NCS - The Natural Colour System
The Universal Standard for Colour Communication
Lisa Taylor - Colour analyst, forecaster and trainer
Lisa Taylor has been active in the South African architectural, design and décor scene for many years providing analysis and forecasting information to leading manufacturers within those industries.
NCS is the understandable international colour order system for colour selection, specification, communication and the control of colour in design, architecture, research, marketing and manufacturing. It is based on how people see colour.
The logical colour notation system builds on how humans see colour; a notation represents a specific colour precept and describes the colour visually. It is not dependant on the limitations caused by pigments, light rays or nerve signals.
The Swedish government took the initiative on colour determination and classification in the 1950s and what has evolved is the NCS, which has become the international standard for colour classification. South Africa is compliant; the South African Standard (SANS 1091), which adopts NCS, was enabled in 2004. For additional information
NCS in South Africa
NCS is now the national standard for South Africa. Most manufacturers should be able to match the system, given that it is based on how the human eye perceives colour. Contact Standards South Africa (a division of the SABS)
NCS Explained
The NCS System - How it works
Browse NCS Categories
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
NCS Training Courses & Online Training
NCS Colour Centre South Africa launched an educational platform with loads of free information on colour, links to interesting papers on architecture, Colour psychology and just about anything to do with the subject. We have added online NCS colour training and presentations on colour in architecture and how to sell colour for paint stores and any manufacturer in the built industry
Colour Communicators Course
Explore the world of colour with NCS Colour Academy. Whether you’re a beginner requiring the basics or an advanced colour specialist working daily with NCS, our online courses cover all levels.
Learn how to effortlessly create inspiring colour combinations with the NCS System.
CPD COURSE: International use of colour in Architecture
Accredited by SACAP and validated by GIfA For 2CPD Points (CAT 1).
The course aims at giving a basic knowledge about colour as a visual phenomena. A thorough explanation of the Natural Colour System together with a series of exercises will be covered. This is an internationally recognised qualification.