Pantone reveals its TWO colors of the year for 2021 are ‘Illuminating’ yellow and ‘Ultimate Gray’ – a pairing which is ‘practical and rock solid’ as well as ‘warming and optimistic’
- Pantone has released its official Color of the Year for 2021 – and there are two
- According to branding company, the two shades must be presented together
- Conveys ‘message of strength and hopefulness both enduring and uplifting’
- Company’s color choices tend to forecast trends in fashion, design and decor
Pantone has selected two shades for its official Color of the Year for 2021 – ‘Illuminating’ yellow and ‘Ultimate Gray’.
According to the branding company, the marriage of the two colors is intended to convey a message of ‘strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting’.
It claims the two independent colors highlight how different elements come together to support one another – a seeming nod towards the difficulties posed across the world this year by the coronavirus pandemic.
Pantone previously selected two colors – Rose Quartz, a soft pink, and Serenity, a baby blue – in 2015 for the first time to celebrate society’s move towards ‘gender equality and fluidity’.
Pantone has selected two shades for its official Color of the Year for 2021 – ‘Illuminating’ yellow and ‘Ultimate Gray’
This year’s pairing of was chosen to ‘best express the mood’ of this year’s Color of the Year.
Hailed for its versatility, grey has long been a popular color in interiors, with influencers like Mrs Hinch adopting the colour scheme throughout their homes.
Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said: ‘Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, the union of PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is one of strength and positivity.
‘It is a story of color that encapsulates deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the promise of something sunny and friendly.
‘A message of happiness supported by fortitude, the combination is aspirational and gives us hope.
‘We need to feel that everything is going to get brighter – this is essential to the human spirit.’
Pantone claims the two independent colors highlight how different elements come together to support one another – a seeming nod towards the difficulties posed across the world this year by the coronavirus pandemic
The shade of warm yellow, ‘imbued with solar power’, is described as ‘bright and cheerful’ and ‘sparkling with vivacity’.
Meanwhile the gray is ’emblematic of solid and dependable elements which are everlasting and provide a firm foundation’.
Eiseman added: ‘Ultimate Gray quietly assures, encouraging feelings of composure, steadiness and resilience.’
Since 2000, Pantone’s Color of the Year tends to forecast trends in fashion, design, and home decor.
Pantone chose Classic Blue as its color of the year for 2020 – a shade that is meant to inspire feelings of calm, security, peace, and confidence
Pantone’s system of selecting the yearly color trend includes polling designers, manufacturers, and retailers about what colors they plan to use in their products in the upcoming 12 months.
It also looks to the entertainment and film industry, art and fashion world, as well as socio-economics for inspiration.
Influences may also stem from new technologies, materials, textures, and effects that impact color, relevant social media platforms and even upcoming sporting events that capture worldwide attention.
Pantone chose Classic Blue as its color of the year for 2020. It picked Living Coral for 2019 and Ultra Violet the year before that.