Our Colormix^® Forecast for 2023 has arrived. Inspired by the intricate connections to our planet and all the people who dwell here, we’ve called this collection of 40 stunning shades Terra, and it contains the four central palettes of Biome, Lore, Nexus, and Origin.

But just how does a forecast come to be? We asked our forecasting team of color and design experts to walk us through the fascinating process that takes each year’s forecast from big ideas to bold reality.
 

Each year, the Sherwin-Williams Color Forecast Team comes together in an intensive workshop to decide the colors and stories that will be celebrated in the year ahead.

In the words of Sue Wadden, Director of Color Marketing: “Color forecasting has existed in some form since the early 1800s and has now expanded into a critical communication tool that color design professionals use to speak to the world around us.”

To prepare, each attendee conducts extensive research all year, from attending industry shows—like AIA, Neocon, and Highpoint—to compiling syndicated reports to delving deep with audits of social media and entertainment. “I always try to get a pulse on the commercial design and architecture community,” says Emily Kantz, Color Marketing Manager with a focus on commercial segments.

All kinds of topics are considered—from climate change to mental health—and emerging trend topics are then thoughtfully translated into defining colors and cohesive palettes.

So what happens at this workshop? By all accounts, the creative energy and excitement are palpable. “It is always a very exciting moment,” shares Patrícia Fecci, Marketing Manager, Tinted Products and Color Services, Brazil, The Americas Group. “This week is very special and long-awaited … a chance to meet many colleagues and share in the experiences we collect throughout the year.”

There’s some structure, with each team member presenting their own findings in turn.“But as the meeting goes along,” Fecci tells us, “I let myself be carried away by the shared inspirations, and the whole process flows naturally.”

Lauren West, Director of Global Color and Design for Industrial Wood Coatings, says she has a similar experience at the workshop. The validation when multiple divisions report similar findings makes it clear that “our process works, and we are all moving in the same powerful way to command color.”

Our Material and Finish Expert, Eric Crosby, enjoys the opportunity to “listen to colleagues from all over the Americas share their experiences and perspectives on the movement of color in their day-to-day practice.” And in Senior Color Designer Ashley Banbury’s view: “Coming together and crafting a color story that can be interpreted in so many applications is such a fun process.”

The four palettes of the 2023 forecast tell the story of Terra, our shared and lived experience. But on their own, each palette has a unique point of view.

“Biome and Nexus came together the quickest, as they each evoked a very strong narrative and collection of colors to support them,” says designer Anne Diedrich. Lauren West sees Biome as “a beautiful story of balance … nature-based, strong and soft at the same time, while timely and current.” A palette like this is easily translated to blend within a brand’s identity, and Urbane Bronze and Evergreen Fog, the Colors of the Year for 2021 and 2022, play well together in the world of Biome.

Nexus fell into place so easily “because it is a story that has the farthest-reaching impact on so many different industries,” according to Eric Crosby. “The palette is relatable to most market segments and regions because it contains a lot of nostalgic neutrals that have always been important in the self-care and well-being industries.”

Because of this, the Nexus palette became a fast favorite of many team members. “With all the warm neutrals and pinky shades, it’s just so cozy and beautiful!” says Emily Kantz. “With years of grays we are really in need of some strong desert shades.”

Lauren West agrees, and she’s excited to see the colors of this warm and inviting palette translated into proprietary finishes, fresh interpretations, and game-changing applications, such as wood flooring, furnishings, and more. “It sparks great conversation for all of our segments.”

Sue Kim, Director of Color Marketing at Valspar, is partial to the Lore palette: “I love the craft story, where imperfection is embraced and the remade aesthetic is elevated,” and where the earthy shades of coral and yellow represent the positive resurgence of the maker movement.

The work of color forecasting and trendsetting is never done. Our entire team is already hard at work gathering insights for future Colormix collections, looking forward to tracking the evolution of this year’s color trends as we progress through 2023 and beyond.

“I think my favorite takeaway from this year was the focus on humanity and the power of shared experience,” says Sue Wadden. “It’s such a unique time in our history, and it’s been a great pleasure telling that story through Terra.”

Top image color: Chartreuse SW 0073 (Historic Collection)