CMG’s International Color Forecasters Reveal Current Color Trends
I recently participated in the
International Color Marketing Group (CMG) color forecasting conference.
This is a write up on the event from CMG:
Color
is a powerful communications tool that CMG members use
to create and reinforce product image. The Color Forecasts developed at
the CMG Spring Conference represent colors for a variety of consumer products. CMG
members are professionals who enhance the function, salability and/or quality
of a product through their knowledge and application of color.
Participants
agreed that color sophistication among consumers is increasing and color
experimentation is growing for 2006-2007. Consumers are now seeking an
emotional connection with color. And now, more than ever, colors in most
industries must be livable, versatile and have longevity. Consumers are making
durable but versatile choices. Accent colors with added dimension and
character are replacing trendy “pop” colors.
According
to Susan Hayes Hoover, CMG, chairman of the Consumer Colors Current® Committee,
the most influential colors for 2006-2007 that came out of the Consumer
Colors Current® Workshops were from the red and blue family.
Reds
continue to lead the consumer forecast and are heading into two distinct
directions. Workshop participants found the red
family to be the most “livable.” The family of reds is heavily influenced by
the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympics as well as global influences from Central
America and India. Reds
are both cooling down and warming up simultaneously.
A
new introduction to the red family is Rubino.
A raspberry hue, this is a departure from the classic Marrakesh Red from
last year’s Consumer Colors Current® Forecast that is still the best selling
consumer red. The diverging red was a dominant story.
Workshop
participants have also seen cooler reds becoming more chromatic with deeper
pinks moving toward coral, while the warmer reds have been popular for
years and are becoming classic colors.
While
reds continue to dominate the forecast, blues, specifically blues inspired
by the environment, are leading the color grouping.
In
the blue family, Aqueous is a sophisticated new introduction
that bridges blue and green inspired by spa influences and ocean hues. Aqueous
was seen as both an accent color as well as a predominant color – a new
retro that is often paired with brown.
Additionally, the workshop participants talked of a big movement from yellow green to blue-based green. An increase in knowledge and awareness of sustainability and eco-savvy products and processes is the influence.
See also: The PANTONEView Home 2007 Forecast
