Moving from the shock of a pandemic that gripped the majority of 2020 to the beginning of a new year upon us, it’s safe to say that not all hope is lost. Pantone is here to remind us that life is chock-full of color with not one, but two colors of the year for 2021 – Ultimate Gray and Illuminating (yellow). Here’s to a bright year around the sun!
As a recap, Classic Blue 19-4052 was Pantone’s 2020 color of the year. On the darker side of the blue spectrum, Classic Blue has a warm hue, unleashing calm in chaos. It’s a dependable color, maybe even a safe haven when it boils down to lifestyle choices. Grounding, versatile and Van Gogh’s The Starry Night first comes to mind when I see this color. Classic Blue represents an endless sea of possibilities whereby we reach for the sky. These underlying meanings represent just what we needed in 2020.
Imbued with a deep resonance, Classic Blue provides an anchoring foundation. A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking; challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective and open the flow of communication.
Leatrice Eiseman – Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute
PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating are two contrasting colors that people don’t normally associate together. But, that’s the fun to it! Ultimate Gray merges with Illuminating yellow to form a rock solid alliance – a soft shade against a bright, sunny one where opposites attract and balance achieved. Despite uncertainty still prevalent in 2021, there is light at the end of the tunnel and solutions to pressing issues. As Pantone intends, Ultimate Gray represents the supportive force of a rock and Illuminating offers warmth and optimism. Strength combines with positivity. Hence, take this as a reminder to have renewed faith and hope that times are changing for the better.
