color marketing group

Color Marketing Group (CMG), founded in 1962 and based in Alexandria VA, is an international, not-for-profit association of 1,500 color designers. Color designers are professionals who enhance the function, salability and quality of a product through their knowledge and appropriate application of color. CMG members forecast color directions one to three years in advance for all industries, manufactured products and services. These consumer, residential, contract and commercial products include the following categories: Action/Recreation, Consumer Goods, Technology, Home, Visual Communications, Transportation, Juvenile Products, Fashion, and Environments for Office, Health Care, Retail, Hospitality/Entertainment and Institutional/Public Spaces. Contact: www.colormarketing.org

OPTIMISM DRIVES 2005 CONSUMER COLOR PALETTE

The emotional response to color humanizes hues for 2005, according to the color designers of the Color Marketing Group. While consumers desire comfort, stability and security, they optimistically yearn for bright and fresh signs of a better world to come. CMG's color professionals expect next year's colors to convey a respectfully serious nature yet touch the soul. They chose a 2005 Consumer Color Directions Forecast that includes many light-infused, optimistic colors.

ACTION / RECREATION

Crafted precision, the machine-made over the man-made, sets the trend for Action/ Recreation colors. Geometric patterning, micro-textures and high-tech metallics replace pearlized finishes. Action/ Recreation colors for 2005 are warmer, while Bucko and Sonic emphasize a strong direction toward yellow.

Bucko
This rugged, outdoor lifestyle neutral with performance energy is a natural.

Atomic
This retro red is "news" for Action/ Recreation. Traditionally signifying faster, better and stronger, Atomic is a recognizable icon of energy and power.

Cylinder
Crafted with precision, this technology-based gray has the softness of natural ore.

Olivery
Direct from nature with environmental overtones, a peaceful hint of blue brings a tech-y feel to the yellow-green family.

Sonic
Function, visibility and energy drive this high-performance color with youthful optimism.

CONSUMER GOODS

While technology moves faster than ever, consumers are looking for security and simplicity. The desire to return to our roots leads us back to traditional materials such as metal, leather, wood and sand. The result is nature-based color being applied to the latest technological products.

Just Steel
Technology with a mineral base, Just Steel connotes durability and strength. It is grounded and masculine, yet versatile.

Intrigue Blue
Aquatic and atmospheric, Intrigue Blue is a luxurious neutral. It circles the globe and appeals to all cultures.

Living Green
The ying and yang of nature and technology converge to create this complex yet subdued green.

Fire Copper
Raw and earthy, reminiscent of handcrafted metals, Fire Copper exudes a warm glow, touching the soul.

Sea Shell
A safe haven, Sea Shell provides simplicity and security.

HOME

Color is a substance, not just a surface. Infused with light, Home colors continue to soften and become more serene. Consumers form an emotional connection with color, and these fresh and joyful hues will bring healing to their lives. CMG color designers predict that many consumers will still be playing it safe with color in 2005, but an optimistic desire for bright and fresh hues will also emerge. As a signal of better days ahead, the direction toward yellow is seen in the new colors.

Sea Coral
A sensually tactile hue comes Home from fashion and cosmetics. Yellow infuses pink with a healthy glow.

Latin Rose
Baked by the equatorial sun, red is softened and neutralized. Latin Rose embraces us all.

Twilight Shadow
Serene and safe, this red-infused blue is airy and atmospheric. Twilight Shadow inspires spiritual reflection.

Eden
A new beginning, Eden creates optimism and rejuvenation. This organic green is a symbol of the desire for rebirth and recovery.

VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS

The answers are in the shadows. Black and white give way to color that allow for individual expression and cultural diversity. Edges are blurred, luster sculpts patterns, tone on tone creates textures, and interference pigments bend light resulting in a discreet luxury. Uncertainty, fragility and turmoil create the desire for serenity and security. The strong cast of blue is seen in Soulful Grape, Northern Lights and Washed Away, while Black Sapphire becomes the new black.

Virtual Tango
Pulled from the Web, this exotic color dances and creates a technological bright with multicultural appeal.

Soulful Grape
Spirituality draws this ceremonial purple from our past into the future.

Black Sapphire
Tradition with a youthful twist, safety with an attitude, this petrol-tinged jewel reinvents corporate blue.

Northern Lights
A blue-cast silver shimmering with luminous undertones, Northern Lights is a safe and secure, mineral-based answer to consumer uncertainty.

Washed Away
Clean and aquatic, it respectfully reminds us of the scarcity of pure water.

TRANSPORTATION

The popularity of silver evolves to anodized metal finishes, grays and color-tinted silvers. Weatherized, burnished patinas and finish alternatives replace silver and chrome.

Briar
Straight from the European high-fashion runways, this natural interpretation of red moves to automotive interiors and exteriors.

Miami Ice
Light, clean and sophisticated, this retro blue without special effects is new to transportation. Inspiration for Miami Ice comes from the usage of this warm blue in fashion, graphics, home furnishings and cosmetics.

Silver Leaf
As silver evolves, this minty pastel is a new way to do green. Silver Leaf is inspired by 2004's Glassy and by the widespread usage of glass in architecture, electronics and product design.

Driftwood
Borrowed from fashion, electronics and architecture, this complex warm gray is more conservative than silver. Driftwood is a cost-effective and comfortable alternative to nickel, chrome and stainless steel.

Chiblonde
A fresh interpretation of gold, with white highlights. Inspired by European fashion and cosmetics.

FASHION

Fashion is a movement, a seasonal blending and layering. CMG's color professionals see three emerging directions influencing color for 2005:

Rustic
Antiqued, vintage, distressed, tea-dyed, dusky.

Urban Sheen
Layered special effects, translucent, complex structures.

World Spiced
Textured and refreshed basic shades are reinterpreted.

color directions include:

Clay Pot
International spice blends with global rustic influences into a shade suitable for men, women, accessories and cosmetics. The solid shade, inspired by old tapestries, rugs and textiles, is familiar and comforting.

Good Earth
This rugged and rustic explorer adventures to red rock country and metropolitan rock piles. The personalized, aggressive protector is up-country to urban for menswear, womenswear, accessories and cosmetics.

Thistle Bloom
This vintage, retro and antiqued dusky purple will be enhanced with special effects such as metallics and pearlescents, and aluminized into shimmer and glitz. Thistle Bloom signals fashion's return to purple and transcends all segments of the market.

Late Night Blue
As replacement for black, this saturated blue gives depth and indicates trust and respect for our heritage, patriotism, the military and their uniforms. It is denim morphed into the darkest of hues, and become richer than black in menswear, womenswear, accessories and cosmetics.

Sulphur
Khaki goes green and becomes an urban survivalist shade. An edgy neutral with techno undertones, Sulphur enhances layering and can be iridescent, translucent or shimmering.