How Global Events Shape the Colors We See Every Year

How Global Events Shape the Colours We See Every Year

When we think about colour trends, it’s easy to assume they emerge from design studios and trend forecasters in a vacuum. But in reality, the colours that rise to prominence each year are deeply influenced by the world around us. From economic uncertainty to global celebrations, political shifts to environmental concerns, the events that shape our collective experience also influence the palettes we gravitate towards.

Colour is emotional. It offers comfort, hope, distraction, or even bold resistance. And in times of uncertainty or change, our desire for certain colours becomes more than aesthetic — it’s psychological and cultural.

Let’s explore how global events shape the colours we see each year in fashion, interiors, branding and beyond.

1. Colour as a Mirror of Emotion

Colour forecasting isn’t just about predicting what “looks good” — it’s about understanding how people feel. When major global events take place, they impact mood and consumer behaviour. Designers, marketers and tastemakers respond by selecting colours that reflect (or counterbalance) that emotional landscape.

• After periods of crisis, we often see a move towards calming, grounding tones.
• In times of economic boom or national celebration, bold and uplifting shades tend to dominate.
• During social unrest or periods of protest, colour may become more dramatic, expressive or symbolic.

In short: colour trends are an emotional language we use to respond to the state of the world.

2. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Perhaps no recent event has had a greater effect on global colour psychology than the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift was visible across every design discipline.

Post-2020 colour trends reflected:

• A need for calm and reassurance – leading to an explosion of soft blues, warm neutrals and dusty greens.
• A craving for nature and the outdoors – with the popularity of biophilic design and earth-inspired tones like olive, terracotta and sand.
• A desire for joy and optimism – sparking the rise of bright, mood-lifting colours such as lemon yellow, coral and aqua.

Home interiors, in particular, embraced comforting palettes, as people sought to make their spaces feel safe, tranquil and nurturing.

3. Economic Uncertainty and Colour Trends

Periods of economic instability often lead to more conservative colour choices. Think of the muted greys, navies and beiges that dominated in the wake of the 2008 financial crash. These shades convey reliability, stability and timelessness — qualities people seek when facing uncertainty.

However, after prolonged austerity, there is often a burst of colour as a symbol of optimism and renewal. This pendulum effect can be seen in:

• The rich, indulgent tones of plum, emerald and gold that followed past recessions
• The recent resurgence of dopamine colours like bubblegum pink, turquoise and tangerine — a response to pandemic fatigue and rising living costs

In this sense, colour becomes a kind of visual rebellion against hardship.

4. Social Movements and Identity

Global movements such as Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ+ rights and climate activism have a strong visual component — and they influence how colour is used both symbolically and stylistically.

Examples include:

• The widespread use of bold primary colours and protest pinks during feminist and activist campaigns
• The popularity of earth tones and recycled textures in design, aligned with the sustainability movement
• The use of inclusive, gender-neutral palettes in branding and interiors as social awareness grows around identity and representation

These cultural shifts affect not only what colours are fashionable, but also how they are used and interpreted.

5. Technology and the Digital Age

As our lives become increasingly screen-based, colour palettes have evolved to suit the digital landscape. Global reliance on technology — especially during lockdowns — has influenced both the brightness and contrast of the colours we favour.

Tech-inspired colour trends include:

• Neon and cyber-bright shades that look dynamic on screens
• Soft, low-saturation hues that are easy on the eyes in digital environments
• Colour gradients and digital pastels seen in app design, packaging, and social media content

The popularity of colours like lavender, mint and pale coral can be traced, in part, to their soothing impact on screen-weary minds.

6. International Influence and Globalisation

Global events don’t just affect individual countries — they connect us. The rise of global platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and international trade shows means colour trends spread quickly across borders.

An international sporting event like the Olympics, for instance, can spark a trend in national colours. A world expo can influence architectural palettes. Even fashion weeks in Milan or Seoul might inspire living room colour choices on the other side of the world.

Colour is now global, and the events we share — whether celebratory or sombre — shape our collective aesthetic preferences.

7. The Role of Colour Forecasting Bodies

Organisations such as Pantone, WGSN and Dulux spend each year analysing cultural, political and environmental trends to determine their “colour of the year.” These selections are more than marketing tools — they are informed by a close reading of the world’s emotional state.

Recent examples include:

• Pantone’s 2021 choice, “Ultimate Grey and Illuminating” – a pairing of resilience and hope, chosen during the height of the pandemic.
• Dulux’s 2023 “Wild Wonder” – a soft yellow-beige inspired by harvest fields, reflecting a renewed focus on nature and sustainability.

These choices help guide consumers and industries alike, and often echo the broader cultural climate.

Final Thoughts

From war and peace to pandemics and protests, colour reflects the rhythms of human experience. It responds to our fears and hopes, our desire for safety or self-expression. While we might not consciously realise it, the colours that surround us each year are shaped by global narratives — woven into everything from the cushions on our sofas to the logos we see on our screens.

Understanding this relationship between world events and colour allows us to be more intentional in our own spaces. Whether we seek calm, energy, creativity or comfort, the right colours can help us process the world — one shade at a time.