Leading international color expert Helen van Gent gave lectures at the School of Design and Studio Milliami Space.
On Tuesday, March 13, Helen van Gent, Creative Director of the AkzoNobel International Center for Aesthetics, held two lectures in Moscow on the topic “Color of the Year 2018. Modern Trends in Color Design of Living and Working Spaces. The first of them took place at the Millami Space studio of the famous Russian designer Milla Rezanova, and the second was held in the format of an open master class at the HSE School of Design.
As part of the lectures, Helen van Gent spoke about the key trends in the world of color and design, and also shared practical advice on creating harmonious interiors and choosing color solutions for living and working spaces. In addition, Helen revealed the secret of one of the main events in the work of the AkzoNobel International Center for Aesthetics team - defining the Color of the Year and creating accompanying color collections. “We do not do research for the sake of research itself - we forecast trends in color use to understand which shade will be popular even before consumers generate demand for it,” said Helen van Gent. According to experts, in 2018 the most relevant will be Smoky Pink, or “Heart wood”, a complex, mature pink shade that retains the warmth of natural wood. This color gives a sense of serenity and helps create the most comfortable space. The choice of "Woody Allusion" as the main color trend in the interior was based on a deep analysis of the processes taking place in society, economy, color and design. Having studied the main trends of the outgoing year, the team of experts came to the conclusion that in the era of high technologies, robotization and the continuous flow of information, our dominant emotional state is uncertainty and anxiety. “The main feature of our time is unpredictability,” says Helen van Gent.
According to experts, "Wood Allusion" not only accurately reflects the mood of the current moment, but also helps to find harmony and restore strength. “In response to external factors, a person can react defensively, openly accept change, or look into the future with great enthusiasm. But no matter how different our reactions to what is happening in the world, there is something that unites us all. As life only gets more complicated, there comes a moment for each of us when we want to press pause. The house can become our refuge - so necessary in this unpredictable time,”said the expert. Announcing smoky pink as the main color of 2018, experts from the International Center for Aesthetics have developed four companion color collections, ColorFuturesTM, reflecting different approaches to the interior: "Hospitable Home" - the main collection, as well as "Open House", "Cozy Home" and "Happy Home" … Each palette is a unique color scheme, a kind of "alphabet" for creating a harmonious design for any space in accordance with the psychotypes and mood of its inhabitants.
“When creating collections that complement the Woody Allusion, we decided to divide our consumers into 3 groups: kind-hearted, open and easy-going. For each of these groups, we have developed a palette that suits their preferences,”said the creative director of the AkzoNobel International Center for Aesthetics. Collection "Hospitable House", embodied in the interior, gives calmness, surrounding you with soft gray and pink shades of wood. Welcome Home balances soft tones with deep and open: For a relaxing atmosphere, Woody Allusion can be combined with deep purples and light pinks. Palette "Cozy home" calls for solitude and renewal, helps to find balance. Its warm brown tones embody comfort, while its ceramic and hot pinks soothe the mind and gently influence the perception. Another palette - "Open house" - combines smoky pink with marine tones and cold shades of blue. An open house is a "family nest" where everything is conducive to emotional contact. Finally, the collection "Happy House" Is a starting point for any endeavors, a lively and energetic space for creative inspiration. At Happy House, smoky pinks are combined with yellowish greens and golds, while splashes of bright colors and an abundance of plants create a sense of joy and awaken the imagination. Helen van Gent became head of the AkzoNobel International Aesthetics Center in 2009. Her passion for color and extensive experience in the industry keeps Helen one of the world's largest experts on color trends. Helen graduated from the Royal Academy of Arts in the Netherlands, worked as a stylist and editor for major magazines (Libelle Magazine, VTWonen Magazine) for 20 years, and also edited more than 10 books on interior design and color. About company AkzoNobel is a leading global paints and coatings company, providing products that are essential to everyday life that make our lives more comfortable and colorful. We supply businesses and consumers all over the world with essential ingredients, barrier materials and paints. Drawing on best practices, we deliver innovative products and sustainable technologies designed to meet the growing needs of our rapidly changing planet and to make life easier. Headquartered in Amsterdam, AkzoNobel operates worldwide with a portfolio of well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International and Interpon. A consistently recognized leader in sustainable development, our company strives to energize cities and neighborhoods, create a safe and vibrant world that makes life better for what we do.
