Color in the Built Environment: Past, Present, and Future

Keeping color in building designs relevant to psychology, culture, and emerging trends.
This course is no longer active
[ Page 8 of 12 ]  previous page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 next page
Sponsored by Glidden Professional
Peter J. Arsenault, FAIA, NCARB, LEED-AP

Emerging Trends in Color

Applying color to the design of the built environment is a process that may begin in different ways depending on the structure, designer and goals for the project. The designer uses knowledge, experience and intuition in the creation of solutions for specific environments. The use of psychology and symbolism of individual colors in concert with each other allows for reinforcement and refinement of the intended outcomes. But what are the current, emerging trends in public perception of color themes?

An international not-for-profit association known as Color Marketing Group (CMG) has consistently taken on the challenge and task of addressing current and emerging color trends. This group of color professionals is made up of 1,100 diverse members who forecast one to three years in advance for all types of industries, manufactured products and services. These experts represent different parts of the world - South East Asia, India, USA, Canada, South America, South Africa and all regions of Europe and draw on a variety of national and international sources from fine art to technology, design to nature, architecture to fashion and music to popular culture. CMG's forecasts are developed annually through the collaborative efforts of the members who attend their regular international conferences. Each member prepares his or her own individual color directions forecast in advance of the conference, where over two dozen color forecast workshops take place simultaneously. During the conferences, workshop facilitators lead and direct small group discussions among the color design professionals. After many hours of interaction, each of the workshops develops a color directions forecast which then goes to a steering committee meeting. There, the process is repeated, until a general consensus forecast for the entire Conference is developed.

It is important to note that CMG's forecasts are color "directions" not directives, which are best interpreted by color designers, based on their specific industries and products. In addition design workshops track trends and their influences on design and color. These "influences" run the gamut from social issues to politics, the environment, the economy and cultural diversity. A particular group of color designers that participated in the overall CMG process has looked specifically at color for interior and exterior design and recognized some of the trends that are further described below.

First of all, to clarify what a trend is, it is helpful to look at the differences between a hype, a fashion and a trend. A hype is something that emerges suddenly, takes a group of people by storm - and then dissipates rapidly. Hypes are generally born unconsciously and come from some inner drive to be accepted, to belong. By contrast, a fashion is more current and is usually followed consciously - through clothes, toys, food and certain aspects of lifestyle. Finally, trends are drifts, inclinations and observable societal movements in a prevailing direction. Color trends can emerge from all corners of society - some appear rapidly, others develop over several years. Frequently major trends last for an enduring period of time, even decades, but manifest themselves each year in a slightly different way.

In terms of an overall emerging trend, it has been observed that in an era when everything seems possible, we now yearn to return to a more relaxed and informal style of living, in short "appreciation" is a dominant trend. To elaborate, in a world with so much choice we seek simplicity and a more essential response to life and home on the one hand, and a more creative and carefree approach to how we spend our time and money on the other. We now find a promise of sublime comfort and relaxation in things that we have taken for granted, that have been under our noses, close to every individual but seemingly commonplace - places, skills, relationships, emotions. We are more tuned in to the magic of rediscovered beauty and the continuity of concepts that have stood the test of time. We need to find a new balance in our everyday existence between the closeness, simplicity and security of home and innovative technological frontiers. It's time to be content with what we have, to treasure and nurture it, to hold it dear and treat it with pride and care - to find our way forward to a more relaxed reality.

Further, five related trends were observed which stem from this one main idea of appreciation which form specific trends in their own right, but include the essence of the observations above. Each trend was translated into a contemporary color palette. This group of experts sees a continuing move towards colors that are cleaner in character and much more optimistic and hopeful in the feeling they create. Shades for 2011 are sought that bring joy and charm to our lives and create an overriding mood of clarity and freshness in all palettes. Each individual color family is contained and self sufficient with little or no room for heaviness or somberness. Brighter mid-tones tend to re-dominate but when deep shades do exist they are eminently usable and work wonderfully with brighter and lighter colors. Zingier pastels are now very evident as are cleaner, more optimistic and playful brights. This new direction speaks of hope, charm and a clearer vision of the future.

 

[ Page 8 of 12 ]  previous page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 next page
Originally published in Architectural Record
Originally published in December 2013

Notice

Academies