Pantone reveals the trendy colors of 2021

With only a few weeks left until the end of 2020, color experts have already determined the main colors that will mark the guide this coming year

For more than 20 years the Pantone Color Institute presents the Pantone Color of the year, which as its name suggests, is the color or shade that will be trendy in the field of fashion and beauty, as well as in decoration, art and even in product packaging and graphic design.

This time, however, they have chosen not one, but two colors of the year: PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray and PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating.

Pantone Color of de year - PCG Barcelona

Photo: courtesy from Pantone

 

As it happened in 2016 with Rose Quartz 13-1520 and Serenity 15-3919, this 2021 the Ultimate Gray and Illuminating are the two colors chosen to define the chromatic trend of this next year. As the company says, these two colors are not meant to be independent, but have to be presented together.

 

What is the experts’ explanation for this selection?

As if it were a premonition, last year the color chosen was Classic Blue, a tone that we can closely relate to the world of health. For this year, the Color Institute wanted to highlight a warm and optimistic color combination, which for next year represents the optimism and strength that we will need so much after the uncertainty of 2020.

 

“As people look for ways to fortify themselves with energy, clarity, and hope to overcome the continuing uncertainty, spirited and emboldening shades satisfy our quest for vitality. PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is a bright and cheerful yellow sparkling with vivacity, a warming yellow shade imbued with solar power. PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray is emblematic of solid and dependable elements which are everlasting and provide a firm foundation. The colors of pebbles on the beach and natural elements whose weathered appearance highlights an ability to stand the test of time, Ultimate Gray quietly assures, encouraging feelings of composure, steadiness and resilience.” reveals Pantone.

 

The company emphasizes that the combination of vibrant yellow and gray “highlights our innate need to be seen, to be visible, to be recognized, to have our voices heard”. So we see that it is not just a matter of choosing a color, it is an intention to communicate a feeling and meaning that goes beyond the purely aesthetic. After this strange 2020 that we have experienced, the company is committed to a more positive vision and chooses to convey a message of hope for this coming year.