Following on from a look at a couple of  themes that influenced 1960s colour trends, this post moves on to the next decade illustrating the birth of environmental interest, and the smack in the face that was ‘punk’!

After the psychedelia of the 1960s, world interest focussed on the environment. Land artists Robert Smithson and James Turrell drew inspiration from ground and rock formations for magnificent installations. Softer colour palettes inspired by the earth and natural beauty reflected the global awakening to the planet’s fragility.

Consumers attracted to the ‘back to nature’ values inspired by the environmental movement, sought out earth tones in fashion and decor. Stronger earthy colours such as Harvest Gold, Avocado and Burnt Orange became key design colours for a brief period. However the intensity of the palette meant that this colour trend had burnt itself out by the end of the decade!

Then along comes the anti-establishment punk movement.  Harsh in look and sound, punk railed against hypocricy. As far removed from earthy, natural tones as possible; the in-your-face, shouty neon bright colours of punk rebelled against sentimental, conventional and traditional values.

Colour as a ‘voice’, expresses a mood of the time. Here we can see how softer, subtle and earthy colours would be reassuring in a time of environmental concern. And how the glaring, neon bright and day-glo colours of punk ‘shout’ to get their message heard.

Tags: 1970s, avocado, burnt orange, colour, colour education, colour palette, colour psychology, colour training, colour trends, day-glo, environment, harvest gold, land artists, neon, pantone, punk

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 19th, 2012 at 5:30 pm and is filed under Branding, colour - psychology, colour education, colour training, colour-psychology, Graphic design, Interior design, Trends. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.