Pantone Color of the Year.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to take a color workshop presented by Leatrice Eiseman. Whenever I see her quoted I'm delighted and when I ran across this article in the Washington Post, I was amazed with how the Pantone Color Institute nailed it yet again. Some may consider them benevolent dictators to the design world or self-fulfilled prophecies, but I consider them interpreters, wizened sages who process the world at large.

Here's what she had to say:

"there's the element of encouragement with orange, it's building on the ideas of courage and action, that we want to move on to better things. I think it would be a disservice to go with a relaxed, soothing color now," Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, told the Associated Press. Now that seems spot on.

Trends vs. Fads

I do find trends fascinating. They go way beyond fads and fashion victimization. They are bellwethers to our culture and so many others. Properly interpreted, trends are where you find traction in a transient design field.

Designing fine jewelry, I am wary of fads. Fine jewelry is the anti-thesis of fads; good design is enduring. My work is not in fashion, so it will never be out of fashion. And no, I don't get tired of saying that!

Tangerine at Katura

Of course, we have Tangerine shagreen cuffs. So instead of wearing your heart on your sleeve, you can have your very own pop of optimism right there. (How'd you like that shameless commercial transition?)