| The primary purpose of this study was to document the color analysis industry for the benefit of potential consumers, educators, and consultants. The study dealt with consumer satisfaction or dissatisfaction, consultant training and preparation, reasons that non-consumers do not seek color advice; and compared the general color knowledge of these three groups. The secondary purpose was to analyze the sometimes conflicting lay color advice systems and their relation to established, scientific color theory.;A review of physics light theories, psychological theories and artist's pigment theories of color established standards to be used in examining the lay color advice literature. Twenty-one different lay color analysis systems were investigated. A data sheet was prepared to examine this color advice literature. Examination showed that such literature makes very little mention of standard color theories.;Interview schedules were prepared for telephone interviews with consumers and non-consumers and for personal interviews with consultants. Each included a test of color knowledge and selected demographic information. Fifty consumers, fifty non-consumers, and fifteen consultants were interviewed. The color knowledge test showed that consumers and non-consumers have little knowledge of standard color theories. Consultants in this study had somewhat better knowledge of scientific color theories but were not using them in their advice sessions.;No significant relationships were shown between lack of color knowledge and consumer satisfaction or between selected aspects of the analysis session and consumer satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Consumers in this study, with little color knowledge or basis for comparison, were generally satisfied with their color analysis sessions and were following the advice to some extent. Consumers who had experienced conflicting advice in more than one analysis appeared to be the most dissatisfied. |
