We are still semi-fresh from an amazing ski trip to Taos and Angel Fire, New Mexico. We once dreaded the winter months but not anymore as we love to snow ski. I am often very sad when winter leaves as our seasonal hobby rests for a bit. To help keep inspired as a graphic designer, when we snow ski I clear my mind and take notice of my surroundings. I am always in awe of what beauty nature provides.
Technically, the entire world is only made up of 7 root colors. ROY G. BIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet). Some might even consider white (due to the reflection of most wavelengths of visible light) and black (due to the absence of or complete absorption of light) part of the color palette but these two values actually are not colors. So when snow skiing I am ever so amazed by the rich color palette that always catches my eyes. The ever changing blue hues of the sky often captivate my attention as I have even simply taken a photo looking straight up into the sky then returned to my design studio and borrowed that exact blue from nature. Riding up the chair lift when skiing allows me to look and ponder while soaking up all of the rich colors that surround me. The rich greens of the pine trees, the varying shades of browns on the trees’ bark, the pureness of the vivid white snow, and the ever changing blue hues that flood the sky are like eye-candy to a graphic designer. I have been guilty of using this exact color palette in my designs. And why wouldn’t I - as blue is still very highly favored by many. Take a look around.
When we snow ski - I also love to check out the folks around me. A ski crowd is flooded with brand identities, from our group’s Columbia Sportswear Gear, Spyder Active Sportswear, Volkl skis, Head skis, Scott… the varying company logos surround us. I truly enjoy seeing brand identities out in the environment for which they were intended. Plus adding skiers adds to the color palette in which nature created. So I invite you the next time you are surrounded by nature clear your mind and take notice of the awesome color palette which is derived from only 7 colors - it will amaze you too. Cheers!
