It has been a year like no other. So just for the second time since the inauguration of the Color of the Year, the Pantone Color Institute announces not one, but two colors to reflect the culture of the coming year.
Since 2000, this global authority on color has been influencing fashion trends and buying decisions world-wide by announcing a Color of the Year. To aid their decision, Pantone looks globally for color influences. Trends considered include pop culture, film, popular travel destinations, socio-economic conditions, organic elements, art, fashion, and much more.
The choice to include two colors for 2021 is a reflection of the impact of the pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. And the need for a solid foundation and hope that the start of the new year brings.
Colors in more detail:
PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray
Ultimate Gray is a solid and dependable color and conveys “resilience,” the color and design arbiter explains in its announcement. The shade provides a firm foundation and is seen in pebbles on the beach and other weathered, natural elements that highlight “an ability to stand the test of time.”solid and dependable” and conveys “resilience,” the color and design arbiter explains in its announcement. The shade provides a firm foundation and is seen in pebbles on the beach and other weathered, natural elements that highlight “an ability to stand the test of time.”
PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating
Illuminating Yellow is a bright and cheerful yellow sparkling with vivacity. It reflects the aspiration and hope that things are going to get better and that the world will return to some semblance of normalcy. “We need to feel that everything is going to get brighter — this is essential to the human spirit,” the Pantone color experts write.
The combination of colors acknowledges the hopes and fears for 2021. And we are counting the days till the new year dawns.