Europe is
confirming
predictions
of a growing
preference for
stronger colors
coming through
the application
of new special
effects.
by Sean Milmo
European Correspondent
milmocw@rodmanmedia.com
Europe is confirming predictions of a growing preference for stronger colors in coatings
with a lot of the color coming through the application of new special effects.
The trend, which has been forecast by
color specialists to start to become apparent
around 2016 and then accelerate over the next
few years, has been particularly evident in the
choices of buyers of new cars.
The automobile sector usually reflects the
underlying color preferences of consumers
which are repeated across other sectors like interior decoration, household appliances, electronic devices and above all in fashion.
In fact the current fondness for more color
could be influenced by the colorful design of
portable devices in constant use such as smart-
phones and the images on their displays.
In a report on Automotive Colour Trends
in 2016-2017, BASF Coatings describes this
phenomenon as being the combination of two
different perspectives of the world based on
the virtual and the physical. “(They are) expe-
rienced when one looks out of a moving car,”
the report says. “While trees at the edge of
the road seem to rush by in blurry streaks, the
landscape further away in much easier to make
out and enjoy.”
The forecasters have been warning that the
swing to more powerful colors could falter in
the midst of an economic downturn or political
uncertainties. Then the move will be to more
muted colors.
Otherwise the momentum behind the desire for more color should gather pace through
2017 and even beyond.
The latest breakdown of preferences
Color Trends in Europe
