Daz Hoo wrote:Posted on the LEGO Ambassador's forum :Changes of color 131 and 148
We are constantly trying to make our processes and visual color expressions more efficient and effective, and in this work we have identified a need for improvement with our colors 131 Silver and 148 Dark Metal.
Both colors are only used on specific LEGO elements, and the colors have been updated several times through the years.
In this case we looked for an updated visual design expression and at the same time the possibility to reduce cost, as we never were 100% satisfied.
The improvement in the visual expression is only slightly changed, but we have decreased the cost in the color process.
We wish to transit from the old, to the new colors as smooth as possible – as the difference in visual expression is only slightly improved.
But as we never uses these colors in big surfaces, and only in details or effects, we think that the transit would course minimal fuzz.
New color – 111 goes out
In our development of new themes and products, we also find it very useful to implement new colors as well as elements. On the same time, we keep a tight governance over our LEGO color palette, and manage a specific total of old contra new colors in the palette. In this case we decided that the coming color (name and number not official yet), should replace the existing color 111.
This transit will not take place until in the 2011 products.
For those who do not know LEGO's color IDs by heart :
131 = Pearl Light Gray
148 = Pearl Dark Gray
111 = Trans Black (or smoke)
I don't know about you guys, but I'm very concerned about LEGO discontinuing the smoke color. For me, the only thing that would minimize this decision would be that LEGO decided to replace it with a real trans-black color.
What's all this about, Steve? Will there be some reasonably close approximation of trans-black/smoke offered as an alternative, or will future Star Wars sets be sporting the Mars Mission look?
