About Me
Hi, I’m Dawn Scott
Professional Colour Specialist & Inclusive Interior Designer
I’m a professional colour specialist and inclusive interior designer with nearly 25 years’ experience supporting architects, designers and organisations to create spaces that genuinely support wellbeing.
My work sits at the intersection of colour, human experience and inclusive design — translating how people feel in spaces into practical, evidence-based design decisions that work in the real world.
I specialise in commercial interiors, including healthcare, education, care and workplace environments, where thoughtful use of colour and materials can improve comfort, confidence and independence for a wide range of users.
Experience & Professional Focus
I began my career as an interior designer and have spent nearly 25 years working across a wide range of commercial environments. Over time, my practice has become increasingly focused on colour, inclusive design and the human experience of space.
I work primarily within healthcare, education, care and workplace settings — environments where design decisions have a direct impact on comfort, confidence, independence and wellbeing. My role is often to support design teams in making thoughtful, informed choices that balance functional requirements with how spaces are actually experienced by the people using them.
Colour, Wellbeing & Everyday Use
Colour underpins everything I do. Used well, it can support orientation, reduce anxiety, improve legibility and create a sense of safety and belonging. Used poorly, it can unintentionally exclude.
I work with colour as a functional design tool — informed by research, guidance and real-world use — helping designers and organisations make decisions that support wellbeing, accessibility and clarity across a wide range of settings.
Inclusive Design & Human Experience
Inclusive design is central to how I work. Alongside my professional background, I bring lived experience of neurodiversity, which has shaped my understanding of space as something we feel as much as we see.
I’m particularly interested in supporting people who may struggle to articulate what isn’t working for them. Much of my role involves listening for what goes unspoken — helping teams recognise emotional and sensory barriers, and translating those insights into practical, inclusive design decisions.
AI & Design Innovation
I also explore how AI can be used responsibly within interior design workflows — supporting creativity, communication and early-stage thinking.
My focus is always on keeping design human-centred, using technology to enhance understanding rather than replace lived insight or professional judgement.
How I Work
I’m collaborative, thoughtful and practical in my approach. Whether I’m supporting a design team, contributing to a project, delivering CPD or speaking at an event, my aim is the same — to help others make informed, empathetic design decisions that lead to better outcomes for real people.
Professional context
I am employed full time by AkzoNobel as a Senior Colour Designer within the Dulux Trade team. Much of my industry-facing work — including white papers, podcasts, CPDs and panel discussions — is undertaken as part of this role.
This website also reflects my independent professional thinking, writing and learning. The views expressed here are my own and do not necessarily represent those of my employer.
Inclusive design starts with understanding how spaces are experienced — especially by those whose voices aren’t always heard.
Inclusive design starts with understanding how spaces are experienced — especially by those whose voices aren’t always heard.
Interested in working together?
If you’d like to explore how colour, inclusive design or sensory-aware thinking could support your project, team or organisation, you’re welcome to get in touch.