Everywhere we turn, we’re surrounded by color. Obvious statement—I know, but if you really think about it, we’re basically living inside our own rainbow. For designers, color plays a huge part of the design process. From choosing a color palette to going to press-checks to make sure those colors printed correctly, color on its own is just as imperative as good design. In fact, there are a ton of studies on the effect that certain colors have on our psyche and emotions.
For those of you unfamiliar with the design-nerd culture, Pantone is a pretty big deal. Pantone, the “world-renowned authority on color,” is responsible for setting the standard language for color communication on all fronts—from designer to manufacturer to retailer to customer.*
With that being said, I’m super excited to announce Pantone’s color of the year for 2018: Ultra Violet 18-3838. No—purple isn’t my favorite color, but my favorite emoji is (🔮), therefore I’m an automatic fan.
Here’s what Pantone has to say about the new color of the year:
“We are living in a time that requires inventiveness and imagination. 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.”
—Leatrice Eiseman / Executive Director of The Pantone Color Institute
Prince would be proud.
Here’s to a royal 2018.
PS: Shout to Colleen for giving up her signed Pantone book that my mom scored from Goodwill.
