unified strategy that accommodates diverse markets, cultures, and identities. The methodology emphasizes creating a scalable framework capable of adapting over time, aligning visual identity with corporate values and market positioning. It incorporates a structured hierarchy, ensuring that each element whether a logo or a localized brochure maintains consistency while allowing for flexibility in execution across regions and platforms. A critical aspect of this methodology is the strategic use of color as a powerful tool in communication and corporate identity. Color plays a pivotal role in evoking emotions, reinforcing brand recognition, and conveying cultural nuances. The course examines how color schemes are selected to resonate with target audiences while ensuring alignment with corporate values. By leveraging color psychology, the methodology enables corporations to build a visual language that fosters emotional connections and enhances message clarity across global markets. This short course emphasizes the design process's key components within a structured framework, organizing elements into layers for coherent implementation. It introduces a unified systems approach to tackle corporate branding complexities, ensuring consistent, strategic, and the impactful integration of color communication. |
Art Bemis, born in South Boston in 1942, graduated from South Boston High School in 1959. Following his passion for art and design, he pursued studies at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and continued his education at Northeastern University, Boston Architectural College, Boston University, and Harvard Graduate School of Design. Under the mentorship of renowned typographer Edward Karts, Art mastered the fusion of structured form and artistic expression, shaping his career in design. Art began as an architectural designer for the Boston Redevelopment Authority and later worked as an art director for Adams Russell and Crandell Associates Architects. His expertise led to his role as Director of Sto Design in North America, where he redeveloped brand identities for corporations like BASF and Carlstar. With a deep understanding of color's science and art, Art integrated these principles into his branding concepts, including the innovative golf-world design, Mindset. Since 1970, he has worked as a self-employed designer, creating groundbreaking concepts. Currently, Art is the owner and director of the AICCE American Information Center for Color and Environment, where he lectures on strategic branding, color, and design integration. He also oversees the curriculum for the IACC International Association of Color Consultants. |
Norm-Critical Color Design: Unpacking Aesthetics, Gender, and Power in Design Objects |
Kel Jackson is a Design Research PhD candidate at the Royal College of Art and a seasoned color designer with over 12 years of experience in the apparel and footwear industry. Their work spans diverse roles, including creating overarching color direction, collaborating with chemists to develop innovative color recipes, and leading visual storytelling to apply color across products such as footwear, apparel, and textiles. As a color design consultant, Kel partners with teams to develop sustainability-focused solutions for their design programs. Kel's doctoral research critically examines gender bias in the design process, focusing on how sneaker color design reinforces societal norms and marginalizes feminine and genderqueer identities. Through norm-critical design approaches, they aim to empower designers to reimagine narratives of power and resistance, fostering equity and inclusivity in the design industry. Kel has shared their expertise in talks on color and design at institutions such as the Royal College of Art, the University of Sussex, and the "AIC 2023" International Color Association Conference. |
Comunicating Color Using ICC Profiles |
Max Derhak has worked for Onyx Graphics Inc. since 1990 where he currently functions in the role of Principal Scientist and Team Development Lead. While at Onyx Graphics, Max has applied for and received several patents related to color and printing. Max has a bachelor's in computer science from the University of Utah, a Masters in Imaging Science at The Rochester Institute of Technology, and a Doctorate in Color Science at RIT. He serves as the Co-Chair of the International Color Consortium (ICC) where he continues to be a driving force in advanced color management iccMAX standards and the DemoIccMAX implementation. Max also participates in ISCC, PPC, US TAG and TC130 activities and represents the CIE-USNC within CIE Division 8. |
Design Stories: How Color Shapes Narrative Every design tells a story, and color is one of its most powerful storytellers. But how does color shape that narrative, whether it takes the center stage or plays a supporting role? This short course explores the forces of nature which initially shaped our relationship to color, and how trends, technology and personalization influence the way we communicate with it today. Using examples from a range media we will dive into the psychological and cultural meanings of color, using models drawn from neuroaesthetics and the Value-Chroma Paradigm to understand how color influences narrative. Participants will have opportunity to apply these concepts as they tell stories, and also interpret them, using color. |
Ellen Divers is an independent design theorist and researcher whose focus is the development of an evidence-based thought process to help designers with color selection for their projects. An undergraduate degree in Psychology, an M.Ed., a minor in Studio Art, and a B.S. in Interior Design inform her approach to both reviewing and conducting research. A core theme in her work is the observation that most people, including researchers, make the assumption that hues are the drivers of emotions (Hue Paradigm), and she presents evidence that, in fact, value and chroma may exert a stronger effect than hue on the emotional response to color (Value-Chroma Paradigm). In recent years Ellen has presented at Color Impact 2020, RUCOLOR 2020, Color Impact 2021, AIC2022, Color Impact 2023, and AIC2024 conferences, and was a speaker at RTP180:COLOR at Research Triangle Park in Raleigh-Durham, NC in 2024. She has published articles in Color Research and Application and JAIC, and is working on a follow-up study to her first, "Beyond hue: the affective response to value and chroma.: She has served as past Director of the Board of the Inter-Society Color Council and as past Vice President of the IACC-NA (International Association of Color Consultants and Designers of North America). Her method for color design is being piloted with entertainment design students at University of Texas at Austin, and she has plans to eventually make a course available to a broader audience of design professionals. |
Color Psychology 101 This course is an introduction to color psychology. It will examine how color influences our daily lives and industry. It will begin with an introduction to exactly what color psychology and its history including why it matters to design professionals and today's contemporary culture. Topics will include a history of color psychology, its influence on food, appetite, size, interiors and luxury items such as perfume, cars and fashion. This course will answer questions including how religion has influenced our view of color and how companies and the color of their products continue to impact our selection and use. The lecture will be highly visual, engaging the audience. It will last for 70 minutes with about 20 minutes for audience questions and personal experiences. |
Steven Bleicher is a tenured professor of visual arts at Coastal Carolina University. He is an accomplished artist. His artwork is included in many major collections and is widely exhibited both nationally and internationally in numerous solo and group exhibitions. Bleicher collaborated as the color specialist on Man and Nature in Rhapsody of Light, a permanent public art installation at the Water Cube in Beijing. The work combines traditional Chinese philosophy with contemporary aesthetics and digital technology. In April 2023, the third edition of Bleicher's book,ャ Contemporary Color: Theory and Use,ャ was published by Routledge Press. It is a comprehensive text on color, and focuses on digital color and its relationship to other new technologies. Other chapters include color psychology, perception and dimensional aspects of color. He is currently writing a new book on color psychology in art and design. Bleicher is regularly sought after as an expert witness on issues of color use and copywrite and trademark infringement. Bleicher often provides interdisciplinary lectures on color psychology, as a part of this, he has been invited to numerous colleges and universities to speak and was a artist and visiting professor at the Nanjing Art Institute. |
Introduction to the Fischer Universal Color Design System Designer's will learn how to use the Fischer Universal Color Design System to create concurrently rich color experiences for persons with nearly every vision-ability, both typical and deficient. Roughly 50% of the population will experience a vision deficiency at some point in their life. This includes color-blindness, light and scotopic sensitivity, cataracts, glaucoma, macular generation, and uncorrectable low vision. And in addition, external sources, such as dim room lighting and digital screen glare that are routinely experienced by all of us. By integrating the Fischer Universal Color System into their workflow, designers working in the digital, print, product, and built environment arenas can increase market share, meet state and federal accessibility guidelines, increase employment opportunities for vision deficient persons, and practice truly inclusive color design, while also and simultaneously optimizing color experiences for the typically-sighted population. Attendees will receive a free, personal-use, digital course pack that includes instructional videos, case studies, and downloadable tools. In-class activities will include an overview of the Fischer Universal Color Design System, case studies demonstrating its application, and real-time analysis and adjustment of design projects that attendees can opt to bring to the session (note: bringing a project for analysis is strictly optional)(attendees wishing to submit a project for a real-time analysis can email either a file or a link to the project to Bill_Fischer@i-see-u.info prior to class). |
Bill Fischer is professor emeritus and founder of the Digital Art & Design program at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University. He is the author of the I-See-U blueprint for Inclusive, Socio-Emotional, Entertaining, and Universal design. He was the executive producer for The EPIC Project (Engaging Production Inspiring Classrooms) an ongoing collaboration with faculty, K12 educators, and field experts that build and test digital media products focused on inclusion and innovation. He's designed toys, buildings, automotive interiors, animated, printed, and interactive media for over 30 years. Bill is a multiple award-winning designer in the automotive, digital media, and games arenas. He led teams that earned Ford's best new product, three Motor Trend cars of the year, best in show in the American Advertising awards, and has earned seven patents. He supported teams that won best games at the Serious Play, and Meaningful Play game conferences. Most recently Bill has led teams that create board and digital games, animation, video, apps, AR/VR, and mixed reality media that utilize his universal design methods and tools to facilitate rich experiences for persons with disabilities and provide full participation in the ongoing socio-cultural fabric of the world we all share.
About ISCC and Color Impact 2025
The Inter-Society Color Council is the principal interdisciplinary society in the United States dedicated to advancing color research and best practices in industry, design/arts, and education.
ColorImpact 2025 promises to be a significant event for color professionals worldwide. Registration for the conference will open in the first quarter of 2025.
Subscribe to our mailing listSubscribe to our mailing list to receive information about our upcoming events. |