The colour experts at Pantone have announced that their Colour of the Year for 2021 is Illuminating yellow and Ultimate Gray.
PANTONE® 17-5104 Ultimate Gray and PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating
Two independent colors that come together to support one another and create an aspirational color pairing, joining deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the optimistic promise of a sunshine filled day.
“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 Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. “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.”
“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.” added Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute. “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.”
This subtle and versatile tone which works well with any number of complementary shades, is a pairing of ‘Illuminating’ and ‘Ultimate Gray’. Ultimate Gray reflects on 2020 as a year and Illuminating is full of hope for the future. Ultimate Gray also brings a sense of comfort, and Illuminating a sense of positivity, making these two shades the perfect combination for 2021 Colour of the Year!
Pantone paired their trend-focused grey with vibrant canary yellow, bringing a ray of sunshine to the atmospheric shade.
