Color designers predict consumers' rainbow for 2000

Home Channel News, Nov 9, 1998

The Color Marketing Group, an association of color designers, says that consumers' yearning for individualism, simplicity and spirituality will influence color trends in 2000.

The following are the association's picks for colors to appear in consumer products by 2000.

These forecast colors are included within CMG's 2000 Consumer Color Directions Palette, which was developed during CMG's April 1998 International Conference held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, In formulating the 2000 Consumer Palette, CMC members simultaneously draw on personal color experience and interpret trends seen in both consumer behavior, as well as economic and political climates.

Color Marketing Group (www.colormarketing.org), founded in 1962 and based in Alexandria, Va., is an international, not-for-profit association of 1,500 Color Designers.

Wild Berry -- A pure, nearly true, bright red.

Innocent Blush -- A sheer pink that envelops the viewer in softness and comfort. Feminine and nurturing, this color has slight peach undertones.

Red Rack -- An Australian-influenced metallic color that will generate a re-introduction of iron ore hues.

Biscotti -- A new neutral that is softer than the traditional camel.

Spaqua -- A green interpretation of water imagery. Consider this hue as the edge color of a thick sheet of plate glass.

Wasabi -- A nature-inspired hue from Asia, where foliage is more yellow than in North America and Europe. A sophisticated hue, this color is a sheer wash of celadon, faintly yellowed, with a whisper of gray.

A era Blue -- Timeless and spiritual, the color evokes memories of historical paint and wall covering colors. Envision a sky approaching dusk.

Atlantis Blue -- A universal blue for all cultures, this shade is intense and iridescent. The slight influence of green adds a unique spark that slightly stirs the psyche.

Royal Plum -- Spirituality and ceremonial ritual inspire this hue. A color icon of royalty y and wealth, this hue expands the purple palette with a color that is acceptable for all markets, and is especially suited for luxury products.

White Veil -- Translucency, layering and novel coating technologies will push white into new tinted directions, creating chameleon appearances.White Veil is spoken (if as nature's white, because its coolness and lack of purity are natural.

Aluminum Foil -- Pure metal continues to interest many designers as a stand alone product element, or juxtaposed against other materials. Aluminum Foil is the coldest, most urban interpretation of silver yet.

Colorado Mist -- Metallic or pearlized, this sophisticated neutral bridges beige and gray. It is described as a warm silver that is both Zen and urban.