Dec 24th 03
Color Forecast: Colors Galore in 2004
A brand new year is only a week away, and with it three hundred and sixty-five days worth of evolution in design. Sure, when the clock strikes midnight to announce January 1, 2004, everyone isn’t just going to morph and start designing differently than they did the day before, but the embarkment into a new year definitely symbolizes a step forward into an untraveled world where new styles and trends are going to be born (or, in many cases, reborn).
This past year has whipped through such trends as the dark, and oftentimes depressing, gothic look, the sleek and vibrant “mod” look, and even some throwbacks to the earth-toned ’70s and the fluorescent ’80s. After an acid-trip like that, designers are very likely going to be searching for repose in more laid-back design trends. This leads me to my color forecast for 2004: calming neutrals, peaceful blues and greens, stable dark shades, and a few vibrant hues to add life.
The Neutrals
This palette is the perfect break from the hectic go-go-go attitude of 2003. Gazing at them makes you want to just sit down and breathe for a moment. Nearly every color here is simply a pale gray with a small touch of a soft hue. The result? A color scheme that you could do yoga to!
The Blues and Greens
Blues, greens, and aquas will be a big hit in 2004 because they’re tranquil, but still very fun and enlivening. This palette is very much a reminder of the sea, and who wouldn’t like to relax on the sandy seashore? These clear, airy hues are nicely complemented by exquisite reds, oranges, or other such colors that you can find in the “vibrance” palette below.
The Deep Shades
2003 was a shaky and often unsettling year, so in 2004 it’s time for some stability. Enter black, charcoal gray, and the other shades that make up this palette. They are just what the “neutral” tones need: some confidence. Just don’t overdo it. You want to strengthen your design, not make it gloomy.
The Vibrance
2004 might be a slower-paced year, but people are still looking to have some fun! Use these hues to add accent in just the right places. This palette will keep your designs from becoming overly melodrmatic.
40 Comments
Comments are now closed for this entry.
Scrivs on Dec 24th 03
I can not put into words how helpful this is. Thanks Adam!
Patrick on Dec 24th 03
iFroggy – We were green before green was cool!
:)
Stephan Segraves on Dec 24th 03
Adam,
I cannot even begin to say how much I admire your work. Your designs, your pallette’s, even your photography are all stunning and extremely professional. Thanks for the new stuff and keep up the good work! =)
Stephan Segraves
DrAvenarius on Dec 25th 03
Very helpful… I was thinking about change my site
Patrick on Dec 25th 03
Yeah, Adam is truly brilliant. Tell me something I didn’t already know though! :D
Jon Hicks on Dec 30th 03
This is just so helpful to colourblind designers like me! Thanks!
Joshua on Jan 1st 04
Leap Year…366 days of color. WOO HOO
Amit Karmakar on Jan 6th 04
Adam good one :) enjoyed reading it. Sure like the idea. And leap year too! :)
Eric on Jan 7th 04
This will be extremely useful in the coming year, thanks a bunch.
Lars on Jan 7th 04
Interesting and inspirational. Thanks!
Mark on Jan 8th 04
Very nice. Hope it’s accurate, because it’s a nice selection.
Gordon Mackay on Jan 8th 04
This is sure better than the weather forecast for Scotland :-)
Those colors are excellent and very tasteful. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Pascale Soleil on Jan 9th 04
Gosh, your neutrals are kind of iPod mini colors (if you make them metalic)…
Heh.
:)
Terrasaa on Jan 12th 04
Farmer’s Almanac forecast higher than normal temperatures and lower than normal precipitation for the lower 48 this winter ’03-’04.
These colors rain comfort on that dry environ.
My hatha yoga practice takes a pause and comes to rest here.
Woody on Jan 14th 04
Better than a box of crayons! Just the inspiration I needed.
Martin Lundberg on Jan 14th 04
Very nice colors, now It’s up to us to mix them in a good way. This will proberbly help alot of designers out there! Great job Adam!
Dominik on Jan 17th 04
Dude, you’re amazing.. :)
alex on Jan 19th 04
imho, these colors are too fancy ;)
limone on Jan 20th 04
great, I don’t have to do a redesign then. :-)
colorcell on Jan 21st 04
here is my little project about colors. create your own colorcell or vote for cells from other people…. and see what’s successful and what’s not.
http://www.colorcell.org/
dawnkey on Jan 21st 04
perfect.
perfect perfect perfect.
thanks for the new colors, yo!
Zervoid on Jan 21st 04
Thanks for the information. Your a blessing in no disguise whatsover.
—
I often have trouble dreaming up a new and varying color scheme for the sites I design. With your help each year, I can now breath a little easier. Both my clients and I will be able to decide on color schemes easier – I can simply point them here, and let THE CLIENT decide. Like candy to a baby.
—-
Now I really need to upgrade my blogger! Blue, blue and more blue is not so pretty anymore.
Carmen on Jan 22nd 04
Adam, Thank you thank you thank you.
This information is essential and so helpful.
Thanks Adam!
ps, do you have a newsletter?
cr
gary on Jan 28th 04
I thought hot pink was a 2003 color.
Gary on Jan 28th 04
What’s the best suggestion for interior paint?
Gary on Jan 28th 04
What color would you say is the definitive ’04 color?
victorkambelo on Jan 29th 04
i want to know about computer and how to send and recieve messages
gary on Jan 30th 04
Especially when the submit button doesn’t move
mugu on Feb 2nd 04
keep off!!!
Glen on Feb 2nd 04
Let’s get back to design conversation.
Sondra on Feb 3rd 04
Hi there…..think you are right on with the color palettes. Could you tell me the source for the color numbers you list for each color. I use pantone and can’t find your reference. Thanks. Sondra
achmadbiz on Feb 4th 04
this is cool color scheme picker> url=http://www.pixy.cz/apps/barvy/index-en.html
bentshape on Feb 4th 04
this is a cool color scheme. I mean that literally. where are the warm colors?!
thhhppptttt!!!! ack!
manu on Feb 10th 04
nice color combinations!
amy s. corder on Mar 24th 04
i found your site and think it is very nice. however, in addition to this year’s color palette, i need color palettes for the Arts & Crafts style as well. it would be helpful to find them in the same format as you have used. do you know where i can find this information?
Libby Taggart on Apr 7th 04
Oh beautiful. I LOVE color! Thanks for posting them! Well done! And your website looks fab!
(heart)
sam on Apr 7th 04
not sure if you’re still reading this, but i came across a spring/summer 2004 color forecast on another site and noticed similarities. looks like to you did a good job predicting!
http://www.jsbeads.com/fashion/fashion-trends/Pantone-Textile-Color-Spring-Summer-2004.asp
Willie Wheeler on Apr 20th 04
Nice job on the color palettes, and on the site in general. Thanks!
Willie Wheeler on Apr 20th 04
…though the e-mail addresses aren’t protected as claimed. :-(
Cove San on Apr 22nd 04
Fantastic tool. Impressive for all. Only wish most designers were this good!