Color Trend Resources
Color forecasting is not an exact science as indicated by somewhat contrasting reports included here. Regardless, for artists, there is value in knowing the trends.
Colors trends can be found in many leading consumer products, including paint, home furnishings and fashion.
Manufacturers of automobiles and appliances also follow trends to help make color choices. Quite often, similar color trends straddle large segments of consumer products.
Color Trend Leaders
Companies such as Benjamin-Moore, which is a leading manufacturer of residential paints, provide clues to new colors. In an ad hoc manner, painting trends tend to inform home furnishing trends. As such, it's not unusual to find common color trends between painting manufacturers and fashion forward home furnishing retailers such as Crate & Barrel, and many others.
Color of the Year 2013
Benjamin-Moore predicts colors in 2013 will come from a pastel palette, including Lemon Sorbet, which it announced as its Color of the Year with this statement:
Luscious lemon sorbet (2019-60), our Color of the Year for 2013, is the perfect transitional color between the mid-tones and saturated colors seen in today's home furnishings and the softer, lighter pastels which are emerging for 2013.
This beautiful yellow harmonizes with other trending pastels in the mint, coral, pink, blue, and vanilla families. Uplifting without being overpowering, lemon sorbet (2019-60)complements almost any color palette and provides a unifying element for diverse spaces.
Other Color Trends
Benjamin-Moore predicts these color combinations will be popular in 2013:
Artisan |
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Urbanite |
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New Traditional |
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Coastal |
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Color Market Group Predicts Re-Blue
Color Marketing Group, a leading international association of color design professionals, predicts that Blue will dominate the color movement for a number of years. The number of BLUES represented across all CMG’s regional color forecasts is a key indicator of its importance. What is driving the rise of blue? Blue is a stable, comfortable, and a well liked color that is always present in a color palette.
Global/environmental issues regarding water and the political atmosphere are driving factors in the movement. Mineral blue pigment mines are becoming scarce. There is a push toward use and acceptance of synthetic blues which are cleaner, mineral blues more complex. The pricing of pigments is an issue.
Warmer, tropical, watery, blues with a touch of green dominate the movement. Blues are regarded as relaxing and calming, but when not careful with tone, they can become depressive and distant. Previous blues have been cleaner, more political, Olympic, and historical/traditional. Now people want warmer more aqueous blues. Blue is a popular color in many industries, but has met
resistance in others. Blue is popular across ages and demographic ‐ it is a reliable color. Our best color friend.
Color of the Year ReBlued:
“Color needs to reflect our mood, desires and state of mind. This fresh, true blue can be as energizing as it can be soothing. It's just the right hue for moving forward." says CMG’s President, Mark Woodman of Global Color Research Limited.
“RE” plays on several key lifestyle trends: REcycling, REnew, REmember, REwind, REcalibrate, REward and is REliable. RE‐BLUED works well with all colors of the palette; from warm and cool.
Blue is embraceable. As we move away from denim and indigo influences, this mid range blue takes over as the new desire. Its reliable nature comes from its ability to bridge generations, products and finishes.
Trends and Inspiration
In my book, How to Profit from the Art Print Market, there is an entire chapter devoted to trends and inspiration. I don't expect any independent artist to slavishly follow painting, home furnishing, or for that matter, other trends. However, there are clues to help you sell more art all around you.
Start making a habit of being aware on a conscious level how color palettes are changing. If your learn to let these influences inform you in ways that make sense for what you are doing with your art, you may find it easier to get more of it sold. This is particularly true if your market includes art prints, posters, giclees and the licensing market.
COMMENT SECTION:
There has begun an interesting dialog on this post in the comment section below. Scroll down to read. Your thoughts and opinions are welcome.
As a textile designer for clothing and tabletop,I see color forecasting as a false limit to creativity and eclectic style, much as the fashion coordinators who dictate personal palettes.
Posted by: Beth Surdut | November 25, 2012 at 03:10 PM
Dear Beth, Thank you for your comment. Your insights are appreciated. I can't imagine an artist slavishly following color trends... that would kill creativity. Nevertheless, being aware of what is happening around you, and letting your observations help inform your creativity can be helpful.
It could go either way. You may want zig when the crowd is zagging, and thus steadfastly avoid trends. Or, you may find a dollop of lemon sorbet adds just the right touch to piece you are creating. Whether or not one makes a conscious decision to know about trends, it is virtually impossible not to let them filter through one's mind.
Look how a Bauhaus mentality is taking over typography. It has moved to a flat, unadorned serviceable look as seen in the graphics and signage of the London Olympics, or in the new Windows 8 graphical interface.
If there were not an agreement of sorts to let style influence us, there would not have been a Bauhaus movement, or an Art Deco period. Wouldn't that have been a shame?
Posted by: Barney Davey | November 25, 2012 at 04:08 PM
As I understand it, home furnishings are the last to know.
Meaning, that fashion sets the colors first and it trickles down to home goods.
So, if you want to be up on color first for graphic design, I'd look to the fashion color forecasters. But, if you want to be you, ignore it all!
Posted by: Cheryl | November 26, 2012 at 05:29 AM
Hi Barney, I usually always post a color article at the beginning of the new year. I find it fascinating. I do agree that we shouldn't be dictated by what is 'in', but it is good to know the trends. Would you like to slightly modify this post for a guest post on my site? I'd love to have you on again, and you've done all the homework for me!
Thanks,
Lori :)
Posted by: Lori McNee | November 27, 2012 at 10:43 AM
Hi Lori,
It would be my pleasure. I will email you to get more details.
Cheers,
Barney
Posted by: Barney Davey | November 27, 2012 at 03:26 PM