First Off. What Are Pantone Colours?
It is a universal vocabulary of colour that facilitates colour specific choices through every stage of the workflow for businesses and individuals. Let’s see if your favourite colour made it.
Pantone has selected an unconventional shade for an unconventional time that highlights a new vision.
2024 - Pantone 13-1023 Peach Fuzz
With the tagline, “Embrace the Warmth,” Peach Fuzz is the ideal blend where orange kisses pink, a warm-toned colour that conveys a sense of cosiness, togetherness and serenity. This year marks the 25th year that Pantone has revealed its colour of the year that impacts trends in everything from paint colours to fashion, and home design to makeup.
The inspiration for the light and airy hue was in direct contrast with the heaviness of the world around us full of uncertainty and turmoil - a respite in a colour that is both nurturing and warm. Martha Stewart.com describes it as “a gentle peach that is softly nestled between pink and orange.” Some speculate that this selection grew out of the popularity not for the official 2023 Pantone Color of the Year, Viva Magenta but rather PMS 2019C, which is the Barbie Pink colour.
“In seeking a hue that echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection, we chose a colour radiant with warmth and modern elegance. A shade that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace, and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless,” said Executive Director of Pantone Color Institute, Leatrice Eiseman.
For visual communications and signage, the possibilities are endless. “For business environments which are particularly focused on creating the sense of comfort, connection, peace and nurturing, this is a trendy colour that can be explored with your graphic and design team,” says Chris Brooks, VP of Creative Services at FASTSIGNS. “Colour trends often reflect the cultural, social, and psychological mood. By staying up-to-date with these trends, a business can visually resonate with their audience and align with evolving tastes and preferences.”
2023 - Pantone 18-1750 Viva Magenta
Pantone has selected an unconventional shade for an unconventional time that highlights a new vision.
“In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real. PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known. Rooted in the primordial, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta reconnects us to original matter. Invoking the forces of nature, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta galvanises our spirit, helping us to build our inner strength.” - Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of Pantone Colour Institute.
Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, playfully disruptive and fun, a stand-out statement. It is a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative. Vibrating with vim and vigour, a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family demonstrates a new signal of strength.
This transformative red tone is capable of driving design to create a more positive future and brings with it a new vision of design, innovation and self-expression. Through the Magentaverse, they are constructing what the future could and will be like, and where exploration abounds.
2022 - Pantone 17-3938 Very Peri
Associated with open spaces, including the sea and the sky, the colour blue represents freedom, imagination and sensitivity among other things. It also evokes feelings of trust and stability. The Very Peri colour is blue married with undertones of red and violet, colours that often represent passion and love. It is described as a colour “whose courageous presence encourages personal inventiveness and creativity,” and that will help us “to embrace this altered landscape of possibilities, opening us up to a new vision as we rewrite our lives.”
The 2021 Pantone Colour of the Year represents one of the most anticipated new year’s in decades. At the end of 2020, we are still facing the struggles and challenges that come with a global pandemic. It was a whirlwind year that forced us all to change our way of living, almost overnight. Many feel optimistic for what is to come, while remaining cautious.
2021 - Pantone 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + Pantone 13-0647 Illuminating
Touching on the duality of our world as it pushes forward during a devastating pandemic, these two colours are said to highlight how different elements can come together to support one another. Gray can be bleak, but it can also be strong and works as a wide-reaching foundational colour. Stark next to a bright yellow, it highlights the strength and positivity we brace ourselves with as we enter 2021.
“The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow illuminating expresses a message of positivity and fortitude. Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a colour combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted; this is essential to the human spirit.
2020 - Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue
“We are living in a time that requires trust and faith. It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed by PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on,” said Executive Director of the Pantone Institute, Leatrice Eiseman. “Imbued with a deep resonance, Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking; challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective and open the flow of communication.”
As we close the door on the 2010s, let’s take a look back over the past 10 years as defined by their Pantone colours…
2019 – Pantone 16-1546 Living Coral
Named vibrant, yet mellow, Pantone's 2019 colour of the year is known for its striking and bold presence throughout the world's natural surroundings as well as our Instagram feeds. Living Coral emanates a sense of lightheartedness and optimism which is something everyone is looking forward to in the new year.
“Colour is an equalizing lens through which we experience our natural and digital realities and this is particularly true for Living Coral,” said Eiseman."With consumers craving human interaction and social connection, the humanising and heartening qualities displayed by this colour hit a responsive chord."
2018 – Pantone 18-3838 Ultra Violet
In 2018 Pantone chose a colour that was heavily based on our love of exploration that also pays homage to lost legends. Ultra Violet is a dramatic and mysterious purple shade meant to evoke the vast night sky. Inspired by the new space race, this colour also looks back on the people who made purple what it is – icons like Prince, David Bowie, and Jimi Hendrix.
“We are living in a time that requires inventiveness and imagination” commented Eiseman. “It is this kind of creative inspiration that is indigenous to PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet, a blue-based purple that takes our awareness and potential to a higher level. From exploring new technologies and the greater galaxy, to artistic expression and spiritual reflection intuitive Ultra Violet lights the way to what is yet to come.”
2017 – Pantone 15-0343 Greenery
2017 brought us a bright inspiring yellow-green as the colour of the year. A colour meant to remind us all of a fresh spring day, where you wake up to the birds chirping and step outside to breathe in the fresh clean air. This colour was inspired by the return to nature. Pantone stated “The more submerged people are in modern life, the greater their innate craving to immerse themselves in the physical beauty and inherent unity of the natural world. This shift is reflected by the proliferation of all things expressive of Greenery in daily lives through urban planning, architecture, lifestyle and design choices globally.”
Eiseman explained, “Greenery bursts forth in 2017 to provide us with the reassurance we yearn for amid a tumultuous social and political environment. Satisfying our growing desire to rejuvenate and revitalize, Greenery symbolizes the reconnection we seek with nature, one another and a larger purpose.”
2016 – Pantone 13-1520 + Pantone 15-3919 Rose Quartz and Serenity
For the first time in their history, Pantone decided to choose two colours for the 2016 Colour of the Year. Based on what they saw culturally and socially within the changing gender movement, Pantone chose two colours that can be blended together and change. They sought to challenge the traditional views of colour association.
On the two-colour choice, Eiseman said, “Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.”
2015 – Pantone 18-1438 Marsala
Inspired by the strong fortified wine bearing the same namesake, Marsala was the colour chosen for 2015. A deep earthy reddish-brown made for an amazing accent colour for the home, clothing and accessories, Pantone described Marsalas as a colour that enriches our minds, bodies and souls. “Marsala is a subtly seductive shade, one that draws us into its embracing warmth,” said Eiseman. “It’s a colour that is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors.”
2014 – Pantone 18-3224 Radiant Orchid
The Pantone Colour of the Year for 2014, Radiant Orchid, is a bright combination of fuchsia, purple and pink. Encouraging originality and creativity, it made sense for a year that saw amazing technology breakthroughs and the continued rise of small business success in America. Eiseman explained the choice for the Pantone Colour of 2014, “Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”
2013 – Pantone 17-5641 Emerald Green
Vivid and verdant, Emerald reflected the renewal and growth the nation was relieved to experience in 2013. Emerald represents prosperity, sophistication and luxury in many cultures making it a stylish choice for high-end fashion and home goods.
Eiseman said in the press release, “As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world.
2012 – Pantone 17-1463 Tangerine Tango
Tangerine Tango is an optimistic reddish-orange. This colour was featured prominently by fashion designers in 2012 with Tommy Hilfiger, Nanette Lepore, Elie Tahari and Adrienne Vittadini showcasing it in their spring collections.
The release announcing its selection described Tangerine Tango as the energy boost we needed in order to recharge and move forward.
2011 – Pantone 18-2120 Honeysuckle
In 2011 Pantone selected Honeysuckle, a dynamic reddish pink. Pantone also released a popular line of bridesmaid dresses with The Dessy Group in 200 colours and the Honeysuckle dress was everywhere at 2011 weddings
“Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigour…Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting,” the release explained. “It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.”
2010 - Pantone 15-5519 Turquoise
In 2010 the financial crisis was still affecting many Americans and Pantone decided we could all use a little escape.
“Turquoise is believed to be a protective talisman, a colour of deep compassion and healing, and a colour of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky,” said Eiseman. “Through years of colour word-association studies, we also find that Turquoise represents an escape to many – taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy.”
Do you remember these colour trends throughout the years? You may recall them better than other events. Research shows that our memory works better with colour than black and white. Definitely something to consider in future store décor and brand design.