Citrus yellow picked as colour of the year 2011
4/01/2011

As many of us may still be left feeling blue with lingering uncertainty carried over from last year, we could use the light, airy colour of citrus yellow to turn our mood around.


Citrus yellow symbolises a freer spirit, a sense of fun and positive energy, all of which best fit the new year as people start to recover from their rough experiences of 2010, says Akzo Nobel Paints (Thailand).

AkzoNobel, the world's largest paints and coatings company, has picked citrus yellow as the colour of the year for 2011.

Chananun Luekijna, a colour marketing specialist at Akzo Nobel Paints (Thailand), says citrus yellow symbolises a freer spirit, a sense of fun and positive energy, all of which best fit the new year as people start to recover from their rough experiences of 2010.

"The colour mirrors the society's need to get back to appreciate and value what we have," Ms Chananun says.

"It says that you can love your life just as it is. And you don't have to look for happiness elsewhere, rather things that are surrounding you that you may not have noticed before. It's about enjoying the simple happiness in daily life."

Citrus yellow, with a subtle green giving a sense of nature, reminds one of sunshine in the morning. The colour also encapsulates a mood of hope and optimism and conveys a feeling of fizzy sherbet, new growth and relaxed fun.

Ms Chananun says colour selection is vital in all industries as well as for individuals as colours can affect our moods and represent our life.

"Colours are energy and people can perceive colours faster than they do with shapes and can most easily evoke our feelings," she says.

In colour psychology, yellow often gives a sense of refreshment and cheering, enhances relaxation and minimises stress and anxiety. It also combats fatigue and depression, according to the company's research.

Once a year, the Aesthetic Centre for the Netherlands-based AkzoNobel meets with an international group of creative experts from the fields of colour, design, architecture and fashion to discuss and decide the colours that will be the key for the following year. These experts represent different parts of the world including Southeast Asia, India, the US, Canada, South America, South Africa and Europe.

Meanwhile, the US-based Pantone Color Institute, the research arm of Pantone Inc, forecasts honeysuckle will best represent the coming colour trend of next year for fashion and home industries. The energetic red-pink colour palette is picked as a colour for all seasons, conveying a sense of courage, confidence and vitality.

Benjamin Moore & Co, a US manufacturer and retailer of coatings, has chosen vintage wine as the colour of the year 2011.

bangkokpost.com


me thinks not a whole lotta thought went into this one ..............

.