Colour Update

Follow the Colour

Welcome to the second release of the colours of Vision 2026, with 24 new shades that harmonise with the first 24 Vision colours. These colours are meant for long-term expressions and are rooted in the pillars of the Vision 2026 Horizon 2 research. Oltmans van Niekerk sees colour expressions as more than a visual experience; decisions can become a profound expression of identity. The use of colour is a conscious choice, a statement about who you are and where society is heading.

The 2026 shades are an ongoing dialogue between the past and the future, responding to the state of the world. They should be applied in a fluid and intuitive way, adapting to different contexts. The tones connect us meaningfully with the material world, whether it is the natural world, the fluidity of abstract art, the timelessness of cultural icons, or the influence of technology. 

The palette is an expression of interwoven topics that concern us all: meaningful and approachable technologies, future creativity, sustainable ecologies, rediscovering our imagination, new ways of connecting with nature and developing spiritual and human paths as a counter-narrative to technology-driven developments. The palette is not about radical change but building upon the foundations laid by previous explorations of nature’s symbiosis, cultural heritage, and the interplay between the tangible and the intangible. 

The palette is dynamic, not static, just as nature, the earth, culture, emotions, the human body and technology are in constant flux. By blending iconic colours with new interpretations, we are projecting cultural heritage into the future, creating a bridge between what has been and what is to come. The colours communicate the essence of the time we are in, our anxieties, our hopes, and our evolving sense of identity. They are not just an aesthetic choice; they are purposeful. Each hue serves as a signal, guiding our experiences and connecting our inner world to the reality that is being shaped.

Download the PDF of the report here

*The Colour box will be sent the 6th of September 2024

Banner, The Flow of Time by Nicola Anthony, Barry Yeow and Kim Whye Kee

In a world where change is the only constant, these colours provide a sense of continuity and permanence, anchoring us in the present while allowing us to imagine the future. Colour can connect with the intangible aspects of our experiences, becoming a powerful mirror for human emotions and connections. The palette reflects the spectrum of our inner lives and is a bridge to the emotive, unspoken dimensions of the human condition. Following the colour leads us beyond the rational and into the realm of the intuitive.

Ultimately, the colours of this era serve a greater function. They communicate the essence of the time we are in, our anxieties, our hopes, our evolving sense of identity. They are not merely decorative; they are purposeful. In a world where change is the only constant, these colours provide a sense of continuity and permanence, anchoring us in the present while allowing us to imagine the future. They remind us that colour is not just a reaction to the world; it is a powerful tool that shapes our experience of it.

In the colour box, you will find a booklet, 24 cotton strip OvN colours, and the colours printed on paper cards. During the research phase, the colours are hand-painted, selected in the OvN studio, and dyed in cotton by our partner to meet our exact standards. The cotton strips are the primary reference. We translate the colours into the nearest Pantone shade, but the OvN standard is the intended colour.

Enjoy!

“Colour is a power which directly influences the soul.”

Wassily Kandinsky