Design inspiration often appears in the most ordinary moments—especially when you pay attention to color, texture, and contrast. Here’s how a neutral scene I came across this week revealed a few useful insights about color palettes and visual design.
Yesterday’s snowfall and gray light had me thinking about neutrals. While stopped at a traffic light downtown, I snapped a quick photo of a quiet, almost colorless scene. Even in that moment, there was plenty to notice: warm and cool tones playing against each other, subtle textures in the surfaces, and a tiny sliver of red adding a bit of energy. Neutrals don’t have to be boring—the closer you look, the more interesting they get.
When I got back to my desk, I pulled a five-color palette directly from that photo—four gentle neutrals and that unexpected pop of red. It’s always interesting to see what appears when you let the image guide the palette. Even a boring snapshot can reveal a balanced set of hues with depth, contrast, and personality. For designers, moments like these are a reminder that inspiration doesn’t always come from big, colorful scenes.
And now that Pantone has announced their (very neutral!) 2026 Color of the Year, it feels like the perfect time to appreciate what a restrained palette can do. It’s always interesting to see how these annual choices shift from year to year—if you want to take a look back, you can revisit my 2025 Color of the Year review of Mocha Mousse here.
You can read Pantone’s official announcement here as well.
If this has you thinking about design in your own world—your brand, your materials, or anything you’re planning for the new year—feel free to reach out. Thoughtful color can make a surprisingly big difference in your overall visual design.
And if you’re considering updates to your brand for 2026, even small palette refinements can help you tell a clearer story.
I’m always glad to talk through ideas or help you explore how color can support your goals for the new year.