A recap of

This year, Playtopia took center stage across two major design events—Clerkenwell Design Week in London and Design Days in Chicago, delivering a vibrant reminder of how play and color can elevate not just design, but mental wellness.

Born from the idea that joyful exploration leads to better creative outcomes, Playtopia became more than just a theme. It was a fully immersive experience; one that invited designers, specifiers, and curious minds alike to pause, recharge, and engage with design in a more playful, mindful way.

Color That Moves You

Central to the Playtopia story is its palette: an expressive spectrum of colors that don’t just decorate, they energize. Each hue was carefully selected to embody the emotional power of color, driving not just aesthetics but interaction and mood.

From the spark of Bright Lime to the calming presence of Lemon Sage, the palette reflects the rhythm of a life lived in full color: bold, balanced, and alive with imagination.

The Playful Palette

Garnet  – A powerful, saturated red evoking passion and courage. Garnet fueled the momentum of our experiences, energizing booth spaces and dynamic activations.

Raspberry – A glowing pink full of imagination. Sophisticated yet playful, it sparked big ideas and joyful moments across our interactive zones.

Firethorn  – An orange-red burst of enthusiasm. Firethorn captured the spirit of bold expression and creative bravery.

Bright Lime  – Zesty and optimistic, this color radiated the youthful curiosity at the heart of our activations, from fiber trivia to color games.

Royal  – A deep, thoughtful blue that symbolized trust and exploration. It grounded our palette and reminded visitors to dive deeper into their creativity.

Lemon Sage  – A soft, stabilizing neutral. Lemon Sage added calm to the chromatic chaos, inviting moments of reflection amid the fun.

Highlights from Universal Fibers Playful Color Experience this year:

Clerkenwell Design Week · London, May 2025

Inside our Playtopia exhibit, color and interaction collided. Origami fortune-tellers revealed playful design prompts. Guests matched hues to fiber samples in our color trivia game, and everywhere, laughter and collaboration filled the space. This wasn’t just a display, it was a pause button for the brain. A reminder that play, even in professional spaces, is a powerful design tool.

Design Days · Chicago, June 2025

Outdoors in the Fulton Market district, Threadway made its debut; a vibrant, reimagined installation inspired by the spirit of Playtopia. Repurposed from our past Clerkenwell experiences, this colorful exhibit wove together past and present, featuring bold archways and a playful pathway that encouraged visitors to wander, wonder, and engage.

Threadway wasn’t just a name, it was a journey. A path traced through color, connection, and sustainable storytelling. The exhibit invited designers to interact with the same kaleidoscopic energy that defined Playtopia, while highlighting the creative possibilities of reuse and low-carbon materials.

Bold, bright, and refreshingly un-serious, Threadway reminded us that when design makes room for play, it makes space for meaningful connection.

The Lasting Impact: Design That Feels Good

This year’s Playtopia theme wasn’t just about bright colors and fun experiences—it was about wellness through design. In a demanding industry, we made space for joy. We created experiences that gave permission to pause. We showed that materials (like our low-carbon Thrive® matter fiber) can be both innovative and inviting.

Playtopia reminded us that the best ideas often arrive when we’re at ease, surrounded by color, and encouraged to play.

What’s Next? Keep the Color Alive

Though Playtopia has wrapped for now, its palette and spirit continue to inspire. These expressive hues are more than just a memory, but are a toolkit for what comes next. Whether you're designing for a vibrant commercial space, a calming hospitality setting, or something completely new, let the Playtopia palette guide your next bold move.

At Universal Fibers®, our color offerings reflect the full spectrum of design possibilities, each one crafted to spark creativity, support performance, and infuse projects with lasting impact. From energizing brights to grounding neutrals, there's a hue to match every vision.

Looking to build on the Playtopia palette or coordinate with your own creative direction?

Connect with our team to explore color pairings, trend insights, and sustainable fiber solutions tailored to your next design journey.