For more than two decades, the Pantone Color Institute has been selecting a prime color to represent each year. To do that, its global team of experts study color influences from different fields such as the film and fashion industries, travel destinations, other areas of design, and socio-economic conditions. More recently, they have also looked into new technologies, materials, textures, and social media, among others, in predicting the perfect hue for every year.
“The color we select to be our Pantone Color of the Year is bigger than one region or one sector of design,” Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, says. “It is a color we see crossing all areas of design; a color that serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude on the part of the consumers, a color that will resonate around the world, a color that reflects what people are looking for, a color that can hope to answer what they feel they need.”
The goal of selecting the Color of the Year is to help companies and individuals understand the power of a color, whether it is for them to make a successful design or use it to better showcase their personality. According to Laurie, the selection also highlights the relationship between culture and color. With that, we are listing down every Color of the Year Pantone has forecasted since 2000 and what each of them represent.
2000: Cerulean
Dubbed as the “Color of the Millennium,” Cerulean is the first Color of the Year predicted by the Pantone Color Institute. It represents a sense of peace, fulfillment, and a look forward to the future.
2001: Fuchsia Rose
Pantone Color Institute’s pick for 200 is the feminine, bright, and passionate hue Fuchsia Rose.
2002: True Red
A color that reflects patriotism, True Red is said to recognize the effects and impact of the 9/11 attack in the US.
2003: Aqua Sky
For its 2003 prediction, Pantone has chosen a soft and calm tone of blue, Aqua Sky, which is all about new hope and serenity.
2004: Tigerlily
Inspired by earth's natural flower, the Tigerlily is an exotic color that symbolizes passion and rejuvenation.
2005: Blue Turquoise
Another nod to the colors of nature, Blue Turquoise is a gentler tone of blue that’s also reminiscent of the color of the ocean.
2006: Sand Dollar
Chosen to represent the economic troubles in 2006, Sand Dollar is a neutral tone that mirrors the hues of desert and sandy beaches.
2007: Chili Pepper
A deep and spicy color, Chili Pepper is from the red family and is described as bold, striking, and has a sense of adventure.
2008: Blue Iris
A mix of blue and purple qualities, Blue Iris is a meditative, mystical, and spiritual color.
2009: Mimosa
Much like the flower and the famous drink, Mimosa color calls for a party. A warm and energetic shade of yellow, the color is a sign of optimism, hope, innovation, and reassurance.
2010: Turquoise
Turquoise is an inviting and luminous color that combines the tranquil quality of blue and green’s invigorating spirit. It also represents deep compassion and healing, as well as faith and truth.
2011: Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle is a festive reddish pink tone that invites everyone to “face everyday troubles with verve and vigor.”
2012: Tangerine Tango
Defined as a spirited reddish orange, Tangerine Tango is a dramatic and seductive color. It is radiant like the color of the sunset and warm and friendly thanks to its touch of yellow.
2013: Emerald
Promoting balance and harmony, Emerald is the color of growth, renewal, and prosperity. Like the precious gemstone, it is also imbued with the sense of sophistication and luxury.
2014: Radiant Orchid
According to Pantone Color Institute, Radiant Orchid’s rosy undertones radiate on the skin, producing a healthy glow when worn by both men and women. It is exuberant and an attention-getter color.
2015: Marsala
Like a fine wine, Marsala is described as rich and earthy with its red-brown roots, giving a sophisticated and organic effect.
2016: Rose Quartz and Serenity
A harmonious pairing, Rose Quartz and Serenity have been hailed as the colors to represent 2016. Rose Quartz conveys compassion and a sense of composure, while Serenity is calming and relaxing.
2017: Greenery
Greenery is a fresh and zesty color. This yellow-green shade is an ode to nature, and “is also emblematic of the pursuit of personal passions and vitality.”
2018: Ultra Violet
Mystical and enigmatic, Ultra Violet is a provocative and thoughtful shade of purple suggesting the mysteries of the cosmos and “the desire to pursue a world beyond our own.”
2019: Living Coral
A nurturing color, Living Coral aims to give warmth and nourishment, as well as comfort in our ever-changing environment. It is a color that’s present in our surroundings and on social media.
2020: Classic Blue
Timeless and simple, Classic Blue stands for peace and resilience. Like the color of sky at dusk, it highlights “our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.”
2021: Illuminating and Ultimate Gray
Illuminating and Ultimate Gray is a duo that conveys a message of strength and hopefulness. The pair is a “story of color that encapsulates deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the promise of something sunny and friendly.”
2022: Very Peri
A color representing personal inventiveness and creativity, Very Peri is a shade that combines periwinkle blue and violet red, and is described as the “happiest and warmest of all the blue hues.”
2023: Viva Magenta
A hue representing bravery and fearlessness, Viva Magenta is a vivid color that’s all about joy and new narratives. From the red family, the color explores the “dynamic between artificial intelligence and human creativity.”
2024: Peach Fuzz
Peach Fuzz is a warm and cozy color that combines pink and orange qualities. It is about “our desire to nurture ourselves and others.” It aims to present a sense of belongingness, the joy in moment of stillness with others, and empathy and compassion.
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