Smart phones. Touch pads. It seems they’re all the buzz these days. I don’t know exactly how many of you use these mini super-machines, but this post will be much more useful for those of you who do. In this blog entry, I’ll identify some fun color tools that can be downloaded to your iPhone, iPad, and in some cases, your Droid or Blackberry.
Before I get to the color resources, let me back up and tell you how I got “smart”. Last fall, I attended TEDxPhoenix, held in (you guessed it) Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to soaking up some infectious energy from speakers like Jay Rogers, Pam Slim, and Kimber Lanning, and taking home great swag like Refresh Glass, I also walked away with a free iPad. Yes, a FREE iPad.
I attended the event for the same reason a lot of others did – I support the non-profit mission of TED, and their new(ish) iteration, TEDx. TEDxPhoenix did a great job with their event, and at the end of the day, the event host, Tomas Carillo, gave away 2 gifts to attendees. No sooner did I let out a sigh of disappointment at not winning a stack of free books written by event speakers than I heard my name called for this electronic gem. I think I was floating on air for the next month. Thank you again to the folks at TEDxPhoenix for their generosity.
In the spirit of TED, I’m paying it forward by sharing some of the resources, specifically color resources, I’ve discovered through use of my iPad over the last few months. If your phone is capable of downloading apps, chances are, at least some of these are accessible to you. This is by no means a comprehensive list. They’re pretty specific to my job and also the things I’m drawn to, personally (like art). There are many others that may be useful depending on your needs. Hope they’re helpful, nonetheless!
This app can be used to create custom palettes and save colors from your own uploaded photos.
This app allows you to create custom palettes from your own photos. It also has a fun shake feature, which results in a palette of colors harmonious to the one you’ve selected.
This artistic app allows users to create their own watercolor creations. Named one of the Seven Most Innovative iPad Apps of 2010 by Fast Company.
Have a client who needs a little inspiration? Need some yourself? This app takes you inside an art museum to reveal more than 50,000 paintings and sculptures. Need some ideas of color-driven artists to get your creative juices flowing? Check out Wassily Kandinsky, Mark Rothko, JMW Turner, Jan Vermeer, Paul Gauguin, and Georgia O’Keeffe to get you started.
If these apps don’t fit your need, there are a host of others that are worth checking out. Here are some links that might lead you to another that’s more useful:
A Roundup of 15 iPhone Apps for Home Design by Unplggd
5 iPhone Apps for Interior Design by Patricia Gray
Interior Design iPhone Apps by Lindsay with Designers Call
You’ll notice that some of the apps referenced in these articles are repeats, but the different commentary and feedback that accompanies each article could prove helpful if trying to decide between which apps to download.
So your not paying it forward with your iPad?
LOL…No, I’m still a little slow with typing on the iPad. Computers will always have their place in my life!