Colour Profiling a Country
Sofap, in collaboration with TBWA and myself, developed a unique colour range that reflects the diverse character and natural beauty of Mauritius. Inspired by the acclaimed Longyearbyen in Colour project by Prof. Grete Smedal, this initiative aimed to translate the essence of each magisterial district into colour using the Natural Colour System (NCS).
OUR CLIENT
Sofap – product Permaglaze
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Notre ile, Nos couleurs.
Travelling over 720km across the island, each region was analysed for its distinct soil tones, flora, and architectural influences. Colours were mapped directly using the NCS triangle and circle, with impressions recorded in real-time. The result: a palette of 84 colours – 7 per district across 11 regions, plus a unifying 12th palette symbolising the overall “feeling” of Mauritius, expressed as a blue-green hue.
Case Work
The Project Study
The campaign became one of Sofap’s most successful, generating significant public interest. The palette will be refreshed every 18 months to keep it current while maintaining its deep connection to the island’s landscape.
Tools used:
Longyearbyen in Colour by Prof. Grete Smedal
NCS Atlas and advanced colour mapping notebook
On-site observation, photography, and intuitive colour matching
This project stands as a pioneering example of regional colour profiling and the emotional power of colour in design.
