COLOR ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES
by Margaret Walch
Margaret Walch is director of The Color Association of the United States and an avid film-, museum- and gallery-goer. She writes on color from a historical and sociological perspective, and frequently lectures in the U.S. and abroad. Margaret organizes and oversees the four forecasting committees of the association that select colors two years in advance of a selling season, and is the author of The Color Compendium and Living Colors: A Guide To Palettes Through The Ages.
As color technology continues to develop, the Color Association of the United States is entering into more and more different design realms. The association was originally established in 1915 by leading silk and wool mills to guide fashion industries in anticipating and coordinating popular color taste in the United States. In 1915, almost 90% of the association's members were to be found within the textile and textile-related industries. Today, 90 years later, more than 50% of the association's membership works in hard goods industries such as home products, stationery and packaging. Nonetheless, the same question is asked every season: What colors will be the most appealing to, and have the largest impact on the American market?
For the near future, the Color Association is projecting vivid shades and multicolored approaches to design. America has cast off its chromophobia, and it is up to designers to find ever more attractive and practical ways for consumers to adopt color in their everyday lives.
Environmental/Interiors forecast 2006-07
Setting a mood with color is now a priority - how a color affects us psychologically and what kind of an experience it creates are paramount in design decision-making. In uncertain and fearful times, we are looking to nature to lead the way. Thus, poppy reds, sunny yellows, honey ochers and ocean corals, along with cooling combinations of aqua and cobalt blues, are projected in the Color Association's Environmental/Interiors Forecast. In the neutrals group, Birch Silver and off-whites are also forecasted, while metal tones like Copper, Gold and Platinum continue their current popularity. Patinas, finishes and innovations in surface textures are definitely more in the forefront, as consumers look for special effects from products old and new, whether glass, enamel, tiles or L.E.D lighting.
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