How is the Color of the Year Determined?

Many have wondered how the Color of the Year is determined. This is where it gets complicated. People think the annual Colors of the Year (selected by the assorted paint companies) are decided by committees sitting in their ivory tower discussing what the consumer just must be attracted to the following year. That couldn’t be farther from what actually happens.

Color trends are created by global and local events, including politics, the environment, even housing affordability. Color and design professionals from many industries all over the world, observe what is happening in their region. They then select key stories to share, and discover what common themes are occurring within each region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific). These stories reveal specific needs that will arise.