07/13/2010

Colors whoosh by: BASF Coatings’ designers introduce the trends for Europe’s roads of tomorrow

• Electromobility trend puts rich solid colors into focus
• Growing range of black and silver colors
• Eco craze triggers natural tone trend

Münster. In search of automotive color trends of the future, BASF Coatings’ designers are receiving a whole range of signals this year, including ecology, a shift in thinking, responsibility, urbanity, sustainability and new technology. Eva Höfli, BASF Coatings color designer, said, “When we look at the broadcast frequency of current and future-related topics, we can see that things are being sent nonstop.” This is why the name of the 2010-2011 European trend collection is ”Rauschen” (German for “signal noise” or whoosh). While many phenomena, such as the eco craze, have made their mark on color trends for several years, ever smaller and more subtle tendencies are making their way in. For example, in the current BASF collection, these trends are being expressed via a larger palette of solid colors. 

“The latest car shows in particular have shown that there is no getting around the topic of electromobility,” said Höfli. These new vehicles utilize a changed language of form and material and thus also require a new color palette.” Expanding the palette to include solid colors is particularly well-suited in this case.

"Colors of the masses", such as black, silver and gray, have also been affected by the noise in the world of colors. The spectrum of tints, effects and nuances is growing from year to year. Fusions of cool, technical silver with warm pastel elements help reach novel color ranges. Höfli said, “Our 2010-2011 collection redefines what is known and still has a number of surprises in store.”

Defining current trend worlds and color worlds

For the most part, the BASF color designers identify four significant trends, from which they filter the respective color codes.

1. New intelligence: Defragmented Apparition

Ecology and technology fuse to form this trend world in which warm and cold colors dominate. Environmental awareness has gained in influence. It is important not only to utilize ecological resources, but also to establish the effects their use has from an economic and social point of view. The search for new materials has given rise to intersections of technology and design, from which a trend world with high standards for design and technology has been created. In this trend world, efficiency meets individuality and performance meets personality. Defragmentation brings out new surfaces that seem impenetrable and dense.

Color codes of the new intelligence

A selection of warm and rather light colors with fine to very fine effects combined with cool silver tones and blue hues make up the main color directions. In addition, the “new neutrals” have emerged here – cool, grayish beige and brown tones, along with the further development of white with a higher percentage of gray. Solid colors as well as exquisite effects are on equal footing in this world. Pastel colors, both with a high percentage of white as well as significantly chromatic, can be found along with finely tuned natural tones of brown and blue. These tones are the harbingers of an intelligently designed mobility of the future.

2. MOVE ON NOW: Clearly Repeated

Today, innovation is essential. When it comes to mobility, it is also imperative to focus on making intelligent use of resources and bridging distances efficiently. Small cars and electric cars will vitalize the cityscape. Thus, there is no room for special effects in this trend world. The colors have to work everywhere and at all times. From this, the new “bold solids” have developed, which will characterize the narrow roads of the future. Aside from the well-known, urban color context of grays and silvers, these colors represent the high functionality of a “here-and-now” mentality that has nothing to hide.

Color codes of the here-and-now

Everything is solid! The palette ranges from a strong gray-blue to powerful red tones and vibrant yellow and green. These primary colors are complemented by grayish beige and skin tones. Surfaces in dense urban structures are both high gloss and mat.

3. Sensible crossover colors: Discrete Dubbing

Contrasts in this trend world set the tone; they redefine spaces, change perspectives dramatically and play with surprising effects and distorted proportions. This is all about the carefully calculated magic of dark and metallic tones. The depth of the color, the radiance of effects and the viscosity of the liquid effect all make for particularly effective OEM paints.

Color codes of crossover colors

The boundaries of popular colors such as black, blue and silver are redefined through extreme effects such as clear color travel and colorful inclusions. In addition, superfine silvers with a mat clearcoat create nearly haptic impressions.

4. Supernormal: Harmonious Irregularities

Along with all the changes of the era of ecology, the adventure of the future, doubts, questions and an undefined fear of the unpredictability of everything new, humans need normality. We have to define this new normality: Balanced color depths and well-dosed effects ensure that this trend world is in a safe state.

Supernormal color codes

These color codes are brown and blue tones that are not bound to tradition and nevertheless tie in with the familiar. A collection of earthen surfaces with rich colordepths, but also grayish nuances with a highlight of chromatic travel form the harmonious foundation of balanced normality.

New form for perfect presentation

“Rauschen” is the first BASF collection to be presented on plastic forms created specifically for the company, known as “domes.” This form, which the designers developed after numerous talks with customers from the automotive industry, conveys a very realistic impression of corners, edges and curves of modern car bodies. The form is made from Ultramid TOP high-performance plastic, which is also a BASF product. “These modern special-effect paints only come to life if there is a certain interplay of light and shadows. We can now represent this effect much better on a small scale thanks to our new domes,” Höfli added, clearly satisfied.

Interview with Color Designer Eva Höfli