Zena O'Connor, PhD - Evidence-based Colour Consultant

Contact: Email – zena@zenaoconnor.com.au
LinkedIn link ORCID – 0000-0001-5741-7104 link

A retired academic, Zena is one of a handful of people with a PhD that investigated the interface between colour and human response within the context of planning policy (University of Sydney, Faculty of Architecture, Design & Planning).

Zena established 2120 Music to contribute in a positive way to the music community by promoting and providing performance opportunities for singer-songwriters. Since 2019, 2120 Music has held ~80 events featuring over 100 artists in Sydney (Australia), Muscle Shoals and Nashville (USA). Social media: @2120music @muscleshoalsmusicnow

A designer by training, Zena is an evidence-based color design research consultant who established Design Research Associates in 2006 to provide insight, validation and colour strategies for design, the built environment, branding and advertising. From 2006 to 2023, projects included strategies to improve environmental visual literacy for healthcare, aged care and dementia care projects; evidence-based colour strategies for the urban and built environment; data visualization; logo design, product design and branding.

Clients included Aevum Limited, Art Gallery of NSW, Arts Health Institute, Arvida Group (NZ), Auckland District Health Board, Auckland City Hospital, Bupa (NZ), Deicke Richards Architects (Brisbane), Dept. of Public Works, Greene King (UK), Haugstad Møbel (Norway), ING Communities, Klein Architects (Auckland), Mirvac, New Zealand Health Design Council, Norna AI (Sweden), North Sydney Council, Porter Novelli, Oslo Planning Dept. (Norway), Suncorp Bank, Taylor Fry, and numerous private clients.

As an adjunct lecturer, Zena developed and taught eight TEQSA-compliant university courses:

Designing with Colour I, Designing with Colour II & Effective Visual Communications Design – University of Sydney (Faculty of Architecture, Design & Planning), 2010-2015.
Applied Colour (Interior Design) & Advanced Colour (Built Environment) – Sydney Design School, 2016-2018.
Theories of Colour – University of NSW (Faculty of Art + Design, formerly COFA), 2007-2016.
Design Perspectives and Applications & Art/Design Evolution – Wentworth Institute, Sydney, 2012-2015.
Course advisory committee member, Academic Board, Wentworth Institute (2011) and tutor at University of NSW for Design History, Theory and Aesthetics I, II & III (2007-2009).

In addition, Zena developed and delivered multiple short courses and workshops including:

Effective colour for Healthcare, Aged Care and Dementia Care – Australian Aged Care Industry Association, 2021-2024.
Specified Colour vs. Perceived Colour, Colour for Architecture &Colour for Engagement, Orientation and Wayfinding – Resene, Australia & New Zealand, 2016-2023.
Colour Fundamentals, Colour Psychology, Colour Apps and Tools & Visual Communications Design – Design Research Associates + Orana College, Sydney, 2018-2023.

As an independent researcher, Zena published 80+ peer-reviewed books, book chapters, academic articles and conference papers, and delivered numerous public talks from 2003 to 2024. Zena was awarded the Resene Colour Maestro Prize (2017) and won three Research prizes (University of Sydney) from 2006 to 2008. You can check out Zena’s full list of publications here or at Academia.edu profile (currently listed in the top 5%).

An individual member of the AIC (International Colour Association) 2009-2022; Environmental Design Research Association (emeritus); Inter-Society Color Council (USA); Design Institute of Australia; CAC member of the Sydney Harbour Trust (2007-2017), and Foundation Member of the Art Gallery of New South Wales (2001-2022).

Education
PhD – University of Sydney (Faculty of Architecture, Design & Planning) – link to PhD thesis at USYD
Master’s Degree in Design, University of Technology Sydney
Bachelor of Business Degree (Major in Marketing), University of Technology Sydney
Graduate Diploma in Design, University of Technology Sydney (formerly Sydney College of the Arts)
Shillito Design School, Sydney.