What Influences Color? Pantone's 2014 Color of the Year Radiant Orchid Rises in Design Industry

For a color to come through the ranks of what seems like endless amounts of colors, the Pantone Color of the Year (http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?pg=21128&ca=10) must be prevalent and gaining in popularity across all creative sectors.  Another key consideration in choosing the color is the color’s inherent meaning and what emotion it provokes within the consumer.

There are many factors that influence color.  Everything from the economy to the political pulse locally as well as globally, art, emerging artists, travel destinations and socio-economic conditions will have a significant influence on the popular colors of the time. Coco Chanel said it best when she said, “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street; fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”  Yes, she is talking specifically about fashion, but the same can be said for color and how we use it. 

Radiant Orchid was ultimately chosen because it inspires exciting creativity, confidence and the uniqueness that we all search for.  Radiant Orchid lends an enriching pop of color to any space.  While the color in its brightest tones may not be appropriate for the healthcare market, a lighter less saturated version would be refreshing.  The multifunctional shade of Radiant Orchid, from its brightest tones to the less saturated end of the spectrum, lends itself to being used in many different applications including the healthcare and hospitality markets. Anzea (http://www.anzea.com/) has several fabrics that range from the exact hue of Radiant Orchid to the lighter shades of the color.  At first glance Radiant Orchid may seem challenging to incorporate, but when expertly executed any shade of Radiant Orchid can add depth and balance to any space.