Crediti: pexels – Nicolas Rueda

MeM: “What are the most frequent mistakes you see in colour design for office spaces?”

M.C.: “One of the most common mistakes is separating colour design from lighting design. Too often, colour schemes are chosen without evaluating their interaction with natural light – how it changes throughout the day or across seasons. Artificial lighting is often underestimated as well, compromising the perceptual harmony of the space.

Another frequent error is using “on-trend” palettes indiscriminately, without analysing the function of the space, duration of occupancy, or required levels of sensory stimulation. The result is often a visually appealing space that does not align with the real-life experience of its users.

We also see two opposite – and equally problematic – extremes: overly neutral, under-stimulating spaces that generate fatigue and disengagement; or over-stimulating, high-contrast environments with too many colours applied without hierarchy, overwhelming the perceptual system.

Technical aspects are also often overlooked, such as luminance density and surface reflectivity, forcing the eyes to make constant adjustments. In all these cases, the space may appear visually “correct” but proves inefficient on a perceptual and functional level.

Designing with colour means integrating light, function, and perception. It means listening to how people actually inhabit a space, and building environments that are not only beautiful – but truly supportive of well-being.”

MeM: “How does colour contribute to shaping corporate identity within workspaces?”

M.C.: “The identity of a space is not confined to a logo or a branded colour palette on the walls. It is a concrete, lived experience shaped by how people use, interpret, and move through environments.

In this sense, color is not just aesthetic – it’s a perceptual and cultural structure. It contributes to identity when it helps organise space, distinguish functions, clarify hierarchies, and create atmospheres aligned with the organization’s values. A meeting room, a break area, a reception zone – each of these spaces can be characterized through chromatic choices that activate appropriate behaviours, facilitate relationships, and strengthen the sense of belonging.

A conscious colour strategy doesn’t just “dress up” a space with brand colours. It transforms identity into experience, making it perceivable through daily interaction with the environment. In doing so, colour becomes an integral part of organisational culture and the relational quality that a space can generate.”

Crediti: Pexels – CadomaestroMeM:“Is there a connection between colour and performance or productivity in the workplace?”

M.C.: “Yes, there is a deep – though indirect – relationship between colour and work performance. Colour, together with light, shapes visual comfort, eye adaptation, perceptual orientation, and cognitive load. It’s not about “painting for motivation”, but about creating environmental conditions that support continuity, focus, and well-being.

A well-designed chromatic environment reduces visual fatigue, prevents errors, limits attention dispersion, and supports a more stable mental state. It’s not colour in itself that makes people more productive – it’s the optimisation of the conditions in which they work. When a space is readable, welcoming, and aligned with its rhythms and functions, people perform better because the environment supports them.”

MeM: “What role does colour training play today for designers and companies?”

M.C.: “Training is fundamental. Colour is not a decorative detail, but a complex design factor involving visual perception, neuroscience, ergonomics, environmental psychology, and lighting design. Without training, it remains a subjective choice. With training, it becomes a technical and strategic design competency.

For designers, this means acquiring methods, analytical tools, and verification criteria to plan coherent, functional, and regenerative environments.
For companies, it means learning to see space as a strategic lever – an asset that can enhance well-being, organisation, corporate culture, and the quality of working life.”

MeM: “If you had to give one key piece of advice to those designing workplaces today, what would it be?”

M.C.: “When it comes to colour in workspaces, the first step is not choosing hues.
The first step is observing people, analysing daily activities, time spent in the space, natural and artificial light conditions, and real perceptual needs.

You need to start from real experience: where do visual issues arise? How does light change throughout the day? Where is orientation, comfort or activation required?

Only after that can you build a coherent chromatic strategy.

Colour is not an aesthetic whim – it is a design tool that supports daily functions, relationships, and the overall quality of experience.”

A heartfelt thank you to Prof. Massimo Caiazzo, President of IACC Italia, for sharing such a clear and thought-provoking perspective on the role of colour in the workplace.
His insights remind us that designing with colour means caring for people’s experience.

If you’d like to explore these topics further and apply them in your own projects, we invite you to join our intensive course, write us at info@memlab.it