This Color-Sensing Tool is a DIY Designer’s Dream
Ditch the heavy fan deck and replace it with this tiny, high-tech device.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Color matching in interior design is relatively subjective, but a groundbreaking innovation from a Canadian brand called Nix allows users to isolate and identify shades across the color spectrum in the world around them. According to Nix, “Color can be greatly affected by ambient lighting conditions and human error.” Using their device, however, a novice can scan a piece of ceramic, an art print, a book cover, cabinets, or sofa upholstery and easily find paint colors to perfectly match or coordinate.
Three Distinct Models
Nix launched their original Pro Color Sensor in 2015, and 2 years later, the company released a more compact and affordable version in the Nix Mini, which is destined to become a must-have for home decorators. Nix now produces three color-sensing devices: the Nix Mini 2 ($99), the Nix Pro 2 ($349), and the Nix Quality Control Sensor ($999).
The Mini series is intended for amateur home decorators, professional interior and graphic designers, and painters. The Pro series is best suited for color consultants, print technicians, paint store owners, and architects. The Nix Quality Control is intended for manufacturing and scientific purposes.
Compact and Easy to Use
Photo: Amazon.com
Nix devices come precalibrated, so there are no additional steps necessary upon setup. The device blocks out ambient light, allowing it to isolate the color of the targeted object. It also has its own light source, meaning it can also identify colors in shadowed areas. The Nix is shaped like a gemstone and houses a tiny lens and sensor to capture and identify the color of any surface.
The best part of these devices is that they’re tiny, with the Mini 2 weighing just 0.6 ounces, so it is easy to throw into a purse or pocket or attach to a keychain to use on the go. It’s also extremely durable and is designed for use during construction projects.
The devices feature rechargeable batteries that are compatible with micro-USB chargers. The Nix operates using very little power, though, allowing for up to 3,000 scans on a single charge of the Nix Mini.
Paint Color Selection
Photo: Amazon.com
The devices pair with a range of apps, including Nix Paints, Nix Digital, and Nix Pro. The Nix Paints app matches the color to a paint swatch in their database of more than 200,000 shades from top brands like Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, Valspar, Farrow & Ball, and Dulux. The app lets you choose your top five brands and only see results from those companies. If you want to match a paint color already found in your home, it’s as easy as scanning the wall and choosing from among the results.
Designers can also scan flooring, rugs, furniture pieces, or decorative accessories to find a paint color to match. Not only that—the app will also provide a palette of complementary colors to inspire your next design choices.
Digital Applications
Photo: istockphoto.com
Along with benefiting interior designers, Nix devices have major implications for digital designers. The Nix Digital app matches real-world shades to their corresponding digital color, providing codes for sRGB, CMYK, CIELAB, HEX, LCH(ab), LRV, and Hue systems. It also recommends monochromatic, complementary, and triadic shades to create a cohesive color palette. The app is compatible with Adobe Color Systems, so Nix is ideal for digital designers.
Get the Nix Mini 2 at Amazon for $99
Get the Nix Pro 2 at Amazon for $349
Get the Nix Quality Control Sensor at Amazon for $999
The prices listed here are accurate as of publication on 1/19/21.
