Past Event
Monday, October 9 2023
6:30–8:30 pm
G . F Smith Presents
The Future isn’t Black and White
Monday, October 9 2023
6:30–8:30 pm
G . F Smith Presents
The Future isn’t Black and White
Discover, Debate, and Decide the Color of Tomorrow
In an increasingly monochromatic world, “The Future isn’t Black and White” is a talk that explores how color has been a silent but powerful force that has shaped and defined culture throughout the ages.
Color has always been used to not just signal influence and power but also affect everything from our consumer choices to our personal and cultural identity. The talk argues how today we are approaching a ‘fading vibrancy’ of everything from consumer goods to cars to clothing and the undeniable trend towards muted and dull color palettes in our everyday lives—and how the world around us seems to be losing its color.
The talk will delve into the profound influence of color on us personally and how it impacts our creativity, mood and overall quality of life. It will showcase the personal nature of color through G . F Smith’s own creative marketing over the last 60 years, through to the largest global color study and search for ‘The World’s Favourite Color’ by G . F Smith in 2017.
G . F Smith will finish their journey through color by launching a new color survey in NYC to discover the ‘Color of the Future’ — and why we urgently need a new perspective.
Event Series: Fresh Dialogue
These events are critical discussions that focus on current events, issues of cultural relevance and emerging topics in the world of design.
Tickets
We are committed to keeping events accessible to all participants. Your ticket and donation supports AIGA NY and costs associated with events such as speaker honorariums, productions costs, and venue fees. If ticket cost is a barrier, please contact Stacey@aigany.org.
Covid Protocol
This event is in person and in an indoor venue at Parsons, The New School. In compliance with NYC COVID indoor gatherings, masks are optional.
Schedule
- 6:30 pm Doors open & check-in
- 7:00 pm Event begins
- 8:30 pm Event ends
Tickets
- Non-members $20.00
- AIGA Members $15.00
- Suggested donations $25.00
The Auditorium, Alvin Johnson / J.M. Kaplan Hall
—
66 West 12th Street
New York, 10003
Speakers
Ben Watkinson, Global Brand Director, G . F Smith
Obsessed with the beauty and possibility of paper, G . F Smith is the UK’s largest specialist paper company and the dedicated supplier of creative papers to the creative industries. The company was founded in London in 1885 by George Frederick Smith and today operates in over 25 countries.
Colorplan, the company’s flagship product launched in 1936 and continues to be the creative paper of choice for the graphic industries – a position further secured with the launch of Colorplan Bespoke, which allows global brands to create their own specific shades.
Ben Watkinson is the Global Brand Director of G . F Smith. Ben believes that central to G . F Smith’s standing is its genuine desire to help people achieve their creative ambitions, regardless of the scale of their project or starting point. He feels that the company’s continued focus on inspiring the creative world and sharing knowledge has fueled its burgeoning reputation as one of the leading forces in creative paper globally.
Ben is immensely proud to be a custodian of the G . F Smith brand.
Matt Delbridge, Creative Director, Made Thought
Approaching problems with a holistic view and an eye for where Made Thought can stand out, Matt pulls experience working with cultural and technology brands to create creative work that is unexpected and desirable.
Some key clients include Google, The New York Times, Hermès, Uber, Nike, Herman Miller Gaming, Miami Design District.
While working at Google Creative Lab Matt worked on the development of the Google Assistant, a complex offering that fits into the entire Google ecosystem, working in a small team responsible for the brand and product experience. Matt also worked on branding and product design for Google Shopping, Google Maps, Chrome, and Google VR. Other clients include Uber, for whom Matt led a global rebrand for the company, working closely with the product team to reimagine their digital products. Matt has also worked on a number of digital products including the cloud gaming offering from Amazon and new digital products for The New York Times.
G . F Smith
Obsessed with the beauty and possibility of paper, G . F Smith is the UK’s largest specialist paper company and the dedicated supplier of creative papers to the creative industries. The company was founded in London in 1885 by George Frederick Smith and today operates in over 25 countries.
Colorplan, the company’s flagship product launched in 1936 and continues to be the creative paper of choice for the graphic industries – a position further secured with the launch of Colorplan Bespoke, which allows global brands and businesses to create their own specific shades.
The Auditorium, Alvin Johnson / J.M. Kaplan Hall
—
66 West 12th Street
New York, 10003