The Origin of the Natural Colour System (NCS): The Founders Sivik, Tönquist and Hård

Introduction

The Natural Colour System (NCS) is one of the most influential and comprehensive colour systems in the world. Developed in the 1970s and 1980s, it offers a standardised way of describing and categorising colours, based on human perception. This article examines the origin of the NCS and highlights the contributions of the founders Anders Hård, Lars Sivik and Olle Tönquist.

What is the Natural Colour System (NCS)?

The NCS is a colour system that describes colours on the basis of six elementary colours that are fundamental to human colour perception: white, black, yellow, red, blue and green. The system uses these elementary colours to create a unique notation that precisely defines every colour in terms of perception.

The Founders of the NCS

Anders Hård

Biography: Anders Hård was a Swedish colour scientist and one of the key figures in the development of the NCS. His work laid the foundation for a standardised approach to colour communication.

Contributions: Hård's research focused on understanding the fundamental principles of colour perception and applying these principles to a practical system that could be widely used. He was involved in founding the Scandinavian Colour Institute, which played a central role in the development and promotion of the NCS.