Pantone’s 2019 Color of the Year

It’s the most wonderful time of year, and for once we aren’t talking about the holidays! Pantone officially announced their 2019 Color of the Year and designers everywhere, including yours truly, are pretty inspired. What is it? Living Coral.

Pantone 16-1546   

Described as vibrant, yet mellow, warm and nourishing, Pantone 16-1546 aka Living Coral is undoubtedly a bold selection for 2019’s Color of the Year. The pink-tinted hue is intended to welcome and encourage lighthearted activity, while embodying individuals’ desires for playful expression. Thanks to Pantone’s partnerships, designers can get their hands on this color through a curated collection of stock photos on Adobe Stock, or by utilizing innovation consultancy Material ConneXion.

How’s It Picked?

Ever wondered how the Pantone Color of the Year is selected and why a specific shade is chosen over another? The New York Times was curious too. And upon further investigation (aka a conversation with the Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute^TM), it was discovered that there’s actually quite a few things that influence the decision. Since the Color of the Year is meant to be a retinal reflection of the cultural moment, things like current technology, film & design, visual art, nature, sports and fashion all play a role in the color of choice.

Hence, Coral.

This year, (unsurprisingly) nature was the leading influence for the 2019 color decision. Pantone wanted to pay homage to the many endangered coral reefs around the world, and thus chose the vibrant shade of Living Coral. Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman summed his decision up best when saying, “just like coral nurtures marine life, we want to nurture the color and keep it alive.”

Want a design inspired by the 2019 Pantone Color of the Year? Email our Director of Business Development, Steve, at skandray@mcconnellmarketing.com for a custom quote!

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