Trend Alert: Colour of the Year 2021

Pantone, the global color authority and provider of professional color language standards and digital solutions for the design community, have announced PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Grey and PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating, as the Pantone Color of the Year selection for 2021 – two independent colours that come together to create an aspirational color pairing, conjoining deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the optimistic promise of a sunshine filled day.

Illuminating is a bright and cheerful yellow, and Ultimate Grey is a cool solid grey highlighting natural elements and encouraging feelings of composure, steadiness and resilience.

Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, said: “The selection of two independent colors highlight how different elements come together to express a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting, conveying the idea that it’s not about one color or one person, it’s about more than one. The union of an enduring Ultimate Grey with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude. Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a color combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted, this is essential to the human spirit.”

Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, said: “The Pantone Color of the Year reflects what is taking place in our global culture, expressing what people are looking for that color can hope to answer. As society continues to recognize color as a critical form of communication, and a way to symbolize thoughts and ideas, many designers and brands are embracing the language of color to engage and connect.”

Called ‘a marriage of strength and optimism’, here’s how to include Ultimate Grey and Illuminating in your big day for 2021…

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