PPG Industries’  industrial coatings business recently presented TRENDCAST Styling Directions 2014, a portable color tool kit developed for designers of consumer products, to more than 125 professional designers and students from the San Francisco area during two color shows.

TRENDCAST Styling Directions 2014 reflects future trends in colors, effects and tactile sensations for coated surfaces. It is based on a consensus of findings by 35 PPG global color experts from the Americas, Europe and Asia, and it is aimed at keeping designers of consumer products such as smartphones, tablets, furniture and fashion on the leading edge of consumer taste for the next two years.

PPG hosted two events between May 12 and 15. One was held at San Francisco’s Academy of Art University, and the other was held in Cupertino, California, home to many consumer electronics industry leaders and a key Silicon Valley design center.

Joe Kowalski, PPG’s global manager of color and surface design for consumer products, said the color shows “incorporated visual, sound, touch, taste and scent experiences to give attendees a full sensory experience.”

PPG sent each invitation wrapped around a chocolate bar with a flavor to fit the theme of the show. “Our goal was to make it an event rather than just a presentation of ideas,” he added.

An executive director at the Academy of Art University’s School of Industrial Design said that students had a positive experience and the event was well-received, adding that many of the students had never been exposed to such a professional presentation.

TRENDCAST Styling Directions 2014 incorporates a broad palette of colors and textures ranging from delicate pastels and soft neutrals to playful mixes of bold, bright tones. The kit is organized into four distinct themes — Hi-Breed, Mosaic, Theorem and New Spirit — and features Web-based palettes for quick color referencing and a sample request program.

Kowalski said the color shows were successful because they demonstrated PPG’s global color capability in the design-rich community of San Francisco. “We were able to attract many design professionals and customers who already work with PPG coatings, and to share our message with students who will be designing the consumer products of the future.”