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Whether you need a new palette for your room, your wardrobe, or just some fresh inspiration, Color Collective is our favorite new must-see blog. The concept is brilliantly simple: a five-color palette pulled from an image, and the results are surprising and beautiful. We chatted with Lauren Willhite, the ultra-amazing genius behind the Color Collective, to get the skinny on the how, where, and why of her site—plus her all time favorite palettes.
Color Collective is such a specific idea and executed so beautifully, How did it get started?
A little over a year ago, when I started the Color Collective, I was designing patterns as a freelance graphic designer. I was constantly coming up with new color schemes and relied heavily on the Internet for inspiration. In my explorations through the blogosphere, I noticed a need for more color resources. I started the blog as a tool for myself and hoped other people would also find it helpful.
A little over a year ago, when I started the Color Collective, I was designing patterns as a freelance graphic designer. I was constantly coming up with new color schemes and relied heavily on the Internet for inspiration. In my explorations through the blogosphere, I noticed a need for more color resources. I started the blog as a tool for myself and hoped other people would also find it helpful.
Where does the inspiration for the palettes come from? What's your process?
I subscribe to over 500 blogs on Google Reader and am always, always on the prowl for fresh color palettes. I’m passionate about fashion, art, and design—so researching for images has become somewhat of an addiction! After I select a handful of images, I use Photoshop to pull five colors from each. Sometimes they work out, and sometimes they don’t; I pick my favorites and post them online.
I subscribe to over 500 blogs on Google Reader and am always, always on the prowl for fresh color palettes. I’m passionate about fashion, art, and design—so researching for images has become somewhat of an addiction! After I select a handful of images, I use Photoshop to pull five colors from each. Sometimes they work out, and sometimes they don’t; I pick my favorites and post them online.
What’s been the response to your site? What’s the future for Color Collective?
The response to my site has been absolutely incredible! If somebody told me a year ago that I would have a column on Design Sponge right now, I wouldn’t have believed it. I’m so fortunate to have my friends, family, and blogging buddies support me along the way! I’m not sure what the future of Color Collective will be, but I’m excited to watch it grow!
The response to my site has been absolutely incredible! If somebody told me a year ago that I would have a column on Design Sponge right now, I wouldn’t have believed it. I’m so fortunate to have my friends, family, and blogging buddies support me along the way! I’m not sure what the future of Color Collective will be, but I’m excited to watch it grow!
Here are Lauren’s six favorite palettes, and why she loves them!
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