Who We Are

Excellence in color design is achieved when you count on the expertise of our professionals. Barbara Richardson, our Director of Color Marketing and Erika Manley, Manager of our Color Design Studio, each bring more than thirty years of color experience to your project.

They provide inspiration, information and innovation with the color card and design program. Working together with their team of top color consultants and our scientists, chemists, technicians and field staff, Barbara and Erika research market trends, ananlyze movements within the design industry and forecast color directions.

Our industry leading color and style authorities, combined with the quality of our products, ensure the success of your project. Whether you choose to do your project on your own or hire a professional, allow our team to bring you the highest caliber tools in design today!

For more information on Barbara?s and Erika?s experience and expertise, please read their bio?s below.

Barbara Richardson

Director of Color Marketing

Barbara Richardson oversees the development of color programs for ICI Paints in North America, which is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. As Director of Color Marketing, she is responsible for the research and creation of unique presentations regarding color

In the Color Design Studio, as Color Consultant, Barbara began her career, where she spent more than 20 years working to develop color design concepts for commercial applications. This was followed by five years as Manager of the Design Studio, where her focus was devoted to growing the department and developing team skills to creatively use new computer technology. These abilities have advanced the staff’s services enabling them to create various color schemes and to reproduce them in photographs for viewing to contractor customers. In addition to a variety of programs, the Color Design Studio is also responsible for researching and forecasting color trends for the future. Currently, as Director of Color Marketing, Barbara’s primary goals are to expand color programs, create in-depth presentations and develop relationships with clients to completely address their color requirements.

Throughout her career, Barbara has appeared before professionals in her field, business audiences and the general public on television, radio and in personal presentations. Her expertise includes color and design trends, merchandising color, color restoration, as well as the psychological and physical aspects of color and other color-related topics.

Upon graduation from Cooper School of Art, Barbara immediately joined ICI Paints. In addition to her graphic and commercial art studies, Barbara also attended The Beck Center for Cultural Arts where she studied Fine Arts and has received her Interior Design certification from the New York School of Interior Design. Professional memberships include The Color Marketing Group (CMG), where she maintains the position of Chairholder; The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and other industry related affiliations.

Extensive travel throughout the United States and Canada has been an important focus throughout Richardson’s career. ICI Paints’ international presence has allowed Barbara to expand her knowledge base to include ideas from Europe, Australia and New Zealand, where travels have led to an understanding of client needs and market demands which are critical to success in the industry of color.

Erika K Manley

Color Design Studio Manager

Erika K Manley manages a team of designers in the Color Design Studio for ICI Paints, North America, which is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. As Manager, she is responsible for all commercial customer relations relating to color and design and growing the team’s skills and accomplishments as a benchmark group within the ICI Paints environment.

Erika began her career as Secretary, Color Design Studio, over 25 years ago, quickly advancing to Color Consultant, then Studio Advisor in 1995 and has held her current position as Manager since the year 2000. The Color Design Studio offers complimentary color and design assistance to ICI Paints’ commercial paint customers throughout North America through various avenues…a complete interior design service is available where ICI Paints colors are coordinated with wallcovering, carpeting and other essential design elements to create exceptional and exquisite interior spaces. Exterior design direction is offered through the Studio’s “Previews” service, using computer technology to aid customers in envisioning what a paint color would look like on a property before a gallon of paint is purchased. A new and growing service is the Custom Color Card program that is offered to many National Account customers, painting contractors and manufactured housing accounts. Studio customers also include property management companies, new home builders, shopping complexes, schools, health care institutions, and restaurants to name a few.

Erika has been influential in the design and development of ICI Paints color collateral…color systems well as various color cards/decks for both Trade and Retail.

Her design experience and background began upon first working in the Color Design Studio for ICI Paints with training through the New York School of Interior Design. Professional memberships have included the International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) where she served as Ohio Chapter President for several years. She has also been trained at the International Association of Color Consultants (IACC). This organization is the counterpart to the Salzburg Seminars of the IACC for Color and Environment, founded in 1957. She is also a member of The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).