All Color Matters

Heading towards the cooler end of the color wheel Pantone has chosen Emerald as it’s pick for 2013. Not a color to recede or take a back seat in vibrancy, Pantone 17-5641 makes a bold statement like it’s predecessor Tango Tangerine . Where Tango Tangerine was meant to wake-up and energize, Emerald’s glow sends a more ethereal message of well-being and balance. Considered a highly fashionable color to use in the 18th century two forms of verdigris , was painted on the walls of two dining rooms in George Washington’s home—Mt. Vernon. Most often seen as a byproduct or “corrosion” seen on copper, verdigris was used in Pompeian frescos, during the Middle Ages in oil paintings, and extensively in the monastic environment as a pigment for illuminated manuscripts and books.  The “new room” (dining room) is the largest, most public, and most elaborately decor- ated room at Mount Vernon. Washington believed the color to be ...‘grateful to the eye’ and less likely than ...

Oscar de la Renta Whether graphic designers are willing to admit it or not, fashion does make it's way (sometimes unconsciously) into our design solutions. The cut of a fabric or the way it hangs off a model—important but not as impressionable as color hitting our eyes as it makes it's way down the runway. The choices of hues by fashion designers for an upcoming season can filter down and get picked up in an item such as label on a bar of soap, or a swinging hang tag attached to a garment. Color is always there to arrest us into refocusing on what may or may not be important within our visual sphere. A good designer admires, absorbs and bends it to their own purpose to get their work noticed. If Vogue’s September issue of 916 pages, didn't seem to satisfy the fashionista within—look no further. Fashion Week is in full swing to help fill the need of those wanting more of the like. Having never really been too caught-up in the overall high-heeled runway madness that gr...

The 4th edition of Color Workbook by Becky Koeing, maintains it’s place on the list of good general texts for color/2D design course use. Some small updates have been made ( Computer Color chapter is now Digital Color ) but none that have significantly changed the overall direction of the material given. I hoped that this new edition would offer a more expanded and accurate explanation on color management. This topic is just as important as color theory, materials, and interaction.  Color management can present many pitfalls if not understood and applied correctly. Given the gravity of this topic, the all too brief mention lacks detail and accuracy. For example, emphasis should be given to the importance of calibrating each device in the workflow to an established “standard”. That standard is then used as the benchmark by which all devices are to be matched. This text misleads the reader by not putting this important subject in the first paragraph of the Computer Color ch...

The vegan community can rejoice today. Starbucks will no longer use cochineal ( koch-i-neel ) extract in their Strawberries & Crème Frappuccino® and Strawberry Banana Smoothie. Other products such Raspberry Swirl Cake, Birthday Cake Pop, Mini Doughnut with pink icing, and Red Velvet Whoopie Pie will continue to be produced with the ingredient until June of this year. The tip-off that lead to an online post (hosted by the website thisdishisvegetarian.com ) was given last month by a barista working at a midwest Starbucks. A petition was posted on change.org and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) also joined the fray to show their support. All aforementioned parties later applauded the policy change today on their respective blogs. Fleeting as some stories are, time will be the final judge on whether this story has any lasting impression on consumers. Approved by the FDA , cochineal has a long and illustrious history . With a positive nod toward social respons...

Yet another company joins the fray in trying to exploit a holiday (of sorts). Nike tried to defy convention by introducing a sneaker without any noticeable shade of green to commemorate St. Patrick’s Day . The SB Dunk Low was nicknamed the ‘Black and Tan’ because of it’s noticeable beer-themed colors that are reminiscent of the popular drink combo of a pint of Guinness mixed with Harp pale ale. Thought as a complimentary nod of good cheer, Nike instead received protest from the Irish community here and abroad. The drink originally takes its name from the Black and Tans army unit employed by the Royal Irish Constabulary. Instead of fulfilling their mission to suppress revolution in Ireland, they became notoriously brutal by attacking the general Irish population during the 1920’s. It’s hard to believe that a 30,000 strong, publicly held company like Nike, could fail to catch this faux pas. What was their marketing department thinking?? Just a few clicks would have revealed th...

Branding executives will once again be monitoring the latest foray in the battle to make a color exclusive to a product. Christian Louboutin will argue their case this week via federal appellate to demonstrate that Yves Saint Laurent has been stepping onto their turf by manufacturing their own version of red-soled women’s shoes. Not easily discouraged, Louboutin’s original request (while denied last summer) has moved on to the appeals court. Their burden of proof lies in showing that their federally registered trademark; Red Sole Mark is protected and is recognized as being synonymous with their brand. This is not the first time that a color has been fought over. Several instances have made their way through the court system over the years with the most recent being this summer, over Best Buy’s blue polo shirts worn by their employees. Color conflicts are not mutually exclusive to the fashion or retail worlds. Universities have also had their turn at defining and defendin...

The annual hue-of-choice made its début this past week. World renowned color authority  Pantone  named  Tangerine Tango  2012's color of the year. Pantone believes that this vivacious orange can “...provide the energy boost we need to recharge and.” Perceived more often as an autumnal choice, orange was seen on the runways of Fashion Week this year amongst other robust colors. Dubbed by Women's Wear Daily  “..as the most popular color at spring Fashion Week”, tangerine like any other color has the potential to leave the catwalks and make its way into the likes of retail sectors which include areas of industrial design. The last time orange was used with abandon, was during the late 70’s. The avocado/harvest gold/brown combinations reigned supreme in kitchens across America. Often incorporated into Formica counter tops, vinyl flooring, and matching appliances, fake as well as real wood-grain themes was the style that permeated home furnishings. ...