On the questionable utility of color space for understanding perception

Abstract

The concept of color space is ubiquitous in color science and technology and is applied to a wide variety of stimulus, signal, and perceptual dimensions. This Color Forum paper aims to discuss the concept of representing color in a multidimensional geometric space and whether such a concept is useful in helping us understand human color perception. The conclusion is that the concept of color space might not be of utility, but the hope is that this paper prompts further thoughts and review by others and motivates additional Color Forum papers that either provide examples of the utility of the color space concept or add further support to the idea that it might be time to look at color differently.