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NORDIC LIGHT & COLOUR
7
NCS, the natural colour system, is a model for describing all
possible perceptions of surface colours through their degree
of similarity to up to four out of six elementary colours (yel-
low, red, green, blue, white, black). (Hård et al. 1996; Svensk
Standard 1997). It was chosen as the “colour language” of the
course, and to be able to follow the course the participants
were expected to understand its basic theory and concepts.
For this purpose they were given a short introductory text and
references to further reading.
Photometric concepts and measurements like illuminance (lux)
and luminance (cd/m
2
) have to be understood in order to follow
lectures and discussions that discuss light and lighting. The
participants were given a short introductory text that presented
the concepts and their interrelations, and gave some examples
of their use.
The pre-course test consisted of questions in a form that was
primarily meant to disclose potential misunderstandings. See
figure above for examples of such questions. Those who did not
pass the test got comments from the examiner and a second
chance, and finally all passed.
Once the course started, it became clear that the pre-course
literature and test had not been enough to convey the basic
understanding intended. The photometrical concepts gave
the least difficulties, which was obviously due to the fact that
practically all participants had already worked with light issues.
NCS, on the other hand, was new to several participants and
others had only used NCS samples and codes instrumentally
without considering the system behind them. During the course
it appeared that the introduction of NCS was not enough to give
the understanding that would make it useful in workshops and
discussions, and some extra time was allotted to explaining it.
BROWN
BLUE
GREEN
YELLOW
BLACK
PINK
DEEP RED
DARK BLUE
LIGHT GREY WHITE
CONCEPT
UNIT
Light source
Light falling on
surface
Light reflected
from surface
Illuminance
Luminance
Luminous flux
Luminous intensity
Examples of questions from the pre-course test.
NCS terminology: Two of the following terms could (but need not) refer to colours having the same HUE. Which two?
NCS terminology: Two of the following terms could (but need not) refer to colours having the same NUANCE.
Which two?
Lighting: The table includes four important concepts dealing with lighting. For each one of them, write the correspon-
ding unit (such as lumen, candela etc.) and place an X in the box telling if the concept says something about the light
source, about the light falling on to a surface or about the light reflected from a surface.
……….Tells something about ………