AkzoNobel Unveils Link between Color Use and Economic Trends     

People's choice and use of color is strongly influenced by the state of the economy, according to a detailed analysis into color trends conducted by AkzoNobel, the world's largest paint and coatings company.
   The research - which included studying the best-selling colors supplied by the company's global Decorative Paints business - shows that while regional preferences can have an impact on color usage, trends in interior design have been fluctuating in waves over the last few decades as the economy has ebbed and flowed.
   "Analyzing color trends has shown us that during an economic downturn, neutral colors such as black, white and grey are favored for interiors, while more intense colors are used when people feel more confident," explains Stephanie Kraneveld, Global Color Training Manager for AkzoNobel Decorative Paints, who unveiled the company's color trends for 2010.
   Five color themes have been devised by the company for next year - Silent Space, Fluid Fantasy, Basic Beliefs, Free Spirit and Sweet Memory.