What's next in colour?
Introducing NCS Colour Trends
NCS Colour Trends is our yearly trend forecast that gives a unique insight into the international drivers for colour, offering relevant colour palettes and attributes to suit any market and industry. Learn more about the project, its development and the yearly trends below!
NCS Colours Beyond 2026+
Explore previous trend years
The importance of colour
Colour is the first feature we notice in an object or space. This first impression immediately leads us to conclude whether we like what we see or not. Colour is important, often more so than we realise. Research has shown that up to 90% of a purchase decision is based on what colour a product is. Therefore, it is essential for manufacturers and producers to know the right colour at the right time.
The difference between the right colour and the wrong colour can be subtle, which is why the exact colour description and analysis is important. If you master the ability to define which colour will be more likely to appeal to consumers, your product is more likely to succeed.
Developing Colour Trends
NCS System as a forecast foundation
With the NCS System, we can give any colour a visual description with an NCS code. The NCS System is based on the elementary colours, creating a descriptive model called the NCS Colour Space, which plays a crucial role in identifying exact colour positions or colour areas of a hue or nuance. The NCS Colour Circle describes the hues of colours, and the NCS Colour Triangle describes the nuances of colours.
To describe colour directions and map preferences, the NCS Colour Space is a necessary tool. By plotting colours into the NCS Colour Circle and the NCS Colour Triangle, we can analyse the colours of the past, the present and predict the colours of the future.
Colour trends are psychology; they are about understanding which colours make us feel happy, meaningful and functional. It is fundamental to understand what is going on in our society, and how these events
are affecting us. This means both which colours are popular and which moods are dominating amongst us.
the process
Developing NCS Colour Trends
Developing trend colours is a dynamic and creative process, based on data, analysis and staying ahead of societal shifts, cultural movements and events. At NCS Colour, we have worked with trend forecasting for over a decade. Together with a team of international Colour, Materials, Finish (CMF) and trend experts, we set out on a mission to deliver an annual trend forecast containing the most sought-after colours for the coming years, along with insights on materials and finishes.
Each trend expert participates with their own colour analysis in a workshop, covering their distinct field of expertise. The past few years the workshop has been held at Baolab in Milan, Italy. Together, the trend council analyses the forecasts, spending time to discuss and define the most important drivers. The accordingly selected colours are shared in an exclusive magazine as the NCS Colour Trends forecast, together with a fan deck of the colours. The fan deck is coated to give the best representation of the colour.
Get to know the trend council
The NCS Colour Trends forecast is researched and curated by a team of internationally renowned colour experts who contribute their insights about global socio-cultural trends and CMF. It represents a comprehensive, cross-functional and international colour analysis. The primary objective is to provide stakeholders and industry professionals guidance in the process of selecting colours. A special thanks to our trend panel for their valuable input in our trend forecasts.
Creative Director & Colour Advisor, NCS ColourKarl Johan Bertilsson
Karl Johan Bertilsson has worked with colour since 1997 in over 70 countries, assisting designers, architects, universities and industries to become successful with colour; covering everything from design to production, sales and marketing.
”Our colour preferences change over time. We have to understand how and in what direction our colour preferences change to make our designs successful. This is why colour trends are important. For 2025, like the world, our colour preferences will differ quite dramatically, it is a year of big contrasts.”
French Global Design AgencyNacarat Design
Nacarat Design is a strategic and valuable partner of more than 150 multinational companies, using colour to enhance the value of spaces, architecture, brands and products.
“Colour creates meaning and evokes emotion. At Nacarat, the French Global Design Agency, we use it to enhance the value of spaces, objects, brands and products. NCS Colour Trend Forecasting allows us to magnify the potential of colour creation.”
Nacarat Design is a strategic and valuable partner of more than 150 multinational companies, using colour to enhance the value of spaces, architecture, brands and products.
“Colour creates meaning and evokes emotion. At Nacarat, the French Global Design Agency, we use it to enhance the value of spaces, objects, brands and products. NCS Colour Trend Forecasting allows us to magnify the potential of colour creation.”
Baolab, Milan, ItalyEmma Clerici & Manuela Bonaiti
Founded by Emma Clerici and Manuela Bonaiti, Baolab offers strategic insights in colours, materials and finishes.
“We’re proud to work with other experts and visionaries to develop the NCS Colour Trends. Together, we delve into the world of colours to explore and define what they signify for the future. With the collective aim of creating a future fuelled by colour and innovation.”
Founded by Emma Clerici and Manuela Bonaiti, Baolab offers strategic insights in colours, materials and finishes.
“We’re proud to work with other experts and visionaries to develop the NCS Colour Trends. Together, we delve into the world of colours to explore and define what they signify for the future. With the collective aim of creating a future fuelled by colour and innovation.”
Founder of Colour of SayingLaura Perryman
Laura is a mother, trend forecaster and award-winning colour and materials designer within diverse industries.
“Until recently, our perception of ‘eco’ or ‘natural colour’ was restricted to a puritanical palette of browns, greens and creams that cost more, inspired less and added next to nothing in terms of function or performance. Yet in nature, where nothing is wasted, colour is infinite.”
Laura is a mother, trend forecaster and award-winning colour and materials designer within diverse industries.
“Until recently, our perception of ‘eco’ or ‘natural colour’ was restricted to a puritanical palette of browns, greens and creams that cost more, inspired less and added next to nothing in terms of function or performance. Yet in nature, where nothing is wasted, colour is infinite.”
President, Color Marketing Group (CMG) and founder of ColourFuelPeggy Van Allen
Peggy Van Allen is a designer and colour anthropologist. For over 25 years, her mission has been to help clients harness the power of colour.
“Colour is of course critical in the development of product lines for just about every industry but it is also extremely valuable as a tool in marketing. And you want to know that the colours that you are choosing are going to be future forward.”
Peggy Van Allen is a designer and colour anthropologist. For over 25 years, her mission has been to help clients harness the power of colour.
“Colour is of course critical in the development of product lines for just about every industry but it is also extremely valuable as a tool in marketing. And you want to know that the colours that you are choosing are going to be future forward.”
Chief Editor China Design Trends Report, Strategy Director YANG DESIGNSXiaojing Huang
YANG DESIGN stands out as a forward-thinking industrial design consultancy in China that has won nearly one hundred major design awards.
”In the 2024-2025 China Design Trends Report, we observe the trend that young people are willingly and passionately investing in hobbies for ideal self-image, which leads to a colour palette combining cheerful Dopamine colours and understated retro hues.”
YANG DESIGN stands out as a forward-thinking industrial design consultancy in China that has won nearly one hundred major design awards.
”In the 2024-2025 China Design Trends Report, we observe the trend that young people are willingly and passionately investing in hobbies for ideal self-image, which leads to a colour palette combining cheerful Dopamine colours and understated retro hues.”
Global Design Manager at BASF CoatingsAstrid Van Der Auwera
Astrid Van der Auwera has worked with trend and research for more than 20 years.
“Colours mirror and influence the way we perceive and interact with products. For the automotive industry, this means translating new ideas of mobility into colour that mirror the complexity and individuality of mobility in the future!”
Astrid Van der Auwera has worked with trend and research for more than 20 years.
“Colours mirror and influence the way we perceive and interact with products. For the automotive industry, this means translating new ideas of mobility into colour that mirror the complexity and individuality of mobility in the future!”
"Over the past 10+ years of trend forecasting, NCS Colour has fine-tuned a method to anticipate trend movements using the intelligence of the NCS System and through collaboration with renowned international colour experts. We are proud to present the 2025+ trend forecast with the goal to inspire customers and offer insights into trend movements, enabling well-informed colour decisions and the creation of captivating colour harmonies across various industries."
– Elin Askfelt, CEO, NCS Colour
Helpful Design Tools
NCS Atlas 2050
With the NCS Atlas, you can easily navigate between different colours. NCS Atlas provides an overview of how the colours are related to each other both according to the logic of the NCS System and the relationship between colour and light.
NCS Album 2050
Perfect when matching colours, creating mood boards and sharing colour references with customers and suppliers.
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NCS Atlas 2050
With the NCS Atlas, you can easily navigate between different colours. NCS Atlas provides an overview of how the colours are related to each other both according to the logic of the NCS System and the relationship between colour and light.
-
NCS Album 2050
Perfect when matching colours, creating mood boards and sharing colour references with customers and suppliers.
