New colours for a changed world

Developing new colours for a changed world

An interview with trend studio Francq Colors

With a track record of 150 years in colour technology and innovation, the Axalta ColourDesign team is developing an exciting new collection to be launched in autumn 2022. The project explores how a post-pandemic world will affect product design and architecture; translating this into a combination of colours, finishes and effects.

Supporting our journey is Antwerp-based trend studio Francq Colors . Founded by Hilde Francq to provide insights into the colours, forms and materials of the future, the studio focuses on products within interiors, architecture, fashion and lifestyle. It researches consumer behaviour and trends through the lens of colour, but also through materials, textures, patterns and shapes.

We sat down with Hilde Francq to understand more about the process of developing Axalta’s new colour collection.

Could you explain your approach to trend and colour forecasting?

Central to our work is a report which we publish twice a year, looking two years into the future; it’s our bible, and it contains over 100 pages of information on emerging trends. As part of the research, we talk to established design professionals and seek out conversations with emerging studios, which we believe will become the future authorities in their fields.

We forecast four conceptual themes based on our research into macro trends; from sociological to technological aspects, and even economic and political tendencies. We then relate these themes to colour palettes and combinations, as well as materials, textures and patterns.

Tell us about your collaboration with Axalta

We’ve been working with Axalta for a long time, and it’s a very considered process, as the palettes we are exploring together need to have a long-term focus. There is a slower pace to the life cycle of colour trends for architecture and interiors, whereas in fashion, trends are more changeable.

Another exciting aspect of our collaboration is that Axalta are creators of colour! In most of our work we suggest existing RAL or Pantone codes, but with Axalta, we have more freedom. We can select and combine palettes from their vast collection of existing coatings, and we can also ask them to colour match. That can involve finding a piece of clothing or a beautiful object, and creating a powder coating that matches its colour and texture. It gives us endless possibilities.

Do you believe that new colours can be invented ad infinitum?

Yes, I do. There will probably never be a point when every colour has been documented. There are so many variations, and you can play with so many hues; it’s exciting to think that there is an infinite number of colours to explore in our world.

Lastly, can you give us a sense of the new collection?

Axalta’s new collection will have four distinct themes, all reflecting the needs and preferences of a post-pandemic world. Our world has changed, the importance of nature has grown, and warm colours are increasingly favoured. People want tactility, warmth and organic elements: we’ve had enough of the flatness of video calls!

A sneak preview of the new collections‘ colours can already be exclusively explored in this magazine. Marble Green, Lunar Chrome and Grained Stone can be found in the architectural trend selection. Quartz Glint is part of the design trend selection.

Sample panels can be ordered via?www.axalta.com/vibes2022

www.francqcolors.be