Colour of the Year announced

Brave Ground has been unveiled as AkzoNobel’s Colour of the Year for 2021. It’s a warm and grounding neutral shade that gives us the courage to embrace change.

As unprecedented events and experiences become commonplace, it’s no wonder that people are feeling more off-kilter with the modern world. According to our extensive global trend research, what people need most right now is to feel the ground beneath their feet. When we can take comfort in the stability of simple things, we’re emboldened to express ourselves, stand up for what we believe and make new connections from the past to the future.

“The annual trend research we do with leading design professionals has applications across our paints and coatings businesses,” says David Menko, AkzoNobel’s chief marketing officer. “Our design teams use these insights to develop on-trend, market-specific colours and finishes for our decorative paints, architecture, aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics and wood coatings customers.”

Neutral colours like Brave Ground can either stand strong on their own or help other colours to shine. Complementary colour palettes have been designed around the colour to make it easy to use and achieve the right look. Four palettes will help decorative paint consumers choose on-trend colours with confidence: the Expressive, Trust, Timeless and Earth palettes.

“When consumers set out to transform their living spaces, they find assurance in our colour expertise and guidance,” says Heleen van Gent, Creative Director of AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetic Center. “That’s why our global colour research is at the top of our agenda every year.”

In addition to Decorative Paints, other businesses that rely on colour, such as Automotive and Specialty Coatings, Powder Coatings and Wood Coatings, make use of similar palettes. Each business tailors their coating palettes to the colour, texture and surface needs of their customers. A wide variety of markets take advantage of the Colour of the Year, including consumers and specifiers, aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, furniture, domestic appliances, cabinetry, flooring and building product producers and the architecture industry.

Menko added: “Colour plays such an important role in the world – it helps us express ourselves. The Colour of the Year helps us share our passion for paint to help our customers and consumers differentiate themselves and their products.”