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Talking colour

Posted: 8/19/2009 - 1 comment(s) [ Comment ] - 0 trackback(s) [ Trackback ]

I was one of the lucky winners of a presentation by Lee Eisemann on how colour can attract success to a product, environment or design.

My sincere thanks to Buildmind, the online business network that puts everyone in Southern Africa’s construction industry in one virtual room,for a really great prize and a very interesting few hours – definitely time well spent.

Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman has written seven books on color. She is the Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, the director of the Eiseman Center for Color Information and Training and a color/design consultant to many industries. Fortune Magazine has named her as one of the 10 top decision makers for her work in color and she is widely quoted in the media.

Brought to South Africa by Plascon for the launch of Plascon’s highly awaited Colour Forecast for 2010 at Decorex Joburg, Lee brought an international perspective to the whole issue of colour.

The first half of the workshop covered the psychology of colour. Colour evokes very emotional reactions and it is important that designers understand and are aware of these reactions.

A more detailed list of Lee’s meanings for colour here

A few interesting points though:

Up to 15 years ago, brown was often seen as dirty or referring to sand. People tended not to think of brown as a wood tone. However, coffee gained stature during the 90’s and brown became associated with terms such as rich and robust. Brown also now carries health connections – coffee and chocolate are seen as anti-oxidants. So brown has been a popular colour for interiors for the past 3 years and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

In line with the whole trend towards ecology awareness, environmentalism and the green movement, greens have become very popular. Closely connected to nature, green is seen as a neutral colour by the human eye. Greens carry connotations of new beginnings, replenishment, refreshment and restoration.

View the Eisemann Color Blog if you want to know more about colour

The second part of the workshop was on colour trends.

Lee feels that colour trends are now slowing down, that the current economic recession brings with it a move away from the throw-away society. Yet people are always fascinated by novelty and newness – how do you incorporate this fascination with a trend towards a slower, more ‘comforting’ lifestyle?

Well, there’s a lot more personalisation – you now get magnetic artworks to refurbish your fridge, decals to stretch over your car in order to give it a new look, accessories that add your own style. Decorex itself was probably a good example of this, with many more products than I have previously seen that allow the owner to add their own colours, photos or pictures, or make their own patterns.

Sustainability is key. Materials like bamboo and felt are very popular. Once again, this was evidenced by the amount of felt and bamboo products on show at Decorex.

Technology means that people can spend more time at home while still keeping in contact with others and the world around them

Hi-definition colour as led by the television industry means that people expect to see more brilliant colours.

Animated movies play a great role in defining colour expectations that spill over into products around us

LED lighting affects furniture and fittings. Phosphorescence is now very popular enabling products to appear as if they are lit from within.

Recycle, reuse, repurpose – very much an established trend now and reflected in products available utilizing reclaimed wood, old bottles etc

South African colours are currently popular due to the forthcoming World Cup.

Japanese Amine is affecting colour choices as well – colours and shades that we previously would never have combined are now available in various products.

New fabrications in technology are also leading to unusual and interesting products such as glass tiles, products uitilising metallics and gold, and the new material – gilver – a combination of 75% silver and 25% gold.

And for next year?

Blue-greens and teals for ambiance;

Blacks, greys and purples are hi-definition colours and will make an impact;

Japanese anime for a pastiche effect

Gatherings is a key word and evokes the African continent palette where design, texture and colour combined are all very important. This is where Plascon comes in with its 2010 Colour Forecast - Afri-Colour

And the colour of the moment? Mimosa is Pantone’s 2009 Colour of the Year. The bubbly nature of this bright yellow nudges us all towards a sunnier outlook, something we all need in this time of depressing economic realities.

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