The worldwide reach of color: insights by global color guru Leatrice “Lee” Eiseman

Leatrice “Lee” Eiseman: international color authority, consultant, executive director, educator, book author and so much more!

Color aficionados the globe over,

Greetings to you all! I’ve been a very busy bee jetting all over the world and domestically. Last month I set out to Tucson, Arizona, to interview my dear friend, mentor, confidante in business and life, and globally recognized color authority and educator, Leatrice “Lee” Eiseman.

Who better to be my first podcast guest than the world’s most prolific color expert and forecaster? I’ve said often that everything I do begins and ends with color in some form or fashion, so naturally Lee came to mind as my premiere guest! She and I sat down in her Tucson, Arizona color studio to officially launch my podcast—Coloring My Way Across The Globe—and naturally delve into our lives of color!

How blessed am I to have Lee as a true mentor, advisor, teacher and friend in the color industry! I first met Lee on Bainbridge Island, Washington in 2015 at one of her signature color courses for color design professionals.

In this my premier podcast episode, Lee and I discuss “color across the globe” as art form, science, business and a multi-billion dollar industry that affects almost every area of life and business.

Together we compare stories of our colorful travels abroad and what it means for us, two color professionals, to live life in color! We cover quite a bit of material during the interview, including travel tips, how Lee assesses the colorful nature of any travel destination, and even some accounts of her extensive work in corporate color consulting and forecasting.

Lee has been influential in color naming and specification for some of the world’s most iconic brands! We conducted the interview a mere four days or so prior to the launch of the PANTONE 2024 color of the year. Lee is an essential member of the forecasting and decision making team each year as PANTONE draws consensus on the newly minted color of the year. I joked with her, poking and prodding a bit for Lee to reveal the color of the year to us early, friends, but she unwaveringly maintained her silence on the matter. :)

As it turns out, the 2024 PANTONE color of the year is Peach Fuzz, and there was ironically a piece of peach toned, abstract art in Lee’s home that drew my eye and curiosity. There’s a fascinating history and story behind this piece, and we also discuss that on the podcast.

Ever stylish and effervescent Lee poses in her living area with aforementioned abstract piece that captivated me. Tune into Episode 1 of the podcast to hear the story behind the piece and the artist—a former nun!

Let it be known that Lee’s beloved pup—Maxi—made a guest appearance at certain points during the interview. Heehee! He also wanted to weigh in on matters of color. Seriously, I fell in love with little Maxi during my extended weekend in Tucson, so we decided on an impromptu poolside photo shoot. Why not?

Just a girl and a new pup friend—Maxi!

Maxi boy, my new canine BFF

Color friends since 2015—I am so grateful for this precious soul, her hospitality and kind spirit!

Friends, please tune into the episode here: Episode 1: The Worldwide Reach of Color with PANTONE’s Lee Eiseman. You will be in for such a treat. Color is a topic that I have found to fascinate, perplex at times, and enthrall almost everyone, not just creatives.

I would lastly like to thank Lee for her time and expertise shared, as well as her willingness to help me launch my color, travel and culture based podcast, Coloring My Way Across The Globe.

For more information on Lee and her professional work, as well as her color courses and books, please see the links and information below!

Colorful regards across the globe—

Lauren Battistini

GUEST INFO:

Leatrice “Lee” Eiseman is the Director of the Eiseman Center for Color Information & Training AND Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute.

Eiseman is a professional color specialist who is often called the international color guru. Her color expertise is recognized worldwide, particularly as executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

Lee has been widely quoted in many publications and recognized by Fortune Magazine and the Wall St. Journal as one of the most influential people in the world of color. She is the author of ten books on color. 

GUEST LINK: www.leatriceeiseman.com