TDR Interviews: Ivy Ross for Google's Making Sense of Color at MDW24
Upon entering the exhibit, one will be enveloped in Chromasonic's vibrant light and sound installation featuring repeating translucent scrims that seamlessly create a mesmerizing series of open rooms and interstitial spaces. In this fascinating multi-layered experiential environment, each of the 21 spaces or nodes, will be activated by a single source of light and spatialized sound. As one freely wanders through and around the nodes, moment by moment, utilizing Chromasonic Refrequencing which translates sound frequencies to light and light frequencies to sound, light is made audible and sound visible. This unique phenomenon gives rise to a depth of immersion that makes each person acutely aware of the connection between their body’s subtle movements and the movement of other people within this one-of-a-kind refreshing installation. A harmonizing of the mind and body connection through light and sound.
From there, the exhibit experience effortlessly shifts as one moves onto a series of spaces, each dedicated to a distinct vivid shade inspired and informed by a specific sensation. A journey culminating in a feast for the eyes shows how color comes to life through the design of Google’s alluring hardware portfolio that will be on display. Making Sense of Color continues the conversation on thoughtful design by showing how color transforms our experience with the world around us.
We decided to dig deeper and know more - so read on as Ivy Ross passionately narrates the intriguing story of her journey into the world of design, tells us what’s next and more.
Photography courtesy of Chromasonic
The Design Release: Tell us about yourself.
Ivy Ross: My father was a designer for the famous industrial designer Raymond Lowey in the 50's. The house he designed which I grew up in, was in a movie that Andy Warhol made. So I grew up with a father who taught me how to see things beyond what they appear, instilling an innate sense of creativity and imagination which I thought everyone had.
In my 20's I was a metalsmith crafting jewelry that ended up in 12 international museums. But as much as I loved making things as an artist, I had more ideas than fingers and it was lonely. And so began my career as a designer working in fashion to furniture, toys, accessories and most recently technology. I have never repeated the same category - I like applying myself to new ones.
TDR: Tell us about your journey at Google so far.
IR: I’ve been at Google for almost 10 years now. At first, I was brought into GoogleX originally to work on the 2nd edition of Google Glass which ended up going into industry as the technology was not good enough for the public at that time. However - Google did decide to make its own phones and home speakers and so I became the Vice President of Design of Google's Hardware Product area.
The product portfolio over the years has grown to incorporate phones, watches, earbuds, tablets, cameras, speakers and thermostats for the home. I am now the Vice President in charge of the design, research and user experience for these products as well as the design and construction of our Google retail hardware stores.
TDR: Take us through the upcoming exhibition Making Sense of Color at Milan Design Week 2024.
IR: Making Sense of Color is a journey from the ethereal to the material which shines a light on the sensorial qualities of color; an experiential contemplation by which we ask - what does color feel like? Sound like? Look like? Smell like? Taste like?
Step by step, sense by sense, we serve up answers to these questions using the power of color to simultaneously create sensations and play on perceptions. From there, the experience culminates with an expansive feast for the eyes that showcases how color comes to life through the design of Google’s hardware portfolio which will be on display.
Photography courtesy of Chromasonic
TDR: Why did you decide to collaborate with Chromasonic for this exhibition?
IR: Chromasonic is an innovative arts and research lab and their work is at the intersection of art + science. They embrace both physical and virtual sensory technologies to craft visceral experiences which truly resonate with us and relate to how we approach design.
In the case of Making Sense of Color, their portion of the exhibit embodies the answer to the question - what does color sound like?
TDR: How does color play a powerful role in Google's latest hardware design?
IR: Color evokes emotion. We always think about not just how products look or perform but how they feel as well. Each and every shade gives off a different vibration and has a biological and psychological effect on people. We are conscious of always having a range of hues that feel right for the moment in time. For instance - this year we have a particular tone of blue in our products which is extremely calming.
TDR: What was the source of inspiration?
IR: In 2019 at Salone we created an experience named A Space for Being. By having our guests wear a band that was gathering biological information, we were able to show each individual how different aesthetic elements change how our body feels. The elements were shape, color, texture, light and sound.
Last year's experience, on the other hand, explored shape with our watch which was inspired by a drop of water while this year delves into the multisensorial nature of color, asking the question - how does color feel, sound, look, smell and taste? So our hope is that our viewers walk away with an appreciation for the power of color to affect us on multiple levels.
TDR: What was your favorite part of getting this exhibition together?
IR: Well - my favorite part of this exhibition is co-creating with so many talented people from diverse backgrounds, all focusing on a common vision.
Photography courtesy of Chromasonic
TDR: What were the challenges that were faced?
IR: Definitely too many ideas and not enough space for them all!
TDR: What are you looking forward to during Milan Design Week 2024?
IR: Most of all - seeing how our guests react to the experience we have curated for them. Additionally, each year I have no preconceived notion of which exhibitions I want to see, but always enjoy taking a day to check out all the ones folks are talking about by day 2.
I’m also looking forward to having dinner with both my team and friends that I get to see once a year at the show and I usually let them pick the restaurant as I love trying new ones. And of course, to shopping in Milano - having been in fashion at one point in my career, it’s one of my favorite places to shop.
TDR: What’s next?
IR: We are working on our next hardware product line for both 2025 and 2026 and as soon as Salone is over, I’ll start thinking about the 2025 exhibit!
TDR: What can one find you doing if you’re not working?
IR: Walking in nature along the ocean or in the forest!
Photography courtesy of Chromasonic
Making Sense of Color
16th to 21st April 2024 - 10:00 to 17:30
Garage 21, Via Archimede, 26, 20129 Milano MI, Italy