Research – colour ways Colour is an important aspect of any product and especially a textile product. Each season there are colour trends. Getting the colours right means a retailer will sell their interior products at a profit instead of having to reduce the price at an end of season sale. Interior designers use trend and colour prediction agencies to get a clear idea of the colour ranges needed for each season. Cushions are products that are frequently made using more than one colour it is therefore useful to be aware that different colour combinations are easier to use whilst others need greater consideration. Contrasting colours (opposite each other on the colour wheel) these need to be selected with care. With one colour being used in greater proportion. Complementary colours (lay next to each other on the colour wheel) and are usually easier to combine

Colour ways Colour is a funny thing, and something you need to consider as a budding interior designer.Too much doesn’t look good unless that extreme look is what you want. What do you think about these designs do you like the colour combinations? Test as many colour combinations as you can. There are no real rules to colour combinations as trends and colour combinations change and appeal to different markets or functions. However what you have to consider is would your cushion appeal to your chosen specification. Or more importantly …does it look good?

Colours have a major effect on the success of a product. Designers often check out a range of colour ways before selecting the final ones. They also produce products in a range of colour ways so that people have a choice and to maximise their sales potential. Which is your favourite colour way and why? Try to explain why using terms discussed earlier i.e. contrasting colours or blending colour effect.

Mixing fabric colours and patterns: Mixing colours and patterns seems like an ideal way to add interest to a cushion design. However considerable care needs to be taken to achieve an attractive aesthetically pleasing product. You need to take note of the following: • size of print/pattern. • combining print/pattern colours with other colours. Look at the range of cushions below and which cushions are successful and why?