Having had one of the big “oh” birthdays this year, I’ve reached an age at which I find myself reflecting on how the world has changed since I was a kid. One thing that has struck a chord with me is how much we follow and look to big companies for new ideas. Brands have become our heroes.

The Pantone Color Institute has released the top 10 colors chosen by New York fashion designers for their Spring 2010 Ready to Wear collections. Being a graphic designer, I was intrigued by the neutrality of the colors, even in the five “brights.” Why, for such a cheerful season of renewal, are consumers being given such neutral options, seeing that last spring brought vibrant pops of color?

(Top row, left to right: Pink Champagne, Tuscany, Fusion Coral, Turquoise, Violet;
Bottom row, left to right: Aurora. Eucalyptus, Dried Herb, Amparo Blue, Tomato Puree)

I recently had the chance to contribute to Tony Spaeth’s Identity Forum, the leading on-line community for identity and branding professionals.

I began thinking about whether there are identity solutions that are so well done, so brilliantly executed and so strategically precise that they should never be changed.