Ever since the introduction of the first Dyson vacuum cleaner in 1993, the Dyson DC01, it has been clear. Dyson loves colors and is happy to use them in its products. Dyson now shares why it chooses specific colors and how this has been further developed in recent years.
Dyson colors complement form and function
Although the first vacuum cleaner saw the light of day in 1993, it was not until 2016 that a dedicated color technical team was introduced to Dyson. He then worked at Hullavington Technology Campus in the UK on specific color palettes that complemented the shape and functionality of the vacuum cleaners.
Today, the team works with the engineering teams to create color palettes that complement the product's form and function. The palettes are driven by three key principles: function, emotion and senses.
“A product is only really beautiful when it works. People don't buy design that just looks good. At least not twice”
James Dyson
Behind the colors appears to be a thought. They are often used to simplify the complexity of the vacuum cleaners. For example, bright red is used to emphasize interaction, such as the trigger button or attaching and detaching parts.
Dyson's use of color has evolved over the past 30 years
The use of colors at Dyson has evolved tremendously over the past thirty years. Where Dyson started with mostly yellow vacuum cleaners, we are now increasingly seeing colors such as purple, dark blue and red in its vacuum cleaners.
For example, if we look at the Dyson DC01, it was mostly yellow with gray accents.
“When we launched DC01, we chose a gray silver speckled color to emphasize the solid technical geometry, industrial ‘steel-like' functionality and strength of the product. The yellow color was chosen for its high visibility and associations with heavy industrial machinery“, said Dyson.
As the product range expanded, colors were used to differentiate. For example, Dyson experimented with transparent vacuum cleaners, with recycled material and metallic paint finishes.
Increasingly darker in color with iron-like accents
Dyson's use of color has changed a lot in recent years. If we look at a Dyson V11, there are mainly dark colors with iron-like accents. In particular, deep blue and purple colors are often present in Dyson vacuum cleaners today.
The deep blue color in combination with purple – complemented by an anodized metal finish – is used to emphasize the technology.
The metallic flake resin used in the housing of Dyson vacuum cleaners makes every Dyson different: “Most manufacturers would try to remove these imperfections, but because they are an inherent part of the development process, our machines celebrate them. This means that no Dyson machine looks the same“, said Dyson.
Exclusive Golden Dyson vacuum cleaners
What Dyson is not talking about is a color choice that we also have these days: golden Dyson vacuum cleaners and parts. When you buy a Dyson yourself via the Dyson webshop, you get the opportunity to buy a Dyson V15 in gold, for example.
Why Dyson offers this option is not entirely clear, but there is a good chance that Dyson guarantees exclusivity and makes it interesting for potential customers to buy the vacuum cleaners from Dyson itself instead of from resellers. Something the vacuum cleaner brand often mentions in its commercials: “Buy directly from the person who makes!” And well, with vacuum cleaners with a price of at least a few hundred euros, a golden color might not even be that bad.
Robbert Tigchelaar
Robbert Tigchelaar is the founder of Vacuumtester.com and is a true vacuum cleaner guru. With more than 10 years of experience in the world of electronic devices, he knows better than anyone what is important in a vacuum cleaner. When a new vacuum cleaner appears, he is eager to test it extensively.
