Every year Pantone chooses a color that sets the trend all over the world, but not many know how it is decided
Despite having been the universal color identification system and the established color palette paradigm for over 50 years, it wasn’t until the year 2000 that Pantone started to proclaim a color of the year. The turn of the century marked the beginning of a trend, starting with ‘Cerulean Blue,’ which Pantone identified with ‘the sky’s color on a serene day.’ This would be followed by ‘True Red’ in 2001, aimed to symbolize the impact of the 9/11 attacks, a day that shook the world; then the equally acclaimed and criticized ‘Marsala,’ and Pink Quartz and Serenity (two hues were picked for the first time in 2016).
Nowadays, the Pantone Color of the Year has become an institution, and many designers worldwide await its announcement, which takes place towards the end of the year with trepidation. The Pantone Color of the year forecasts the color trend we will see in the world of fashion, graphic and web design, and on an infinity of products. However, not many people know who decides which will be the ‘Color of the Year’ or how they do it.
All sorts of theories have been developed around who decides the year’s color and how they go about it. Urban legend ranges from ultra-secret meetings worthy of a spy movie to the absurd hypothesis that it is randomly chosen after consuming a few bottles of alcohol. What is certain is that the people deciding the trends that will rule the color world over the following year all have names and carry out a tremendous amount of work to make this decision.
Forty experts from around the world decide the color trend dictated by Pantone–among them Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone Color Institute; Laurie Pressman, vice president of Pantone Color Institute, and color consultant David Shah. To reach their goal, they carry out an arduous observation and investigation task, way beyond the world of art and design. The Pantone Color of the Year derives from cinema and fashion, social and political changes, and global events that mark the international scenery.
The decision to select a definite color from within Pantone's immense palette is a thorough observation process only those in the know, who have been working for years predicting trends can accomplish. The colors selected by Pantone already exist, and we already have them in our lives. What color experts do is recognize the place these colors deserve, also paying attention to new areas where these colors will be applied.
Another defining element in selecting the Pantone Color of the Year is giving it a name. Once the color has been chosen comes the moment of labeling it appropriately. Once again, this task requires a process of investigation to ensure that the name does the color and the emotions it must awaken in those who see it, justice. It also must fulfill these requirements on a global level. The Pantone Color of the Year is a color for the whole world.
Read here to find out some predictions on what the 2021 Pantone Color of the Year could be.
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