Thursday, December 20, 2012

Emerald: 2013 Pantone Color of the Year

Emerald: 2013 Pantone Color of the Year



As we begin the weeks of end-of-the-year countdowns and “Best of...” lists, Pantone is Tangerine Tango-ing out of 2012 and introducing us to our new favorite color: Emerald .
This emerald green color swatch released by Pantone is Pantone LLC's Color of the Year for 2013, beating out all the other shades of the rainbow. (AP) 

 
How did Pantone land on this hue to forever represent 2013? We’re sure to hear many theories in the next few months, which will probably range from: The color reminds us of simpler things such as grass and Mother Nature...Green is the color of growth and signifies America in 2013...The rich tone is all about luxury, just like jewels and money.... Whichever theory you prefer, Pantone is describing the choice as, “Lively. Radiant. Lush...A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony.”

That nice, but what does it mean for you? It’s time to visit Emerald City. Whether it’s your wardrobe or your living room, here are some tips for embracing emerald:

-Lively and radiant: Just like in nature, greens look good with bright colors. Pair it with bold yellows and oranges for an energizing jolt.

 
 

Fashion from the Spring 2013 collection of Nanette Lepore in New York. (Bebeto Matthews - AP)
-Lush: Emerald is a jewel tone. Take a hint from jewelry counters and mix it with rich purples, blues, reds, black and golds. 


A gown from the Zac Posen Spring 2013 collection during Fashion Week in New York. (John Minchillo - AP)

 
-Balance and harmony: Embrace the zen of emerald by pairing it with grays, whites and muted yellows or blues.

 
 

Skyla Freeman's 425 square foot studio apartment in Washington D. C. features the Pantone 2013 color of the year. The crisp white accents pop against the office walls. (Katherine Frey - THE WASHINGTON POST) 
 
And if you’re looking to find emerald for a bargain? Check out the after-Christmas sales, the red-and-green holiday is sure to leave lots of green up for grabs.
Reposted from the Washington Post, By Veronica Toney

Sunday, December 9, 2012

The VISUAL Power in Packaging

Strong images on books and packaging move a person to act - and when it comes to deciding on which product oftentimes the visual impacts your decision to actually buy it.

When is the last time you walked through a book store, grocery, drug or toy store to see what kind of visuals are on the products? Have you ever taken your digital camera into the stores to get pictures of products which could inspire you or products that you could see your own art work on?
Scott Padbury's portfolio - www.DirectoryofIllustration.com


Everyday consumers have ever-changing tastes making the average life span of a package about two and a half years. This leaves plenty of need for designers and art directors to hire an illustrator for package art.


Traci Daberko's portfolio - www.DirectoryofIllustration.com

Illustrations that offer innovation and/or cutting-edge technology are perfectly acceptable forms of visuals for packaging. 


Mike Dammer's portfolio - www.DirectoryofIllustration.com

Make sure your illustrations identify what's being sold inside the package especially if you're competing with four-color photography which shows a product exactly like it is. 
Matthew Holmes' portfolio - www.DirectoryofIllustration.com

Effective package illustration looks great on the shelf, differentiates your product from a hundred others and sends the right emotional message to the consumer. Don't forget, a lot of consumer spending is impulse buying so if you can make your illustrations memorable, the art buyer hiring you knows his product has a better chance of being purchased.
Sonya Shannon's portfolio - www.DirectoryofIllustration.com


Read more: 
40 Creative and Beautiful Package Designs 
Industrial Makeover: Fully Illustrated Package Design