AkzoNobel's 2026 Color of the Year Reimagines Blues for Future Cars and Tech
AkzoNobel's 2026 Color of the Year Reimagines Blues for Future Cars and Tech
AkzoNobel's 2026 Color of the Year Reimagines Blues for Future Cars and Tech
AkzoNobel has unveiled its 2026 Color of the Year, naming the Rhythm of Blues collection as the defining palette for automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics. The trio of blues—Long Swing™, Mellow Flow™, and Free Groove™—were crafted using advanced coating technology to reflect shifting design trends.
The announcement comes as the automotive sector embraces electrification, digitalisation, and personalisation, pushing color to play a more emotional role in design.
The Rhythm of Blues collection was developed by AkzoNobel's ColorSurfaces team, which translates global trends into visionary palettes for industry professionals. Each shade carries a distinct character: Long Swing™ is a deep, dark blue symbolising strength and quiet confidence, while Free Groove™ offers a vibrant, expressive tone linked to creativity and individuality. The third hue, Mellow Flow™, is a light, refined blue evoking balance and modern elegance.
Advanced coating technology enabled custom effects for each shade, ensuring they meet the demands of contemporary design. The collection aligns with broader industry shifts, where color increasingly shapes emotional connections in vehicles and devices. AkzoNobel's Automotive Color Trend Collections continue to influence innovation, guiding manufacturers toward bolder, more personalised aesthetics.
The Rhythm of Blues story reflects the moods and movements defining next-generation design. From sleek electric vehicles to cutting-edge electronics, the palette aims to inspire professionals to rethink how color interacts with form and function.
The 2026 Rhythm of Blues collection will now guide designers across automotive, aerospace, and electronics sectors. AkzoNobel's ColorSurfaces initiative remains a key reference for global color trends, shaping how industries approach emotional and functional design.
The three blues—Long Swing™, Mellow Flow™, and Free Groove™—are set to appear in upcoming projects, reinforcing the role of color in modern innovation.