BASF Coatings' international design team released its global trend report, providing a forecast of the automotive colors of the future. The prognosis is based on in-depth research of social developments and fashion trends. The BASF color designers travel to key trade shows in the textile and furniture sectors to determine the future trends, incorporating socio-political, interior design, architecture, technology and pop culture into recommendations.
Global trends are expressed by different colors, depending on the region. People from various regions often have different color perceptions that are influenced by culture. There is no one single global megatrend.
So what colors will dominate our roads in the future? And on what social changes will they be based?
"Green Luxury" is Not an Oxymoron
The ecology movement is continuing throughout the globe. However, there is a shift from ecological activism to more realistic approaches. Ecological goals have a greater significance, since people are taking a harder look at the consequences of their behavior. As a result, the image of ecology is changing. Prosperity - even luxury - and ecology are no longer perceived as mutually exclusive concepts. Quite the opposite: ecological thinking and action is recognized and widely accepted.
This type of connection can also be observed among the colors in North America. The trend toward blues is continuing. Earth tones reflect the new ecological awareness. The new impression of "green luxury" appears in combination with a subtle or significantly reduced sparkle. This trend is also embodied by the colors mushroom, mint, or broken white.
Symbiosis Between Humans and Technology
Our world is marked by rapid technological progress. Future technologies change our everyday lives and become natural companions. Humans and technology are coming closer together.
For this reason, colors have a very artificial effect. On the other hand, they are also derived from humans, as exemplified by skin-toned silver. New color directions represent a fascinating uniqueness. We will be able to see colors like LED blue, brilliant turquoise, sparkling black, or bright red in the future. Matte finishes especially reinforce the technical impression.
Diversity of People and Colors
Migration, diversity, and cultural identity are shaping the image of society. Cultural diversity is also accompanied by a new type of color.
Starting with various browns with subtle effects that connect to home and one's own roots, the trend is also moving toward exotic and bold, brilliant colors such as yellow, violet and emerald.
Emphasizing Uniqueness
Another driving force among the trends is individualism. Many people want to move a bit closer to the essence of their personalities and are developing themselves in more individualistic ways - embedded in a collective context. The desire to distinguish oneself from the masses and express one's own individuality is gaining in importance.
This is expressed in the colors that stand for something new or unique - colors people talk about together and that didn't exist in this manner previously. The drive towards this innovation is based in two areas, the coatings technology as well as the colorants used to combine and bring out the special properties. Our design departments work closely with the technical groups to identify the products showing the greatest promise in color. We then partner to bring these colorants and technologies to market by identifying their feasibility ranges and bring about colors previously unattainable.