Dee Schlotter, Senior Color Marketing Manager, PPG’s architectural coatings business05.04.18
Each year, PPG’s more than 20 global color stylists from industries including automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics and architectural gather to attend the PPG Global Color Forecast workshop. During the three-day meeting, PPG’s color experts discuss and review societal and regional trends, as well as overarching consumer insights to determine the following year’s color trends forecast, as well as the Color of the Year.
At this workshop, we analyzed the runway, the textile market, the tile, wood and metal markets as well as lifestyles, demographics, geographies and global and cross-cultural societal inspirations to determine what colors would resonate and represent the PPG global color forecast. Recognizing that we influence trends as much as trends influence us, and our forecasts represent and connect to current feelings and preferences.
As result of this process, one color from a palette of approximately 1,200 rises to the surfaces to be named the Color of the Year.
In 2018, Black Flame received the honor. Offering the silencing impact of black with the possibility and hopefulness of indigo present in the color’s undertone, this color was unanimously chosen by PPG’s more than 20 global color experts. Black’s dominance in everything from soft goods to fashion to building materials made this color the natural choice for 2018.
Black hues act as an anchor to lighter colors providing reassurance in an unpredictable world. The hue also provides a welcomed rest and respite from a world where consumers are constantly connected and force-fed information. It allows a comforting restfulness that we often need to help recharge. From faucets, to matte black refrigerators, to black granite countertops, Black Flame provides the perfect complement to current build materials and fixed home décor elements. PPG Paints Black Flame can be used on interior doors, accent walls, window frames, wide trim, ceilings, staircases and even wainscoting. It is a very versatile, modern yet classic color.
PPG also knows that it’s not simply about one color, but rather a combination of trending colors to create an overarching, and all-encompassing color story that resonates with our broad range of customers. The 2018 PPG Global Color Trends palettes encompass the below four themes that connect and resonate with current consumer mindsets. Black Flame resides in the Commoner color palette. The PPG Paints brand develops this palette each year to help inform design and color choices for professional customers, from professional painters to designers and architects.
The Retreater theme addresses consumers’ growing need to regularly withdraw from the pressures, chaos and overstimulation that so often come with daily life, and create hygge – a popular Danish concept that embodies all things comforting and cozy. It underscores living well, finding quiet time, making space for one’s self and creating opportunities for calm, balance and peace.
Light, airy tones in the palette, such as the PPG Paints brand’s Warmstone, a barely-there blush; Suntan, the perfect nude; Flagstone, a cool gray; and Cuppa Coffee, a warm, woodlike tone, provide subtle hints of color that can be considered neutrals. These hues offer a welcomed escape from a chaotic world.
The Dream Weaver color collection resonates with consumers who embody a perpetual ability to shine, live a free-spirited lifestyle and find creativity under any circumstance. They are the dreamers who hold the light when others prefer to go dark and retreat, which can be shown by their impossible-to-ignore color choices. Muted and ethereal brights round out the collection, with PPG Paints brand colors including Lovely Lilac, a dream-like periwinkle; Summer Sunset, a warm coral; Brandy Snaps, a dusty mauve; and Secret Safari, an earthy green.
The Commoner color palette connects to consumers who are attracted to popular minimalist Nordic-inspired designs, which emphasize going back to basics. Consumers relating most to this palette aspire to accumulate less yet experience more, serve as guardians of the environment, and live with a nomadic spirit. The palette offers unassuming, straightforward PPG Paints brand primary colors such as Mountain Lake, a classic navy; Red Gumball, a deep red; and Grassroots, an organic yellow-green.
The Brave color story reflects a new design mentality that mimics consumers’ growing yearning for protection, strength and stability to feel safe during uncertain times. The palette evokes feelings of elegance and grandeur, which appeal to consumers’ unwillingness to feel small or disregarded in light of current societal landscapes. The deep, rich colors that make up this substantial palette will be certain to turn heads in any space, including PPG Paints brand colors Charcoal Smoke, a rich forest green; Pinot Noir, a luxurious purple; and Black Elegance, a black with just a hint of gray.
Stay-tuned, as PPG will be unveiling the 2019 Color of the Year and Global Trends palette in the near future.
Dee Schlotter is senior color marketing manager, PPG’s architectural coatings business. Dee has been at PPG for 25 years and manages the development of color platforms, systems and tools for brands such as PPG PAINTS™ and GLIDDEN® Paints. She conducts dozens of national presentations to architects, designers, and consumers in the hotel, retail, new home construction and residential markets. She is a member of the PPG Global Color Styling Team that researches and forecasts colors for the architectural, automotive, aerospace, industrial and consumer products markets. Dee is a member of ASID, IIDA, and NKBA.
PPG’s architectural coatings business in the U.S. and Canada is an industry leader in residential and commercial coatings, delivering the latest technologies and operational advancements through its strong portfolio of brands. It manufactures and sells interior and exterior paints, stains, caulks, repair products, adhesives and sealants for homeowners and professionals. Its distribution network includes more than 15,000 touchpoints through company-owned stores, independent dealer locations and all major home improvement centers across the U.S. and Canada. Visit ppg.com/ac for more information.
At this workshop, we analyzed the runway, the textile market, the tile, wood and metal markets as well as lifestyles, demographics, geographies and global and cross-cultural societal inspirations to determine what colors would resonate and represent the PPG global color forecast. Recognizing that we influence trends as much as trends influence us, and our forecasts represent and connect to current feelings and preferences.
As result of this process, one color from a palette of approximately 1,200 rises to the surfaces to be named the Color of the Year.
In 2018, Black Flame received the honor. Offering the silencing impact of black with the possibility and hopefulness of indigo present in the color’s undertone, this color was unanimously chosen by PPG’s more than 20 global color experts. Black’s dominance in everything from soft goods to fashion to building materials made this color the natural choice for 2018.
Black hues act as an anchor to lighter colors providing reassurance in an unpredictable world. The hue also provides a welcomed rest and respite from a world where consumers are constantly connected and force-fed information. It allows a comforting restfulness that we often need to help recharge. From faucets, to matte black refrigerators, to black granite countertops, Black Flame provides the perfect complement to current build materials and fixed home décor elements. PPG Paints Black Flame can be used on interior doors, accent walls, window frames, wide trim, ceilings, staircases and even wainscoting. It is a very versatile, modern yet classic color.
PPG also knows that it’s not simply about one color, but rather a combination of trending colors to create an overarching, and all-encompassing color story that resonates with our broad range of customers. The 2018 PPG Global Color Trends palettes encompass the below four themes that connect and resonate with current consumer mindsets. Black Flame resides in the Commoner color palette. The PPG Paints brand develops this palette each year to help inform design and color choices for professional customers, from professional painters to designers and architects.
The Retreater theme addresses consumers’ growing need to regularly withdraw from the pressures, chaos and overstimulation that so often come with daily life, and create hygge – a popular Danish concept that embodies all things comforting and cozy. It underscores living well, finding quiet time, making space for one’s self and creating opportunities for calm, balance and peace.
Light, airy tones in the palette, such as the PPG Paints brand’s Warmstone, a barely-there blush; Suntan, the perfect nude; Flagstone, a cool gray; and Cuppa Coffee, a warm, woodlike tone, provide subtle hints of color that can be considered neutrals. These hues offer a welcomed escape from a chaotic world.
The Dream Weaver color collection resonates with consumers who embody a perpetual ability to shine, live a free-spirited lifestyle and find creativity under any circumstance. They are the dreamers who hold the light when others prefer to go dark and retreat, which can be shown by their impossible-to-ignore color choices. Muted and ethereal brights round out the collection, with PPG Paints brand colors including Lovely Lilac, a dream-like periwinkle; Summer Sunset, a warm coral; Brandy Snaps, a dusty mauve; and Secret Safari, an earthy green.
The Commoner color palette connects to consumers who are attracted to popular minimalist Nordic-inspired designs, which emphasize going back to basics. Consumers relating most to this palette aspire to accumulate less yet experience more, serve as guardians of the environment, and live with a nomadic spirit. The palette offers unassuming, straightforward PPG Paints brand primary colors such as Mountain Lake, a classic navy; Red Gumball, a deep red; and Grassroots, an organic yellow-green.
The Brave color story reflects a new design mentality that mimics consumers’ growing yearning for protection, strength and stability to feel safe during uncertain times. The palette evokes feelings of elegance and grandeur, which appeal to consumers’ unwillingness to feel small or disregarded in light of current societal landscapes. The deep, rich colors that make up this substantial palette will be certain to turn heads in any space, including PPG Paints brand colors Charcoal Smoke, a rich forest green; Pinot Noir, a luxurious purple; and Black Elegance, a black with just a hint of gray.
Stay-tuned, as PPG will be unveiling the 2019 Color of the Year and Global Trends palette in the near future.
Dee Schlotter is senior color marketing manager, PPG’s architectural coatings business. Dee has been at PPG for 25 years and manages the development of color platforms, systems and tools for brands such as PPG PAINTS™ and GLIDDEN® Paints. She conducts dozens of national presentations to architects, designers, and consumers in the hotel, retail, new home construction and residential markets. She is a member of the PPG Global Color Styling Team that researches and forecasts colors for the architectural, automotive, aerospace, industrial and consumer products markets. Dee is a member of ASID, IIDA, and NKBA.
PPG’s architectural coatings business in the U.S. and Canada is an industry leader in residential and commercial coatings, delivering the latest technologies and operational advancements through its strong portfolio of brands. It manufactures and sells interior and exterior paints, stains, caulks, repair products, adhesives and sealants for homeowners and professionals. Its distribution network includes more than 15,000 touchpoints through company-owned stores, independent dealer locations and all major home improvement centers across the U.S. and Canada. Visit ppg.com/ac for more information.
