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As marketers, naturally, we’re eager to learn what the Pantone Color of the Year is but we understand that not everyone shares our interest. However… we think they should!
The Pantone Color of the Year isn’t just a random color that is selected for fun to change things up. It serves as a color trend forecast for the consumer. This means the color chosen is intended to impact consumer products, packaging, and design across multiple industries and is believed to influence end user purchasing decisions.
So, what is the Pantone Color of the Year? It’s actually a combination of two colors this year (which is a first!):
PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating
Pantone explains the combination as, “a marriage of color conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting.” The Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, Leatrice Eiseman went on to share, “the union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude. Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a color combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted; this is essential to the human spirit.”
It’s obvious how much the trials and tribulations of 2020 have influenced the 2021 color choices and Pantone appears to have nailed this year on the head when it comes to what consumers need and want to see and feel.
We are excited to keep an eye on the incorporation of these colors in marketing and consumer goods in the upcoming year.
Can you see your adoption of Ultimate Gray and Illuminating in your business this year?