Dulux Trade
Colour Futures 2010
ICI Paints, in conjunction with the aesthetic centre of AkzoNobel, have once again brought together creative experts from around the world to produce a comprehensive, global trends package; proving that we know colour as well as paint formulation.
Global in scope, ColourFutures forecasts the direction of international style and design trends over the next eighteen months. They are presented as five themes, each with its own palette of contemporary colours accompanied by beautiful imagery. ColourFutures is about anticipating the market, but more than that - it is about inspiration.
Colour of the Year 2010
In keeping with our overall theme of 'Reclaim', we are looking towards the qualities of truth, integrity, openness and hope. The Colour of the Year is an airy and optimistic blue that symbolises infinite horizons, new beginnings, renewed energy and a positive dynamic.
This clear, transparent shade encapsulates a sense of purity and goodness - a hopeful and chemical free colour full of possibility. It puts over an image of vast skies, breezy ozone freshness and the energy and essentiality of water. Given these associations plus the fact that it is a receding colour it will always create a sense of space.
Blue, in colour psychology terms, is the colour associated with sky and sea. Airy light blues are recognised as being refreshing, soothing and liberating. They are good in helping to combat mental strain and stress, physical tiredness and feelings of exhaustion whilst at the same time being re-energising and encouraging fresh starts. They are also thought to enhance powers of communication which can help to promote feelings of confidence.
A balance of the spiritual and the intellectual is represented by the allusion to air, sky and water - the freedom of the spirit married to the rationality of the mind; the vision of the artist to the knowledge of the scientist. Both in interior and exterior settings this blue has an important role to play. It complements perfectly the contemporary materials and modern neutrality of glass, steel and concrete, but also works with stronger and more traditional interior shades such as crimson, burgundy, plum, teal, pewter and gold.
This colour speaks of hope and clarity - a pure, clean and unpolluted direction for the future of our planet; a chance to reclaim possibility with renewed vigour and energy - the clear new horizon of tomorrow.
Order a colour chip
70BG 70/113
You can order a free A8 colour chip of 70BG 70/113 - ideal for colour references and presentations for you and your clients.
The over-riding theme for next year is one of reclamation.
The desire to reclaim control in the current economic and environmental upheaval, to reclaim a sense of what is true and can be trusted, to reclaim a space for oneself in an ever changing world and taking the opportunity to re-establish new values going forward be they built on solid traditions or new horizons.
The five lifestyle themes each reflect a different aspect of, and approach to, reclamation. There are themes around creating reflective spaces, looking back to the past as a stable reference point and searching for authenticity, but also themes that reflect the transitional times we are in and themes that are about challenging accepted wisdom.
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Silent Space
Space is a place of limitless possibilities - a subtle void that suggests eternity, mystery and indefinability. This state of mental infinity has inspired artists, architects and poets alike throughout the ages both in terms of the physical reality of its vastness and in the sense of mystery and serenity it creates.
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Fluid Fantasy
The once well defined boundaries between art and science are disappearing. Experimental innovation is the buzzword for both as supersynthetic culture challenges all our sensibilities. Depletion of planetary resources encourages us to look at unnatural materials in new and innovative ways.
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Basic Beliefs
In a world where the difference between fake and real is becoming ever more blurred, there is a huge need to reclaim a notion of trust. The solid institutions and societies of the past are morphing into new ones that focus more on individuals, partnerships and social networks which appear and rearrange themselves according to need.
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Free Spirit
The free spirit symbolises individuality, standing alone against the crowd, daring to be different or even slightly rebellious. The true artist and those at the vanguard of fashion have always exhibited a quirky sense of personal expression and forward thinking.
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Sweet Memory
We are in the process of revisiting the Classics in order to reclaim our culture and history and better understand where we find ourselves today. We need to find a context for our lives and artistic creation that can address the flexibility of creativity.
Colour transitions
Each individual colour family is cohesive and self contained with little cross over of colours or colour ambiguity. Mid tones tend to predominate overall with some new cleaner off-whites - fewer heavy deep shades are evident.
Zingy pastels are a new area coming to the fore over many of the more saturated shades of recent years - this light touch gives a sense of hopefulness and modernism. Perking up cooler neutrals, naturals and flashes of clean pastel act like a dose of tonic.
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Reds - Energetic, Vibrant & Glowing
Active and volcanic reds are both glowing and molten - energising colours that display a slightly 'burnt' quality that lends a degree of softness and ensures usability.
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Oranges -Tanned, Tasty & Tactile
Warm tans and golds are inspired by grains and beeswax - colourful but soft, homely shades that put over a mood of comfort and wellbeing.
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Yellows - Honest, Homely & Refreshing
Homely honeys and mustards suggest warmth, comfort and reassurance - shades to surround yourself with when the going gets hard and a little tender loving care is required.
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Warm Neutrals - Earthy, Sandy & Discrete
A quartet of sandy, grain inspired colours with a strong yellow base - warming and reassuring shades that put over an image of warm and wholesome living.
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Greens - Active, Medicinal & Healthy
Hi-tech acidic shades are inspired by the laboratory and clinic - liquid colours that light up a space; colours that glow, radiate and pulsate.
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Blues - Icy, Fluid & Spacious
Airy and optimistic shades put over a sense of freedom and happiness - carefree colours to lift the spirit and light the darkness.
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Violets - Daring, Dramatic & Dusted
Dramatic and intense purples give a radical new direction for this palette - fearless, open-minded colours that herald a more positive and proactive future.
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Cool Neutrals - Calming, Considered & Smoky
Smoky green-based tones give a new and ultra sophisticated level of colour to this palette - shades that are deep, subtle and atmospheric.
