What's In a (Color) Name?

A recent Substack post by Lisa in Colour got me remembering my job at the "panty factory" (surface designer for an underwear and loungewear company). 

six packs of prints and solids were typical
this combo sold at Costco US and Canada in 2008

Presentations for buyers looked like this:

sometime in the approval process, the Colorado Clay turned into Green
and the packing order got flipped

As you can see, the prints and solids were given names, to aid communication

I worked in Illustrator, and had a massive swatch panel:

And almost every color had a name!

They needed to be "enticing" names, to not repel the buyers!

If it was a Pantone standard, I would use Pantone's name.

The others? I would scour color charts on Google Images. Or think of flowers. Or maritime things. Or...

If you need a color name for a project, feel free to use one of mine! 

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: A-Z Index

The 2025 A-Z Fluevog footwear collection

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: Z is for Fluevog Zandra Wiggle Zaza

The final day of "Blogging from A to Z" with my annual (going on eight years) challenge of drawing Fluevog Shoes and creating repeating patterns with them. Eventually, these designs wind up on Redbubble and Spoonflower.

Today's footwear is the Fluevog Wiggle Zaza, a Fluevog collaboration with Zandra Rhodes

In repeat

available on both Spoonflower and Redbubble

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: Y is for Fluevog Yavari

 Day 25 of "Blogging from A to Z" with my annual (going on eight years) challenge of drawing Fluevog Shoes and creating repeating patterns with them. Eventually, these designs wind up on Redbubble and Spoonflower.

Today's footwear is the Fluevog Yavari

In repeat

available on both Spoonflower and Redbubble

This is an upgrade to the one I drew back in 2017

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: X is for Fluevog X Anna Sui

 Day 24 of "Blogging from A to Z" with my annual (going on eight years) challenge of drawing Fluevog Shoes and creating repeating patterns with them. Eventually, these designs wind up on Redbubble and Spoonflower.

Today's footwear is the Fluevog Sugarcandy X Anna Sui

In repeat

available on both Spoonflower and Redbubble

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: W is for Fluevog Wanderer

 Day 23 of "Blogging from A to Z" with my annual (going on eight years) challenge of drawing Fluevog Shoes and creating repeating patterns with them. Eventually, these designs wind up on Redbubble and Spoonflower.

Today's footwear is the Fluevog Wanderer

In repeat

available on both Spoonflower and Redbubble

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: V is for Fluevog Visor

Day 22 of "Blogging from A to Z" with my annual (going on eight years) challenge of drawing Fluevog Shoes and creating repeating patterns with them. Eventually, these designs wind up on Redbubble and Spoonflower.

Today's footwear is the Fluevog Visor

In repeat

available on both Spoonflower and Redbubble

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: U is for Fluevog Urubamba

 Day 21 of "Blogging from A to Z" with my annual (going on eight years) challenge of drawing Fluevog Shoes and creating repeating patterns with them. Eventually, these designs wind up on Redbubble and Spoonflower.

Today's footwear is the Fluevog Urubamba

In repeat

available on both Spoonflower and Redbubble

This is an upgrade to the one I drew back in 2017

I thought the blue snake areas were a metallic, and the repeat became this!

party on! haha

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: T is for Fluevog Trivialis

 Day 19 of "Blogging from A to Z" with my annual (going on eight years) challenge of drawing Fluevog Shoes and creating repeating patterns with them. Eventually, these designs wind up on Redbubble and Spoonflower.

Today's footwear is the Fluevog Trivialis

In repeat

available on both Spoonflower and Redbubble

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: S is for Fluevog Sandra

 Day 19 of "Blogging from A to Z" with my annual (going on eight years) challenge of drawing Fluevog Shoes and creating repeating patterns with them. Eventually, these designs wind up on Redbubble and Spoonflower.

Today's footwear is the Fluevog Sandra

In repeat

available on both Spoonflower and Redbubble

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: R is for Fluevog Roamer

 Day x of "Blogging from A to Z" with my annual (going on eight years) challenge of drawing Fluevog Shoes and creating repeating patterns with them. Eventually, these designs wind up on Redbubble and Spoonflower.

Today's footwear is the Fluevog Roamer

In repeat

available on both Spoonflower and Redbubble

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: Q is for Fluevog Quasar

 Day 17 of "Blogging from A to Z" with my annual (going on eight years) challenge of drawing Fluevog Shoes and creating repeating patterns with them. Eventually, these designs wind up on Redbubble and Spoonflower.

Today's footwear is the Fluevog Quasar

In repeat (sort of)

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: P is for Fluevog Pyro

Day 16 of "Blogging from A to Z" with my annual (going on eight years) challenge of drawing Fluevog Shoes and creating repeating patterns with them. Eventually, these designs wind up on Redbubble and Spoonflower.

Today's footwear is the Fluevog Pyro

In repeat

available on both Spoonflower and Redbubble

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: O is for Fluevog Olivia

 Day 15 of "Blogging from A to Z" with my annual (going on eight years) challenge of drawing Fluevog Shoes and creating repeating patterns with them. Eventually, these designs wind up on Redbubble and Spoonflower.

Today's footwear is the Fluevog Olivia

In repeat

available on both Spoonflower and Redbubble

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: N is for Fluevog Nate

 Day 14 of "Blogging from A to Z" with my annual (going on eight years) challenge of drawing Fluevog Shoes and creating repeating patterns with them. Eventually, these designs wind up on Redbubble and Spoonflower.

Today's footwear is the Fluevog Nate

In repeat

available on both Spoonflower and Redbubble

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: M is for Fluevog Martha

Day 13 [half-way day!] of "Blogging from A to Z" with my annual (going on eight years) challenge of drawing Fluevog Shoes and creating repeating patterns with them. Eventually, these designs wind up on Redbubble and Spoonflower.

Today's footwear is the Fluevog Martha

In repeat

available on both Spoonflower and Redbubble

Here is the original sketch that I did on request

No way was I going to use any of those repeats for a background!

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: L is for Fluevog Linggo

 Day 12 of "Blogging from A to Z" with my annual (going on eight years) challenge of drawing Fluevog Shoes and creating repeating patterns with them. Eventually, these designs wind up on Redbubble and Spoonflower.

Today's footwear is the Fluevog Linggo

The repeat will come later.

Illustrator is misbehaving.

(Monday morning) In repeat

available on both Spoonflower and Redbubble

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)

 

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: K is for Fluevog Kiernan

 Day 11 of "Blogging from A to Z" with my annual (going on eight years) challenge of drawing Fluevog Shoes and creating repeating patterns with them. Eventually, these designs wind up on Redbubble and Spoonflower.

Today's footwear is the Fluevog Kiernan

In repeat

available on both Spoonflower and Redbubble

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: J is for Fluevog Jeudi

  Day 11 of "Blogging from A to Z" with my annual (going on eight years) challenge of drawing Fluevog Shoes and creating repeating patterns with them. Eventually, these designs wind up on Redbubble and Spoonflower.

Today's footwear is the Fluevog Jeudi

In repeat

available on both Spoonflower and Redbubble

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: I is for Fluevog Intergalactic

Day x of "Blogging from A to Z" with my annual (going on eight years) challenge of drawing Fluevog Shoes and creating repeating patterns with them. Eventually, these designs wind up on Redbubble and Spoonflower.

Today's footwear is the Fluevog Intergalactic

In repeat

available on both Spoonflower and Redbubble

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2025: H is for Fluevog Hess

 Day 8 of "Blogging from A to Z" with my annual (going on eight years) challenge of drawing Fluevog Shoes and creating repeating patterns with them. Eventually, these designs wind up on Redbubble and Spoonflower.

Today's footwear is the Fluevog Hess

In repeat

available on both Spoonflower and Redbubble

The background print on this one has a story… 

The print on the boot reminded me of a print I designed for the former day job. (I have a confession: when the company moved office, I took home most of my library of design printouts because they were going to trash them). So I tore through the closet where I keep the binders and couldn’t find the art! Argh! Then I remembered that I also copied all my design work onto an external hard drive when we were sent home for covid. Success! 

Created in 2007. 18 tears ago! What?????

Putting the binders back in the closet? Not as successful, yet. I keep tripping over them.

The A to Z Challenge is held every April. The challenge is to blog through the alphabet every Monday through Saturday. The “A” theme is blogged on April 1st, “B” April 2nd, etc.
More about the challenge can be found on the official Blogging from A to Z Challenge Blog.
Here's the link to the Master List, with all the official participants (link)