Susan Farnand Headshot

Susan Farnand

Associate Professor

Color Science Program
College of Science
Graduate Program Director, Color Science
susan.farnand@rit.edu
585-475-4567
Office Location
COL-1087

Susan Farnand

Associate Professor

Color Science Program
College of Science
Graduate Program Director, Color Science

Education

BS, Cornell University; MS, Ph.D., Rochester Institute of Technology

Areas of Expertise
Color Science
Color Vision
Perception
Psychophysics
Cognitive Neuroscience
Science of Art
Printing

Select Scholarship

Journal Paper
Kuzio, Olivia R. and Susan P. Farnand. "Toward Practical Spectral Imaging beyond a Laboratory Context." Heritage 5. 4 (2022): 4140-4160. Print.
Kuzio, Olivia and Susan Farnand. "Comparing Practical Spectral Imaging Methods for Cultural Heritage Studio Photography." ACM Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage 16. 1 (2022): 1-13. Web.
Anku, A. and Susan P. Farnand. "Preferred white balance for applications using virtual backgrounds." Color Research & Application 46. 6 (2021): 1227-1244. Print.
Published Conference Proceedings
Kuzio, Olivia R. and Susan P. Farnand. "Beyond RGB: A spectral image processing software application for cultural heritage studio photography." Proceedings of the IS&T's Archiving 2022 Online. Ed. IS&T. Springfield, VA: IS&T, 2022. Web.
Kuzio, Olivia R. and Susan P. Farnand. "Simulating the Effect of Camera and Lens Choice for Color Accurate Spectral Imaging of Cultural Heritage Materials." Proceedings of the International Colour Association (AIC) Conference 2022, Toronto, Canada. Ed. AIC. Toronto, Canada: AIC, 2022. Web.
Dimoff, Dara and Susan P. Farnand. "Representative Color of Skin Tones and Natural Objects." Proceedings of the Color and Imaging 2022, Scottsdale AZ. Ed. IS&T. Scottsdale, AZ: IS&T, 2022. Web.
Invited Paper
Kuzio, Olivia R. and Susan P. Farnand. "Two is Better Than One: True color museum imaging using dual illumination." Designing Lighting. (2022). Web.
Farnand, Susan P. "Evaluating Colour Quality of Smartphone Images." Transactions Imaging/Art/Science: Image Quality, Content and Aesthetics. (2019). Print.
Invited Keynote/Presentation
Farnand, Susan P. "Color appearance of facial images." Color and Imaging Conference. IS&T. Scottsdale, AZ. 14 Nov. 2022. Conference Presentation.
Williams, Don and Susan Farnand. "Modern Tools for Color Reproduction." Munsell Centennial Color Symposium. ISCC/AIC. Boston, MA. 11 Jun. 2018. Conference Presentation.
Book Chapter
Farnand, Susan P. "Adaptation." Encyclopedia of Color Science and Technology. Ed. Renzo Shamey. NA, NA: Springer Publishing Company, Incorporated, 2019. NA. Web.
Farnand, Susan P. and Rolf G. Kuehni. "Colors: Where are they?" Encyclopedia of Color Science and Technology. Ed. Renzo Shamey. NA, NA: Springer Publishing Company, Incorporated, 2020. NA. Web.
Peer Reviewed/Juried Poster Presentation or Conference Paper
Farnand, Susan and Mingming Wang. "Building a Database of Gaze Information for Automotive Simulator Operators Making Critical Driving Decisions." Proceedings of the Understanding Images in Biological and Computer Vision. Ed. Andrew Schofield. London, England: Royal Society.
Carpenter, Katherine, Anthony Vodacek, and Susan Farnand. "Smartphone Calibration for Crowd-Sourced Determination of the Presence of Cyanobacteria in Water Samples." Proceedings of the Munsell Centennial Color Symposium. Ed. Paula Alessi, Maggie Maggio. Boston, MA: n.p..
Murdoch, Michael and Susan Farnand. "Tools for Online Color Science Education: Color Order, Color Vision, & Color Measurement." Proceedings of the Munsell Centennial Color Symposium. Ed. Paula Alessi, Maggie Maggio. Boston, MA: n.p..
Invited Article/Publication
Carpenter, Katherine and Susan Farnand. "A Validation Study of a Perceptually-Based Metric of Smartphone Image Quality." IEEE Standards Education. (2017). Web.

Currently Teaching

CGNS-322
Animal Vision
3 Credits
This course explores the varied approaches to visually acquiring information employed by animals occupying aquatic and land-based environments, including lens-based, mirror, and compound eyes. Students will prepare oral presentations and written assignments based on the course readings and independent research. Students will develop the professional skills required for formal scientific presentations and writing.
CLRS-201
Color Science for the Visual Arts
3 Credits
Color has been a topic of intense interest and inquiry for thousands of years. Knowledge of color science can be an aid to visual artists and those who study the visual arts such as art historians and conservators. Topics include the building blocks of color, seeing color, producing color, displaying color, reproducing color, and conserving color.
CLRS-750
Historical Research Perspectives
1 Credits
Historical Research Perspectives is a weekly forum in which students will learn about historical and classic topics in color science. The course focuses on journal club discussions of papers selected by the students and faculty. It also includes oral presentations from students, laboratory staff, and faculty as well as visiting speakers from within and external to RIT. Students will prepare their own oral presentations and written assignments based on the course readings and independent research. Students will develop professional skills required for formal scientific presentations and writing.
CLRS-790
Research & Thesis
1 - 6 Credits
Masters-level research by the candidate on an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.
CLRS-791
Continuation of Thesis
0 Credits
Continuation of Thesis
CLRS-799
Color Science Independent Study
1 - 4 Credits
CLRS-890
Research & Thesis
1 - 6 Credits
Masters-level research by the candidate on an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.
CLRS-891
Continuation of Thesis
0 Credits
Continuation of Thesis
IMGS-699
Imaging Science Graduate Co-op
0 Credits
This course is a cooperative education experience for graduate imaging science students.
IMGS-890
Research & Thesis
1 - 6 Credits
Doctoral-level research by the candidate on an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.
IMGS-891
Continuation of Thesis
0 Credits
Continuation of Thesis

In the News

  • March 10, 2023

    three researchers lining up color samples on a machine with a camera.

    Color science program partners with Norwegian University of Science and Technology

    RIT’s color science program is partnering with counterparts from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology to provide faculty and students new foreign exchange learning opportunities. The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills awarded a 3 million Norwegian Krone (roughly $300,000) UTFORSK grant to fund travel opportunities for graduate students and faculty involved with both programs.