How many of us remember learning the color wheel in art class? Well, it is still a valuable tool for graphic designers, interior designers, architects and other visual professionals. When sitting in font of a blank canvas (by this I mean my computer screen), I often pick a starting color based on client research. The next color I pick is going to be its complement. Why? Because it looks good!
Even if you aren't a visual artist, you probably go to the paint store and draw on the color wheel information you learned in art class so long ago. It is as valuable as the algebra you still use to calculate size variables.
Now here is an organization that I would love to join, but can't yet afford. The Color Marketing Group. CMG's "mission is to create color forecast information for professionals who design and market color." They state loudly that "color sells and the right colors sell better." At annual design workshops, members track trends and their influences on design and color. The site says these "influences run the gamut from social issues to politics, the environment, the economy and cultural diversity. It is an understanding of the influences that provides the most useful information, and it is the input of so many color designers, that gives each forecast its tremendous validity."So, what are the colors for next year? CMG has determined that next year's key color's are coming down to earth based on concern for the environment. Look for softer, more botanical greens on "everything form Cadillacs to Kleenex boxes", says Jaime Stevens, executive director of CMG. Also, blues; the color of sky, water and natural neutrals; medium to dark browns and beiges that reflect the colors of rock, stone and soil. It's accented with rich, ethnic hues; deep, rich reds and warm oranges.
Do I pay attention to what's hip in 2007? Yes, I do. I'm in the process of painting my bedroom dark coffee brown and complementing that with sky blue curtains. Not to mention, keeping it in the front of my mind when I stare at that blank screen.
PS: Just returned from the Adobe Conference on CS3 in Boston. Sebastian, one of the presenters, told us about a cool Adobe site for color, http://kuler.adobe.com. Create a new color theme using a color wheel or download them from the community. Add them to CS2 or 3's Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign. Try it out!
