ICN – An introduction
The ICN System is a universal, practical and easy-to-understand colour order system for design, communication and analysis of colour in many application areas — Architecture, Design, Industry, Research, Art, Fashion and Education.
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The ICN
components
1 — Six Elementary Colours
2 — Hue Circle
Colours are defined according to 4 Psychological Elementary Hues: Yellow, Red, Blue and Green.
3 — Nuance Triangle
w = whiteness
b = blackness
c = chromaticness
w+b+c=100
eg: location of 40w30b30c on the Nuance Triangle
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The ICN
colour notation
Notation states the key colour attributes in full so it is unambiguous. No more mental gymnastics to fill in the missing colour information.
• Hue values add up to 100
• Nuance values add up to 100
• Dominant hues placed in front
Chromatic Colours
Chromatic Colours
Chromatic Colours
Achromatic Colours
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Connect
with us
Contact ICN for consultation or advice tailored to your specific needs. Our team of experts is here to support your journey toward a more refined and meaningful form of colour communication.
Colour advisory: Get expert guidance on building or optimising your colour collections, ensuring they meet market demands and align with your brand identity.
Licensing opportunities: Access our digital and physical tools for seamless integration of the ICN system into your workflows, whether for product development or design curricula.
Training and workshops: Empower your team or students with specialised training programs designed for top design and architecture institutes.