FEATURE | ANNUAL COLOR FORECAST
Illustration: Diane Von Furstenberg, courtesy Pantone, Inc.
FASHION, TECHNOLOGY, ECONOMY AND
SPECIAL EFFECTS SHAPE FUTURE TRENDS
Color communicates and color sells — products, messages, ideas, environments. So it is not surprising that the art of color forecasting grows more important with each passing year, especially for graphic and other professional designers who shape the visual world.
This June 2001 special report includes the views of the best at color forecasting: the Color Association of the United States, the Color Marketing Group, the Pantone Color Institute, as well as many designers and other creative professionals.
While each participant brings unique insights to the process, you will also see a few common themes, most notably: fashion, and the return to classic and sophisticated tones; technology, and the acceleration of the evolution of color; the economy, with flashes of brilliant color amidst more muted tones during periods of economic uncertainty; and special effects, the pervasiveness of two-tones, metallics, pearlescence, iridescence.
We also note that graphic communicators — and not just clients, manufacturers, interior and fashion designers — increasingly have a proactive role in the choice and direction of color.
—The Editors
ALL FASHION ILLUSTRATIONS HAVE BEEN REPRODUCED FROM
THE PANTONE FASHION COLOR REPORT. COURTESY PANTONE, INC.
PETER SOM
COLORS: elegant neutrals — gray flannel, multiple shades of brown (chocolate, nutria, mahogany and java), tonic and oyster tan; eclectic "off" colors in avocado green, plum, purple, orchid pink, celery; and black and white
INSPIRATION: my college years in Connecticut — a mix of Greenwich, Connecticut carpool moms via the nonchalant chic of Marisa Berenson
SIGNATURE COLOR: chocolate with warm red undertones color philosophy: menswear classics tossed together with uncontrived feminine flourishes
MAX AZRIA, BCBG
COLORS: dark shades like black, bitter chocolate and olives to neutral shades that are complementary
INSPIRATION: the medieval era shadows and armor, metallics, rugged leathers, antiqued and burnished finishes signature color: tones of browns for a warm, luxurious feeling
COLOR PHILOSOPHY: re-inventing shades of black, brown and olives
CURRENT TREND: Black is a strong theme throughout as well as dark undertones of black. These are more important than vibrant colors. Bright colors tend to act more as item pieces in the collection.
CARMEN MARC VALVO
COLORS: storm gray, petrol and pewter accentuated by black and ivory
INSPIRATION: film noir, especially the films of Marlene Deitrich, Greta Garbo and Katherine Hepburn
SIGNATURE COLOR: black, ivory and pewter alone, together and striped
COLOR PHILOSOPHY: My color philosophy for Fall 2001 is predicated by man tailoring and androgynous looks hued by a minimal color statement.
CHOMPOL SERIMONT
COLORS: royal purples and gold with earthy taupes and browns
INSPIRATION: conquering classes by confusing the colors associated with royalty and peasantry
SIGNATURE COLOR: rich amethyst with accents of shimmering gold, earthy browns and taupes against rustic oranges and military greens
COLOR PHILOSOPHY: a mixture of classes: uptown vs. downtown, rich man vs. poor man, nobleman vs. everyman
CURRENT TREND: empowering the wearer to "learn" how to wear color and make a statement... the ability to say, "look at me," without saying a word
DOUGLAS HANNANT
COLORS: copper (pink undertone), vermilion red, olive green, midnight navy, black
INSPIRATION: modernist architects and furniture designers — Eileen Gray, Mies Van Der Rohe, Nuetra, Bruer Le Corbusier
SIGNATURE COLOR: vermilion paired with pink copper
COLOR PHILOSOPHY: sophisticated hues, urban, chic
CURRENT TREND: It's time for a stronger, sleeker, chic woman. Colors will be much more sophisticated to reflect this attitude. She definitely has a black leather tendency.
DIANE VON FURSTENBERG
COLORS: black, charcoal, dark brown and raisin
INSPIRATION: The mood is ethereal but sharp, so colors range from dusties to darks and pale to bright
SIGNATURE COLOR: dark brown and charcoal with black undertones
COLOR PHILOSOPHY: It is a dark mood with some bright hues highlighting and accenting certain fabrication
CURRENT TREND: A return to dark colors — black, gray, brown, etc. It is time for chic, modern, strong-looking clothes
JEFF MAHSHIE, CHAIKEN
COLORS: phantom black, doe, steel gray and chocolate brown with royal blue, very berry and deep violet as accents
INSPIRATION: the need for life to be simple and straightforward with an occasional element of excitement
SIGNATURE COLOR: royal blue with red undertones
COLOR PHILOSOPHY: Let color accent — not overpower
BADGLEY MISCHKA
COLORS: black, chocolate, wine, burgundy, gold
INSPIRATION: the rich colors of old Central Park brick walls, college campuses and brownstones, as well as the elegance of Marisa Berenson
COLOR PHILOSOPHY: a burnished, dark, mysterious and sexy palette where the colors complement each other well
CURRENT TREND: a combination of neutrals and brights — going completely one way or the other does not look as interesting
HOME COLORS 2002 REFLECT NEW INFLUENCES
PROVENCAL
For many consumers, French Country is a never-changing lifestyle look of country — comfortable, charming,
casual and infinitely livable. There's that inevitable French "je ne sais quoi," a charming juxtaposition of
colors that bring a seemingly effortless good cheer and whimsy into the home. The colors are clean mid-tones in
forget me not blues, chrysanthemum red, rose-mauves, yellows, pink lavenders, garden greens and tasty creams.
SICILY
An homage to traditionalism, but with an Italian touch of diversity and color that results in rococo meeting rustic. The
hot new place to visit on the continent, Sicily inspires palettes that celebrate its history spiced with the colors of the
region. Shades such as rich wines, olive green, rosewood , mineral yellows and mocha conjure up the spirit of the
country: its antiquity, vistasand vineyards.
PALM SPRINGS
The spirit of the southwest is reinvented with a tribute to the movie star glamour of past times. It's vintage style and
color with a dusting of the desert. A combination of prickly pink blossoms popping out of green succulents, of ginger
brown hillsides against a blue gray sky, the inevitable warm sandy beiges cooled off by a splash of swimming pool
green.
RIO
It's party time in Rio, an infusion of Latin rhythms and the pulsating tones that reflect the warm-blooded colors of this
active fun-loving area. This palette represents the continuing trend to the red family, not a single shade of red but
several vibrant offspring, among them a true red, a dancing fandango pink, a hot red purple and coral red, often
paired with a complementary green and/or radiant yellow. Black is added as a final note of drama.
AQUEOUS
Just as water is necessary to survival, there are those who choose not to live without this everlastingly constant color
family. The blue family is a continuing favorite, but most directional are the castaway colors of the sea: greenish blues,
the quiet soothing aquas, tropical ocean turquoises, navy blues, oyster whites radiating under a soft sunlit yellow.
ILLUSION
Illusion is as much about texture and sound as it is about color. It is a diaphanous, lighter than-air palette that calls
for muted, whispering, soft and silent tints — pastels that are so infinitely light that they sometimes seem an
illusion rather than reality.
URBAN OASIS
Urban oasis reflects all that speaks of the big city at dusk. The cool, "metallic" colors of the waning light,
of concrete, cement and stone. Of the blues and grayed lavenders of descending night shot with threads of cognac
and pale gold. It is an intimate,sophisticated palette, a group of elegant shades meant for those who revel in the
rhythm of big city life, yet seek a calming respite at the end of the day.
CMG 2003 CONTRACT COLOR DIRECTIONS FORECAST
RED LACQUER This life force color is a multicultural, dramatic red that clearly defines the direction of red. It is slightly browned, polished, layered, and hand-rubbed.
DEEP PURPLE Inherently regal, this purple provides a perfect musical balance between rich reds and majestic blues.
TAPENADE As an eco-tone bridging forests and wetlands, it is rich in nutrients. This tasty olive from fashion acts as a backdrop for the brights.
CHILL A cool, icy splash of pale blue-green represents the inner child of an adult palette. Its cool presence is much needed to balance the other warm spicy colors.
LILY PAD A "Ribbiting" color that leaps from outside to indoors; this green goes inside out.
WISPER Atmospheric and ethereal, this pale purple is a fashion-inspired, color-infused neutral.
BASALT This liquid, flexible neutral gray is a tectonic color — earth's basic building block.
SILK ROAD Reminiscent of spun gold, this hue adds luminosity and warmth to an environment and complements all colors in the palette.
SQUASH Representing the natural evolution of orange, this warm and comfortable, non-gender specific color bridges the age gap from youth to maturity.
CMG 2002 CONTRACT COLOR DIRECTIONS FORECAST
ASTRO GREEN A clean, clear soothing green.
BALI A brighter, clearer water color. A green-blue that is a counterbalance to red.
BASHFUL A cosmetic fashion-based neutral.
BERRY GOOD Orchid with a "mauve-alous" retro flare.
CALM SPRINGS The perfect blue as we move from land-based colors to those influenced by the sea and sky.
DESERT NIGHT The dark of night. A deep purple that transitions from warm to cold.
MAZENTA A new twist on magenta. A fun color that leaps from retro right into the future.
MINERALITE The combination of wood, mineral, and metal — three essential elements of design and color merge into a brown bronze.
READY FOR RED Purely primary!
SATIN SHEET A luminous lighter neutral, complex but not hue-specific.
TANGY A fashion-influenced orange. Adventurous, daring color that rockets into space.
CMG 2002 CONSUMER COLOR DIRECTIONS FORECAST
BLUE BAYOU The shift of classic navy toward an updated techno-version of blue with a metallic, watery sheen.
CHOCOLATE RAISIN With its blending of brown into black, this saturated hue has a strong horticultural influence. It is complex, captivating and elegant in its richness.
ESSENCE OF LILAC An extreme, pale botanical blue with a hint of lilac. It supports the desire for translucency across all market segments.
EUREKA A cool yellow drawing its influence from Morocco and Vietnam. It's supernatural and strong, yet provides an energized contentment.
FATHOM A key bridge of green into blue, it addresses the continuation and evolution of teals inspired by blue. Its sophisticated coloration completes the mind's need for peace and serenity.
GINGKO The botanical green of dried grasslands, bridging the fresh excitement from mustard greens with the relaxing feel of a forest's treasured mosses.
LANGOSTINO Bridges orange, pink and red, yet it's softened and veiled.
LEMONCELLO The hybridization of nature and technology into a sophisticated yellow, with a calming green influence.
MESA VERDE The return of true green, heralding a move away from recent acidity lime-greens. Strongly influenced by an undertone of blue, it is natural and refreshing.
MOON SHADOW Provides a respite from technology and reflects our fascination with atmospheric grays. A hueful neutral that allows other colors to retain their individual appeal.
OXYGEN A blue sky as seen through glass block. A breath of fresh air representing a silver influence on aquatic blues.
PINEAPPLE A pale, luminescent yellow with organic overtones. It bridges spring into winter with a softness that is almost a neutral, but is able to maintain its color placement through a sense of light.
ROSA ROJA A multicultural, non-synthetic red with a strong Latin influence. A romantic red that comes alive for both men and women.
SYCAMORE The evolution of a classic neutral. Edgy but luxurious.
TANGY A natural, yet clear orange.
TIGER LILY A complex and multidimensional orange combining the vibrant florals of nature, with the satisfying glow of a quiet fire.
CMG 2001 CONSUMER COLORS
AMAIZING Pale, yet vibrant yellow warmed with a touch of red.
ASTRO GREEN A clean, clear soothing green.
AUTUMN OAK Orange-based, weathered brown with natural dye characteristics.
BLACK PANSY Deep, blackened, blue-based purple.
BLUE TOO Saturated, bright and fun blue.
CAPRI BLUE Soothing aquatic blue that is slightly influenced by yellow.
COCOBOLA Chameleon color that is neither brown nor red, but a deep earth hue.
COPPER BLUSH Remindful of a translucent cameo, tinted with white and pink.
GLASS BLOCK Blue-green hue inspired by soothing aqua and the lightness of being.
LAVENDARE Pale, but cross-gender, pastel purple.
MARRAKESH RED Soft red exuding the earthiness of natural dyes used from Morocco to India.
ORANGE SPICE Sophisticated, yet energetic, orange also inspired by the Asian influence.
PINK LADY Soft and sophisticated, yet strong, this true pink will combine with many different tones.
PURE PURPLE Mid-range purple that can be exciting and fun, as well as subdued.
SANDY EGG-O Clean and vibrant yellow with lots of personality.
SILVER STRAND BLUE Clean, calm, medium gray-blue.
SMUDGED GREEN Warm, dirty neutral with green undertones and a trace of yellow.
STORM An industrial and mechanical hue, resulting from the merge of mineral blues and greens.
TUSCAN CLAY Tinted terra cotta inspired by the Asian influence.
COLOR ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES
COLOR ASSERTS ITSELF AS LAST PLAYFUL PRESERVE WITH SPECIAL EFFECTS PERVASIVE
ABOUT COLOR ASSOCIATION
OF THE UNITED STATES
CAUS, established in 1915, issues seasonal fashion forecasts in three categories (women's, men's and children's) as
well as an annual forecast in the field of environmental/interior design. Color forecasts are released 20 months in advance.
In apparel, the two seasonal forecasts are displayed in colored yarns or fabrics; in environmental/interior design, the yearly
forecast is shown in silk-screened paper and fabric. The colors are determined by a 12-member panel of working
professionals in a variety of residential and contract interior industries, including fabric, floor covering, architectural and
interior design, paints and laminates. The forecast is accompanied by a deck of silk-screened paper swatches.
contact: www.colorassociation.com
Generally, color is moving toward more colorfulness and special effects, contends the Color Association of the United States. Margaret Walch, CAUS director, says that overall, palettes, whether graphic or interior, will be clearer and warmer. The trend toward special effects includes two tones, pearlescence, iridescence, metallics and metallicized shades.
The CAUS Forecast for 2002/2003 is determined by a panel of 12 professionals working in various design fields. Many factors influence their selection of shades, including: major art exhibitions; major trade shows, such as NeoCon; the economy; new materials, such as Mylar or Inova; focus on particular areas of design, such as wood furniture; the global focus at any given time.
On the 2002/2003 Forecast, grays, periwinkle blues, and yellowed greens continue. Yellow tones and terra-cottas make a significant showing. Deep reds, mauve and deep patinaed golds are shown.
The economy invariably has a large effect on color, notes Walch. "In every major depression, black, grays and browns have been pervasive. At the moment, color would appear to be flying in the face of difficult times, asserting itself as perhaps the last playful preserve." But, Walch continues, "the economy might alter the interpretations of our predictions if designers were to become very cautious. Safe, meaning perennially popular, colors might be favored over 'newer' fresher shades."
The internet and graphics generally and especially Japanese cartoon imagery of such artists as Yoshimoto Nara and Takashi Murakami have had enormous impact, Walch contends, creating markets for multicolored and special effects designs.
Graphic design, largely because of the tremendous influence on children's markets and cartoon imagery at this time, is assuming a leadership role, rather than that of a follower in contemporary color design.
An important direction in color is how the appearance of color is being altered by new and various materials. Metallics and metallicizing of color has been the beginning of this color direction.
SPECIAL FASHION EFFECTS
"It is very clear that color and print remain a strong story for Fall 2001, as seen in the recent runway shows in New York. The juxtaposition of diverse elements has created new special effects and textures for the upcoming season. In this way, color takes on a dynamic dimension as it is seen from a leather to a Lurex to a sheer fabric, even within the palette of black," comments Karyn Valino, CAUS associate director.
"Examples included Custo Barcelona, a company known for its bold multiprinted shirts, which showed a wide range of geometric and illustrative graphics on tops and bottoms for both men and women. Against a black backdrop, Vivienne Tam's girls wore dramatic black with large printed paint splattered tops, dresses and skirts. Fiery orange fabric pieced with black leather formed a modern corset and was worn with an orange-printed skirt. While many of her clothes made bold statements in color, some of the more interesting elements were found in the details... Mixing new elements — materials, textures and finishes — is an exciting way to add new color interest, particularly in paper, packaging, interiors and product design," concludes Valino.
FUN EFFECTS IN INTERIORS
Margaret Walch offers several examples of fun effects in interiors: "Special effects have created atmospheres of pizazz in New York City's restaurants, hotels and at retail. In Rosa Mexicano's second restaurant, designed by the Rockwell Group, the notable special effect is a deep blue wall hung with miniature white plaster deep-sea divers in various positions of descent. Complementing this cool wall are multicolored carpeting and upholstery in reds, pinks and oranges that suggests the colors of the Mexican architects, Luis Barragan and Ricardo Legoretta. The Hudson Hotel, designed by Philippe Starck, "abounds in showiness and delights in assembling different styles. The ride from the street to the hotel is on a brushed silvery and neon yellow glass escalator. Woody and dark colors mark the reception area and cafeteria. Multiple groupings of different styles of chairs (leather, upholstered, aluminum and various woods) surround small tables along the walls. The main bar has a chalky ceiling mural, lighted flooring dotted with candles and brick walls. Tardini, the Milanese purveyor of exotic leather handbags and shoes, uses a dramatic floor-to-ceiling swirl of white-taupe-brown tilework on the first floor. The neutral tilework sets off the colored exotic leather skins of the women's purses and shoes. The basement level has shoes and leather accessories for men and uses the same effect of floor-to-ceiling design in white Corian with brown wall accents."
What makes these spaces intriguing, says Walch, is that they use familiar materials and colors in unexpected ways to achieve startling effects. In this way, the spaces present themselves as "new," and seem "fresh," appropriate for a new century.
SPECIAL EFFECTS IN COSMETICS
"The hype of the millennium has come and gone; with it came the expectation of futuristic and millennium styles and colors within every aspect of the industry", says Amber Green, CAUS intern from Bournemouth, England. "The desire to sparkle and twinkle is still here and the move away from flat color is seen everywhere. One industry that has excelled in this area is cosmetics. Not only are they moving away from flat color, they are using holographic particles instead of glitter, UV substitutes in nail varnish and iridescent creams for eyes instead of powders... Packaging has also taken on new forms with products being sold in test tubes and vacuum-packed plastic bags."
COLOR MARKETING GROUP
COLORS INSPIRED BY FASHION, STIMULATED BY TECHNOLOGY
ABOUT COLOR MARKETING GROUP
CMG, founded in 1962, is an international not-for-profit association of 1,700 color designers who forecast color directions
one to three years in advance for all industries, manufactured products and services. These Consumer/ Residential and
Contract/Commercial products include: interior/exterior home, transportation, architectural/building, communications/graphics,
fashion, action/recreation, and environments for office, health care, retail, and hospitality/ entertainment. CMG's major focus
is to identify the direction of color trends; then CMG members translate that information into salable colors for manufactured
products in all industries.
contact: www.colormarketing.org
Color reigned at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando at the 2001 Spring International Conference held in April and attended by some 650 members of the Color Marketing Group. CMG president and Kenvil, New Jersey-based marketing consultant Jay de Sibour's opening remarks set the tone: "Welcome to the Magic Kingdom of Color!" While talking about the world of CMG changing at a dizzying pace, with advancing technologies, global economies and more communications than ever, he dubbed this the "Communications Conference." Overall themes of the conference pointed toward colors inspired by fashion and stimulated by technology.
"Static organizations cannot survive in today's competitive global economy. For those involved in creative color design and marketing for future products, change occurs rapidly and continuously. So stated Terry L. Paulson, Ph.D., CSP, CPAE of Paulson and Associates in Agoura Hills, California, during his presentation "Making color trend changes work for you and your company — increasing your influence batting average." Other presentations included "Does technology lead trends or do trends lead technology?" by Donald Marinelli, Ph.D., professor at Carnegie Mellon University. He posed the question, "Is technology addressing the needs of society or are technological developments coming at such a rapid rate that we also have to invent the applications to find use for them?" The answer — an overwhelming YES!
In addition to presentations and workshops, the conference focused on CMG's forecast of 2003 Consumer Color Directions, which will be released to members this summer. Following are comments on CMG's 2003 Contract Forecast.
photo: Johnsonite and Color Marketing Group
FASHION DRIVES 2003 CONTRACT FORECAST
Inspired by fashion and stimulated by technology, the Contract/Commercial Colors for 2003 follow fashion's lead by creating "Fashion Fusion," described by CMG as a human connection to our various daily environments of office, health care, retail and hospitality/ entertainment. In addition, colors in contract industries will reflect a return to elegance and sophistication by utilizing more luxurious components that are both subtle and complex in nature.
"Color is no longer uni-dimensional. New technologies in color design, materials and manufacturing have opened an exciting world of color expression for creators and users of color in all industries. Pearlescence, metallics, iridescence, texture, layering and even colors that change with lighting conditions have given designers the ability to create fresh approaches to their products and materials," says Jay de Sibour.
Although sociological, environmental, economic and political influences are ever-present, Contract Colors in 2003 will more strongly reflect trends in fashion and technology, and the emergent desire to combine the two into a well-balanced environment. An example of this may be found in the office design of high-tech companies. Currently known for their bright high-energy environments, these companies will move toward a more permanent and stable atmosphere.
According to CMG Contract Color Directions co-chairman Karen Martin, Beaulieu Commercial, Adairsville, Georgia, "Fashion's influence of luxurious fabrics in warm, comfortable color combinations, complemented with fine handcrafted detail, will be instrumental in creating a personal connection to our surroundings."
Moved by technology, color will be renewed by metallic and special finishes. The tactile quality of design will strengthen as color, pattern and texture will be biologically connected. In 2003 we will not be able to think of color less its finish. This complexity will be important to the consumer in adding the quality appearance desired in the marketplace.
"New technology has allowed us to view color as three-dimensional instead of just a flat surface," explains CMG Contract Color Directions co-chairman Kristin Fraidenburgh, American Silk Mills Corp., New York City. "Metallic, pearlized, holographic, lacquered and sueded effects are just a few special finishes that are being combined with color to change its dimension. It is a growing belief that the special effect is inherent to the color and that they are meaningless if separated."
COLOR FINISHES PLAY VITAL ROLE IN 2002 COLOR FORECAST
Special effects, translucence and color layering are becoming critical to color and design. There is an increasing sophistication among both consumers and designers, expecting quality and more complex colors that are not necessarily recognizable. Technology has become a given in product design. Comments Robbie Douglas, Igloo Products, Houston, "With 21st century technologies allowing us to use special effects in a wide variety of products, pearlescence, iridescence, textures, and other complex finishes have continued to grow in importance. These unique subtleties in color finishes and sheens are playing a vital role in color marketing for many industries."
Mass media and the internet are changing the speed at which colors and trends move within our society and around the world. "The immediacy that the internet, television and other media afford brings new lifestyles and design influences into our homes and offices on a daily basis. This rapid consumer acceptance makes it much more important for us as product designers and marketers to keep abreast of developing color and design trends," says Ricki Gardner, Aristree, Coppell, Texas.
photo: Marlite and Color Marketing Group
TECHNOLOGY AND NATURE
"The technology revolution continues to accelerate the pace at which color evolves in the marketplace," said Hall Dillon, Dorn Color Card, Cleveland. "While blue will maintain its enviable position as the most important color of the decade, orange is foreseen to be the hue of optimism and happiness in 2002. It will find popularity in all age groups."
CMG experts say the influence of nature on the 2002 palette is deep-seated and will counterbalance the strong effects of the technology revolution. This dynamic relationship reflects a strong and consistent desire to balance the sensory overload from technology with the need for human sensory experience. Watery, aquatic-blues continue to be important, but botanical-blues will begin to emerge. Yellows and greens will remain strong. The newest yellows are being inspired by the organic qualities of fruits, vegetables and grains; the greens will bring grasslands to mind.
Social, cultural and economic trends play a role in the process of identifying future color trends. A strong Latin flavor is a consistent theme for the 2002 Consumer Palette, with additional influences from Morocco and Italy that will result in the appearance of lively reds, yellows and oranges. According to Sue Hannah, goodhome.com, New York City, "These influences will result in the desire for romantic and passionate earth-connected colors. The strong appeal to the younger generations will spill over to the Baby Boomers as a spirited, fresh new look."
SPECIAL EFFECTS
As a result of the technological influence, designers can no longer separate special effect and color: the color is the special effect and the special effect is the color. New advances in the field of color and design are driving the development of new pigments, materials and products, allowing designers to innovate with texture and special effects like never before. As a result, says CMG, most of the colors forecast for 2002 are just as important in a pearl finish as they are in a flat color.
"Consumers are increasingly intrigued by products and spaces that are sensory," adds Terrie Buch-O'Dell, Nevamar Decorative Surfaces, Odenton, Maryland. "Special effect finishes allow us to experience color in dimension, and that seems to be fueling the demand for pearlescent, iridescent, metallic and textured finishes. Special effect finishes add perceived value and have become an expected product attribute."
Overall, color directions for 2002 are fresh and clean, yet the colors are "fascinatingly adaptable," says CMG. Hues are ambiguous with mixed undertones that allow them to cross color families without being wholly defined by one.
photo: Barry Ridge Design and Color Marketing Group
CURRENT TRENDS
We thought it would be interesting to see what the forecasters had to say about 2001: This spring's wave of soft colors, led by blue, aqua and true lavender, is a response to consumers' desire for serenity in their environment. Back in 1999, CMG color forecasters selected blue (supported by an array of neutral colors in cool and warm gray, clay, taupe and pale brown) to be the most important color of the decade. As the need for more energizing colors continues to grow, and as a complement to blue, forecasters also predicted the emergence of spicy oranges, earthy reds, and golden browns reminiscent of natural dyes reflecting the global influence of regions such as Morocco and Asia.
It was anticipated that consumers would demand softer, but more energizing products that reflect both a physical and global influence in 2001 due to the following trends: consumers' desire for both products and colors that are authentic, possessing some degree of heritage, originality, tradition or craft that can be linked to cultural roots or personal interests; water's color, texture and calming effect continues to be integrated into product colors and design; globalization, especially the strong ethnic influences from Asia, Morocco and Turkey, continue to bring spicy and earthy colors to U.S. color palettes.
PANTONE
FALL 2001 FASHION COLOR MARKS RETURN TO CLASSIC AND SOPHISTICATED TONES OF 'MUTED MODERNITY' WITH FLASHES OF BRILLIANT COLOR
ABOUT PANTONE
Pantone, Inc., developer of the PANTONE Color Systems, is the leading source of traditional and
electronic products for the selection and accurate communication of color. With over 38 years of experience,
Pantone is recognized as the worldwide market leader in color communication and color technology
for the graphic design, printing, publishing, textile and plastics industries.
contact: www.pantone.com
For Fall 2001, the country's top fashion designers sent a clear message that when it comes to color, the modern woman wants nothing more than to get back to basics. Nowhere was this more apparent than at the women's shows during 7th on Sixth Fashion Week in New York's Bryant Park where designers toned it down and unveiled collections based around palettes of the utmost sophistication.
Whereas last season designers threw caution to the wind in their use of bold, bright colors in daring combinations, the fall collections were unapologetically subtle with only hints of the vibrant colors of spring. Rich chocolate browns, simple grays, earthy greens and creamy neutrals ruled the runways and sent a message of subtle simplicity and enduring elegance.
When color did make an entrance it was almost always as a highlight — set against a backdrop of the darker, more classic shades and neutrals. Striking fuchsia, radiant red and deep violet were the accent colors of choice and added an element of carefree whimsy to the collections.
Each season, Pantone surveys the designers showing at 7th on Sixth and collects feedback on prominent collection colors, color inspiration, color philosophy and each designer's signature shades. This information is then used to create the seasonal Pantone Fashion Color Report.
"Color has staying power and will definitely be a continuing trend, but with an overall muting of the
palette," says Lisa Herbert, executive vice president, Pantone Home and Fashion. "The classic colors
have been redefined with sophisticated subtlety. Luxurious yet functional, the new shades have an unusual
duality."
"Conventional wisdom has it that when the economy slows down, basic colors tend to dominate as a shaky economy means a more cautious and conservative consumer," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. "However, as fundamental as the colors were for fall, we did see flashes of brilliant color inserted here and there, perhaps as a way to lift people's spirits."
"The love affair with color continues into the year 2002 as consumers have discovered that color is the essential key to creating self-expression in the home," comments Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. "As more people are traveling, via the usual modes of transportation or via the internet, they are exposed to new influences that inspire innovative and fresh new ways of combining colors. Like the color forecast for fashion, this too trickles into graphics." Here are seven palettes of color that categorize some of the strongest trends for 2002, according to Eiseman.
COLOR BOOK EXPLORES MOODS:
SERENE, EARTHY, MELLOW, MUTED, CAPRICIOUS, SPIRITUAL, ROMANTIC, SENSUAL...
The Pantone Guide to Communicating with Color is a 144-page book by Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of
the Pantone Color Institute and founder of the Eiseman Center for Color Information and Training. Filled with
hundreds of color combinations and illustrations and sprinkled with "Color Factoids," it explores the
subliminal, emotional meaning of each color family and demonstrates effective color strategies for getting across
a certain message.
Sections are devoted to: Introduction/Importance of Color in the Marketplace; Speaking Color/Creating Color Schemes; Feeling Color/Color Awareness — Where Does It Come From?; Seeing Color/How We See — Color Perception; Color Families/Emotional Impact of Red, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Brown, Blue, Green, Purple, Neutrals, White, Black; Color Selection Process/Color Combination Cues, Dominant Colors and Responses; Color Combinations/Defining and Creating Moods with Color; Color Symbolism and Trends/Forecasting the Future; and Color Conversion/Ink Color Formulas for Printing.
In the Color Forecasting section of the book, Eiseman writes: "At one point in time, it was very simple to track the descending order of color trends and the amount of time it took to trickle down from one industry to another. But more recently, because of the rapid-fire availability of information and the newer technologies available to produce color in various applications, the lines between industries have become increasingly blurred...
"Color forecasting involves an intrepid perusal of all the issues and happenings that might influence color directions in the future. The internet, various periodicals, television shows that report on trends, trade shows and color forecasting organizations are excellent sources of trend information. As the information is so readily available, products destined for color changes are limited only by the time constraints demanded by research, development and manufacturing. The many areas to watch for signs of impending colors include:
- Fashion — The colors that march down the fashion runways inevitably will find their way into consumer products and will influence every area of design. It is the first place to look for "cutting edge" color... Color and style can also start with street fashion and work its way up onto the drawing boards of high fashion.
- The Entertainment World — The world of music, as well as the location and theme of films and popular television shows, especially those in the production phase, can be very influential. The colors worn by the rising stars or most visible performers are apt to be the most fashion-forward. Hot sports activities or team colors can also inspire color trends.
- Economic Issues — The state of the economy definitely has a psychological impact on the very practical aspects of spending money on various products. When the economy is down, people are more apt to be less colorful, opting instead for neutral colors. When people are more optimistic, they're inclined to make riskier choices with more vibrant color. This is one of the trickiest areas to prognosticate and often the colors are based on wishful thinking rather than reality.
- Technology — It's important to stay on top of the newer methods of creating color and how that might influence color palettes. For example, multicolored metallics that vary with the light source, new forms of gloss and reflective finishes, pearlescent and iridescent specialty effect pigments available in industrial applications for plastics, coatings, cosmetics and printing inks offer a whole new world of color possibilities.
According to Eiseman, other areas to watch include: museum collections; sociological issues, such as environmental concerns, political events, Olympics; cyclical patterns of color; lifestyle issues, such as work/casual attire; multicultural mixes; and current buzzwords.
EYE-ONE EMPOWERS CREATIVES WITH COLOR MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS; WEB SITE AND POSTERS ADD TO FUN
New Windsor NY: GretagMacbeth, a leading color measurement and management solutions provider, is introducing
an innovative system that simplifies creation, communication and management of color. The launch of Eye-One is
accompanied by a series of limited edition posters by the likes of Jose Ortega, Grant Richards, Michael Mabry, Jennifer
Sterling, and François Robert, as well as an overall integrated marketing program and designer-friendly web
site by watersdesign.
Engineered to meet the needs of the creative market, the Eye-One system includes both software and a measurement device and seeks to ensure consistent color reproduction across a wide range of media, eliminating guesswork and wasted proofs. Effective color management becomes increasingly vital as creative professionals take on digital photography, digital proofing and cross-media publishing. In addition, creative professionals need to communicate reliably with their clients and suppliers, in order to achieve faster turnaround time.
The system allows colors to be scanned from any source to create color palettes, so designers are not limited by the colors in their swatchbooks or the colors they can create on-screen. Palettes can be shared with clients or other design team members and can be exported to popular design applications. The system defines colors in terms of spectral data, which provides a comprehensive color description. This information can be precisely translated for all types of media and lighting environments, including print, large-format output, multimedia and the web. The system also creates profiles for all types of devices, including flat panel displays. To speed this process Eye-One features a scanning ruler that allows users to quickly measure their printer test charts, profiling software that uses a wizard approach with simple instructions and illustrations at every step, to simplify and speed the profiling process.
The Eye-One measuring device is powered by a USB connection and can be used with both the Mac and PC. The system comes in three configurations. Eye-One Monitor measures monitors only and is intended specifically for profiling monitors. Eye-One Pro measures both reflective and emissive (monitor) colors, and includes software for profiling the monitor. Eye-One Pro with Eye-One Match adds more software to profile input and output devices. The configurations retail for $600, $1500 and $3000, respectively. All three packages include the Pantone digital library.
POSTERS, WEB SITE AND INTEGRATED MARKETING
To celebrate the product introduction, GretagMacbeth commissioned five internationally renowned artists to create a unique set of limited edition posters. Only 2000 of each of the four limited edition posters (Richards and Mabry collaborated to create a single poster) will be produced. Several were raffled off at the Seybold Boston show in early April and others can be won by registering at the Eye-One web site, www.i1color.com. Each distinguished poster artist, Jose Ortega, Grant Richards, Michael Mabry, François Robert, and Jennifer Sterling, have had their work prominently showcased internationally in exclusive venues.
The posters are part of an integrated marketing campaign that centers on the Eye-One web site. The site is particularly fun and designer-friendly. It presents complex color knowledge in understandable ways, provides a chance for designers to tell their color stories through a professional exchange, and allows the submission of feedback on the system. In the same spirit, the site also offers Eye-One Share, a freeware product for creating and sharing color palettes. Other campaign elements orchestrated by watersdesign: limited edition Winking Woo dolls that are featured in advertising and were raffled off at Seybold Boston; and images borrowed from the Rhode Island School of Design color expert Aki Nurosi's book Colorful Illusions.
Design firm head and project lead John Waters says that the client deserves much of the credit for the lively campaign because "they were very receptive to reaching out and touching the creative community." Cathy Hofknecht, marketing manager at GretagMacbeth, returns the compliment, crediting watersdesign with thinking "outside the box." She says that "only a highly creative firm could develop a campaign that incorporates a web site, impactful print ads, original artwork, and the potential for extraordinary word-of-mouth." In addition to John Waters, creative credits go to: Crystal Harris, producer; Cheryl Oppenheim, creative director; Jennifer Baldwin, senior designer; Eric Bernhardi and Yosh Oshima, designers; Joanna Delacruz, Boris Shlenskiy and Jason Crowl, web developers; and Carolyn McCarron, communications strategist and writer.
Sums up GretagMacBeth vice president and general manager of digital imaging Francis Lamy: "With the Eye-One system, GretagMacbeth has positioned itself to redefine color management for creative professionals. This suite of tools is an unparalleled solution that is coupled with an accessible, intuitive user interface. Additionally, the Eye-One Share freeware leverages the power of the internet to further realize a truly distributed and collaborative creative environment."