THE SOUND OF COLOUR
Join Colour Designer Sarah Gottlieb as she talks to cultural and creative leaders about the most influential colours in their lives and work. Through insightful conversations you hear about the meaning and psychology of colours through the guest's personal story about their own creative work.
In each episode, we ask guests to talk about their passion for colour and where it comes from. We review a significant piece of our guest’s work where colour has played an important role, and also where they find inspiration – ending each episode with the musical element "the sound of a colour”.
Be prepared for laughter, tears and everything in between.
With kind support from
LATEST EPISODE
Episode 12 – Note Design Studio what if colour could tell stories about who we are and how we live?
In this special live recording from Formland, I speak with Sanna Wåhlin, interior architect and partner at Stockholm-based Note Design Studio, about colour as a tool for storytelling and self-expression. Note Design Studio is known for its bold use of colour and materiality, creating interiors, furniture, and textiles that explore how colour transforms spaces and emotions.
In this episode Note Design Studio share how they search for the “vibration point” where colours push boundaries and transform spaces. We talk about their textile collection for Kvadrat Febrik, their practical advice for using colour with confidence, and why stepping beyond beige isn’t as scary as it seems.
See more about Note Design Studio’s work on their website www.notedesignstudio.se
Or follow Note Design Studio on their instagram @notedesignstudio
Episode 12 – Note Design Studio,
What if colour could tell stories about who we are and how we live?
In this special live recording from Formland, I speak with Sanna Wåhlin, interior architect and partner at Stockholm-based Note Design Studio, about colour as a tool for storytelling and self-expression. Note Design Studio is known for its bold use of colour and materiality, creating interiors, furniture, and textiles that explore how colour transforms spaces and emotions.
In this episode Note Design Studio share how they search for the “vibration point” where colours push boundaries and transform spaces. We talk about their textile collection for Kvadrat Febrik, their practical advice for using colour with confidence, and why stepping beyond beige isn’t as scary as it seems.
See more about Note Design Studio’s work on their website www.notedesignstudio.se
Or follow Note Design Studio on their instagram @notedesignstudio
Episode 11 – Marie Hermann Herwald, When colours whisper & shout
In this episode of The Sound of Colour, I meet Danish artist Marie Herwald Hermann, whose practice moves between quiet glazes and bursts of euphoric colour. For Marie, colour is never static - it swings like a pendulum between subtle whispers and joyful shouts, always in conversation with the colours around it.
In this episode we dive into how disappointment in the kiln can spark new ideas, how gloss and matte finishes shape the way spaces feel, and why the quietest, most ordinary objects sometimes have the most to say.
See more about Marie Herwald Hermann’s work on her website www.mariehermann.com
Or follow Marie Herwald Hermann on her instagram @m_t_hermann
Episode 10 – Fredrik Paulsen, Colours beyond bullshit
In this episode of The Sound of Colour, I meet designer Fredrik Paulsen—known for his punk approach to design and an unapologetic love of bold, clashing colours. Rooted in subcultures, music, and the DIY ethos, Fredrik’s design language is raw and emotional. For him, design is something social—something that invites participation, conversation, and community.
We talk about designing with emotion rather than perfection, how 90s rave culture shaped his palette, and why creating spaces for people to meet might just be the most important kind of design.
See more about Fredrik Paulsen’s work on his website www.fredrikpaulsen.com
Or follow Fredrik Paulsen on his instagram @fredrikpaulsen
Episode 09 – Alex Proba,
Emotional design in sunset hues and swimming pool blues
Join me in this episode, as I explore the power of colour with multidisciplinary designer and artist Alex Proba, whose instinctive and joyful approach to design defies conventional rules and embraces colour as a tool for emotional connection.
In this episode, Alex shares how she cultivates an intuitive relationship with colour, why she avoids pinterest, and how even the colours she dislikes have an essential role to play. We also explore the deeper purpose behind her work: making people feel good.
See more about Alex Proba’s work on her website www.studioproba.com
Or follow Alex Proba on her instagram @alexproba
Episode 08 – Nicolai Wiig-Hansen,
How dyslexia transformed his realtionship with colour
In this episode of ‘The Sound of Colours’ I meet up with designer Nicholai Wiig-Hansen, co-founder of Raawii, whose unique way of perceiving colour has influenced his approach to design in fascinating ways.
Designer Nicholai Wiig-Hansen grew up surrounded by art, shaping his deep and instinctive connection to colour. In this episode we dive into his creative process, from testing 20-30 colour variations for each product to designing with light in mind. Nicholai explains why nature is the ultimate colour inspiration, how colours create emotional journeys, and why good design considers how shades shift throughout the day.
See more about Nicholai Wiig-Hansen’s work on his website www.wiighansen.com
Or check out www.raawii.eu
Or follow Nicholai Wiig-Hansen on his instagram @nicholaiwiig
Episode 07 – Clara Von Zweigbergk
Breaking free from monochrome design
In this episode of ‘The Sound of Colours’ I meet up with designer Clara von Zweigbergk, whose passion for colour has shaped her career and outlook on life.
Clara von Zweigbergk shares her experiences of breaking through the monochrome trends of the 90s. Discover how she has witnessed the evolution of colour acceptance in design and how it has become a crucial part of contemporary creative practices.
Clara talks about how her travels inspire her endless collection of coloured papers, and she shares her innovative approach to design, emphasising the tactile selection of colours that resonate on a deeper emotional level.
See more about Clara von Zweigbergk’s work on her website www.claravonzweigbergk.se
Or follow Clara von Zweigbergk on her instagram @claravonzweigbergk
Episode 06 – Stamuli,
How colour shapes experience in retail design
In this episode of "The Sound of Colour”, I meet up with founding partner Emanuele Stamuli and architect Alessandro Bruzzone from Stamuli. Stamuli is an architect studio that designs high-end stores for international fashion brands, as well as residential projects and hip furniture. They are a collective of creatives who share a rationalistic approach to design, combined with a passion for geometry, textures and of course colour.
What if colours could transform your mood and even redefine your space? In this episode, we discuss exactly this, Stamuli shares how colour can act as light in architectural spaces, how to approach colours for projects where strict client briefs requires very specific brand colours and how to work with that and still create innovative spaces. And last but not least we talk about how to work with colours without actually adding any colours to your design.
See more about Stamuli’s work on their website www.stamuli.com
Or follow Stamuli on their instagram @stamuliab
Episode 05 –
Bethan Laura Wood, A compelling journey into the kaleidoscopic world of colour
In this episode of "The Sound of Colour”, I meet up with multidisciplinary designer Bethan Laura Wood. Her work is an explosion of craftsmanship, patterns, material investigation and colour.
In this episode Bethan tells me how her lifelong passion for colour always has been a powerful means of self-expression from an early age. We discuss how colours evoke personal emotions and the delicate balancing act of weaving personal enjoyment with commercial project demands. Discover how the cultural and historical significance of colour plays a big part in Bethan’s creative process and design philosophy.
See more about Bethan Laura Wood’s work on her website www.bethanlaurawood.com
Or follow Bethan Laura Wood on her instagram @bethanlaurawood
Episode 04 – John Booth,
Can you ensure that colours have a long-asting appeal in design?
In this episode of "The Sound of Colour”, I chat to artist and designer John Booth. His work is permeated by a vivid colour palette with juxtaposition of tones and pigments, it is at the core of everything that he does.
In this episode John and I talk about how you design with colours for longevity, how growing up with a twin sister has given him the love of putting colours together and how running two practices is an exercise in juggling design styles and collaborating with another creative. We delve into his design project, The Bronto Collection, a tableware collection for Swedish Hem to get to grips with his design process.
See more about John Booth’s work on his website
www.john-booth.com
Or follow John Booth on his instagram @john_booth