The following article is contributed by Jackie Jordan, Color Expert, Director of Color Marketing, The Sherwin-Williams Company. Ms. Jordan is one of the keynote presenters at the 2012 Color Management Conference, December 1–4, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her valuable session, Opposites Attract: The 2013 Sherwin-Williams Colormix™ Forecast, will explore today’s color mood and reveal the dueling influences that are shaping four divergent color directions.

Colormix 2013 is the exploration of extremes and opposites that reflect our diverse mindsets, lifestyles, and design philosophies. We are intrigued by the push and pull of luxury vs. austerity, light vs. dark, textured vs. smooth, fantasy vs. reality, synthetic vs. natural, and so on. We all have our own identities, but we are also influenced and shaped by the divergent energy of the world around us. With influences coming at us at warp speed, how do we find our own equilibrium, and, most importantly, how do we filter the overwhelming number of choices in a world where we have access to everything with the touch of a button or swipe of a finger?

As forecasters it’s our mission to process and filter out the noise and focus on the relevant and meaningful so we can share a synthesized view that defines key drivers, inspirations, influences, and influencers that shape and inspire current and future color directions. We look everywhere and at everything to guide and inform us so that we can present a comprehensive account of the why’s, the who’s, and the what’s behind the trends and forecast for the future.

Our exploration this year takes its cues from key indicators in fashion, cinema, pop culture, art, product design, science, and nature. Elements of each serve to craft the story and vision of future color and design direction that will inspire us to enhance our environments and provoke a new—or alter an existing—point of view.

I look forward to sharing this amazing journey with all of you and perhaps initiating a fresh way to experience color.

Please click on the PDF to view conference brochure.

Visit www.printing.org/color for more information on Opposites Attract: The 2013 Sherwin-Williams Colormix™ Forecast. Register today to hear from more keynote speakers from Hallmark Cards, Inc. and Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee Inc., as well as innovative sessions that will show you how to gain control of color. Early Bird registration ends November 3, 2012.