Colour palettes reveal a complex set of trends for 2017

Clariant and PolyOne have revealed their annual colour inspiration guides for 2017, with the trends inspired by some rather complex themes.

Clariant, for example, says its palette for 2017 is “very different” to the one it issued last year, with the colours depicting trends like “data mining, growing social disconnection and the search for more meaningful lives”.

“We believe the mood is becoming a bit more fearful, more introspective and reflecting the disconnectedness that many people seem to be feeling today. There are some exceptions of course, but in general the colours are more muted, softer, darker and even ambiguous,” explained Judith van Vliet, ColorWorks Designer at ColorWorks Europe, Merate, Italy.

PolyOne has released an equally involved colour collection based on paradoxical traditions, travel and exploration and societal change.

“Buying behaviour is influenced significantly by colour, and creative decision-makers who choose inspirations derived from societal trends can better engage with today’s consumers,” said Fernando Sanchez, Director, Global Marketing, PolyOne Global Colour and Additives.

“Our collections draw from global megatrends and insights in colour research to develop palettes that capture the current zeitgeist for designers and developers.”

More information on the colours in the palettes can be found here for PolyOne and here for Clariant.