Riccardo Falcinelli on Color, Industry, and the Banality of Modern Visual Culture

In a conversation with Artribune, graphic designer Riccardo Falcinelli reflects on his 2017 book 'Cromorama' (Einaudi), which explores the transformation of color perception due to industrial and digital advancements. He explains that prior to synthetic dyes, colors were associated with specific materials. The advent of the Industrial Revolution allowed for color reproduction, resulting in a flat aesthetic prevalent in digital design. Falcinelli views solid color as a hallmark of modernity, noting that achieving flat tints posed challenges for Michelangelo. He critiques Pantone's Color of the Year as a form of corporate marketing, referencing Ladurée's sage green as a nostalgic trend. He underscores the importance of understanding reader expectations in book cover design and defends the use of stock photography as a practical solution. Ultimately, Falcinelli asserts that the real challenge lies in crafting complexity within a rapid, superficial system.