I know the year is practically half over, but did you know that the color of the year 2013 is Emerald Green? Oh really, say all of you green haters out there – you can’t force a color on me or anyone else! (As a designer, I can certainly attest to that fact.) But, lest you feel manipulated by some artistic and collective “big brother”, color trend forecasters may be telling you something that you already know.
First, a little history lesson. Color forecasting came into being following World War I. Consumer oriented companies, to ensure healthy sales during a struggling economy, came together to share observations and color research. Their purpose was to guide their designers (this includes home, fashion, and industrial products) to create products across the board that would appeal to a large audience. This would assure mutual success.
Color forecasting is utilized in every every aspect of our life.
Today, these forecasters are called “color czars” and they still hold sway over goods we consume everyday. Members perform their own research and convene twice a year to debate and choose upcoming color palettes. What I find fascinating, however, is that the forecasters are part designer, part sociologist, and part predictor. They consider what’s happening culturally and how it impacts our national mood (example: Red – strong and patriotic, was chosen after the attacks on September 11; the next year was a calm and serene blue). Then they take all of that information and translate it into what colors we’ll be wearing and decorating with in the next year – colors that we are innately drawn to.
Forecasters believe green is the color of growth, renewal and prosperity.
Like everything else in life, technology has changed the way forecasting progresses. Color trend forecasting cycles traditionally were driven by fashion first. With social media and information sharing now at lightning speed, trends can start anywhere – home to fashion or auto industry to home.
Today’s new Lexus color may be tomorrow’s new trend in kitchen cabinetry.
