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AkzoNobel’s Color of the Year for 2023 is Wild Wonder, a hue inspired by the warm tones of harvested crops. The upbeat glow connects us with nature, creating a sense of energy and positivity.
As people search for support, connection, inspiration and balance in the world today, they’re diving into the wonders of the natural world to find it. Extensive research conducted by a team of in-house paints and coatings color experts at AkzoNobel and international design professionals found hope at the heart of global social, design and consumer trends.
“Wild Wonder speaks to us in a language we instinctively understand,” says Heleen van Gent, creative director of AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetic Center. “Nature is what inspires us and makes us feel better in our lives and in our homes. That’s why, for the first time in 20 years, our entire color palette is inspired by the rhythms of nature.”
Four decorative paint color palettes have been designed around Wild Wonder: Lush Colors (the forest hues), Buzz Colors (meadow brights), Raw Colors (harvest shades) and Flow Colors (seashore tones). For consumers personalizing their homes and urban environments, the palettes make it easy to choose wall colors for a timeless look that’s also bang on trend.
“Our research insights are also invaluable for industrial customers looking for the perfect finish,” says Michael Friede, chief commercial officer for Performance Coatings. “We develop market-specific offerings based in color and materials research and market analysis. I’m especially excited to share this bold, nature-infused color story with our customers. It’s what we’re all about: People. Planet. Paint.”
Color of the Year is the spark of inspiration that ignites a long-term design partnership with industrial coatings customers. On-trend colors, textures and special effects have been designed for the aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, metal furniture, lighting, cabinetry, flooring, building products and architecture markets, as well as decorative paints. Using innovative digital tools such as the AkzoNobel Design app, coatings experts and customers work together to create the best finish for their products.
The year 2023 brings two major milestones to the Global Aesthetic Center. Its ColourFutures trend forecast will celebrate its 20th anniversary, while the team also reaches three decades of trend analysis, color research, color design and art direction at AkzoNobel.
See what other paint manufacturers have picked for their 2023 Color of the Year in our Color of the Year Roundup.
