The RAL COLOUR FEELING 2026+ is entitled KNOW + IMPROVE. The report on the trend colours for 2026 and beyond comprises 15 colour shades that will be highly relevant in many different application areas of design. In addition to the 15 colours, application examples were worked out that show how variously the colours can be combined with each other and what effect can be achieved in each case.
The RAL Trendbox 2026+ is also available this year to match the RAL COLOUR FEELING 2026+. This translates the trend colours into different materials and invites you to experiment with colour and material. The material collection for the last colour trend report – RAL Trendbox 2025+ – has won the highest honour, ‘Gold’, of the German Design Award 2024 in the category ‘Excellent Product Design’. The RAL Trendbox 2026+ follows on from the successful product design and is therefore a perfect addition to the boxes from previous years.
As in previous years, both, the RAL COLOUR FEELING 2026+ and the RAL Trendbox are the result of close cooperation with internationally renowned partners. Thus, the current edition of the RAL colour trend report also continues the cooperation with the Institute International Trendscouting at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Hildesheim. This unique combination of science-based analysis and application-oriented future forecasting makes the RAL COLOUR FEELING a very special support for designers from the most diverse disciplines.
The scientific approach to the development of the RAL trend report takes into account a wide variety of factors - including social and design developments - from the past 60 years to the present day. The identification of epochal colour and material cycles, regular trend scouting and the application of individually developed observation models of design research are essential elements of the continuous development of the RAL trend reports. Early technology recognition and its impact assessments as well as expert surveys round off the process.
This is how we ensure a scientifically based colour trend report and deliver products with high added value.