Ian Callum’s Firm Names First Color of the Year, Forecasts 2025 Trends
- First “Colour of the Year” from British design and engineering studio CALLUM forecasts
colour trends for 2025 - Aqua Mist is a fresh pastel blend of green and blue, symbolising optimism, tranquillity
and rejuvenation - It’s the first in what will become an annual forecast of colour trends from CALLUM,
spanning the automotive, textiles, interiors and technology sectors
[source: CALLUM]
CALLUM, the British design and engineering studio, has introduced its Colour of the Year 2025, Aqua Mist. A fresh pastel blend of green and blue, it is vibrant and optimistic while promoting relaxation and tranquillity.
Aqua Mist represents renewal and innovation in a fast-changing world. The refreshing, soothing hue combines the calm of blue with the rejuvenation of green, perfect for creating peaceful, balanced spaces.
The CALLUM Colour of the Year 2025 is the first in what will become an annual forecast of colour trends from CALLUM’s growing team of colour, material and finishes experts. Inspired by recent projects, the team has redefined its approach to colour, centring on its impact and the emotional responses colour can evoke. By selecting a signature shade for the year ahead, the brand anticipates and influences design trends while demonstrating its creativity and innovation, reinforcing its position as a forward-thinking leader in design.
CALLUM’s colour, material and finishes designer, Charlotte Jones, said, “Aqua Mist offers a fresh, calming energy. Its soft and cool undertones are associated with tranquillity and openness, providing a balanced base that doesn’t overwhelm the senses. Its versatility means it is suited to a number of applications, materials and surface textures, while layering with CALLUM’s specially-selected balancing colours creates a fun, energetic vibe.
“Recent projects and collaborations have given us valuable insights into the needs, preferences and experiences of a variety of customers, particularly those who rely on well-considered inclusive design to enhance accessibility and comfort. We want the CALLUM Colour of the Year to spark conversations about how colour resonates with the emotional needs of customers and can help shape spaces and products that elicit deeper emotional responses.”
The CALLUM team has identified a concise complementary palette. Teaming Aqua Mist with balancing colours Neon Riot and Midnight Tide, it has created a playful, dynamic trio that offers an energetic yet approachable look, ideal for designs that need both vibrancy and sophistication – perfect for playful brands.
Neon Riot is an attention-grabbing hot pink. It brings energy, fun and vibrancy to the palette by adding a pop of brightness, evoking feelings of excitement and creativity. Neon Riot is bold and youthful, which gives any design a sense of dynamism and fun.
Midnight Tide is a rich, deep blue. It grounds the other two colours with its darker, more intense shade, making the overall palette feel balanced and mature.
Commenting on the CALLUM Colour of the Year, design director Ian Callum said, “Every design team in the world looks at future aesthetics to stay relevant and appeal to ever-evolving consumer tastes.Plus, it’s creative and a lot of fun. The CALLUM Colour of the Year 2025 is the first time we’ve made any of our forecasting work public.”
Aqua Mist
HEX #16E0B8
R:9
G:88
B:72
C:90%
M:0%
Y:18%
K:12%
Neon Riot
HEX #FF0073
R:225
G:0
B:115
C:0%
M:98%
Y:25%
K:0%
Midnight Tide
HEX #002646
R:0
G:38
B:70
C:100%
M:84%
Y:43%
K:46%
CALLUM Aqua Mist in automotive
The combination of Aqua Mist, Neon Riot and Midnight Tide in automotive projects can create a bold, futuristic and attention-grabbing aesthetic, especially for brands or models aimed at trend-conscious audiences.
CALLUM Aqua Mist in textiles
Aqua Mist can be featured in matte or satin finishes, and is especially on softer materials such as rubberised surfaces, textiles or smooth plastics. Its calm, cool vibe can be elevated using tactile textures like pebble-grain leather or mesh fabrics, providing a soft, inviting touch while maintaining a fresh and modern look.
CALLUM Aqua Mist in interior design
This soothing hue combines the calm of blue with the rejuvenation of green, promoting relaxation and mental clarity, making it perfect for peaceful, balanced spaces.
CALLUM Aqua Mist in technology
Aqua Mist represents innovation and forward-thinking in a rapidly-changing world, ideal for cutting-edge technology.
To mark its Colour of the Year, CALLUM will subtly incorporate Aqua Mist into its branding throughout 2025. CALLUM also looks forward to discussions with partners and brands about potential collaborations interpreting Aqua Mist in creative, impactful ways.
Download the full report, click here.
About CALLUM
CALLUM is a design and engineering business that creates and crafts its own bespoke and limited-edition products, and provides consultancy and services to partners and third parties. Combining progressive design with engineering that pushes boundaries, CALLUM’s products and services span automotive, lifestyle, and travel.
Nimble and agile, CALLUM operates from its 20,000ft2 facility in Warwick, UK, that houses the latest technology to deliver: design; 3D modelling, printing and scanning; colour, materials and finishes development; whole vehicle engineering; vehicle development and homologation testing; prototyping; machining, and trim services.
CALLUM takes a collaborative approach: bringing together a team of 20+ talented individuals with experience across art, audio, automotive, fashion and motorsport, as well as embracing opportunities to collaborate with other businesses. Striving to build a legacy through innovative design and engineering, CALLUM takes on projects that intrigue and excite, creating stories that stir the imagination.
Established in July 2019, CALLUM’s founding members include British designer Ian Callum CBE, admired for his prolific automotive work that includes the Aston Martin Vanquish. Through its NextGeneration initiative, CALLUM strives to support and nurture young minds and talent, fostering an environment that encourages peer-to-peer learning to ensure CALLUM remains relevant, progressive, and true to its roots.
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