Pantone Colors of the Year 2021

WORDS Michaela Stehr IMAGES via pantone.com

Pantone has introduced two colours of the year for 2021, PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Grey and PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating.

The two colours can work independently or together, with the grey representing a strong and solid foundation for the optimism evoked by the warmer yellow hue.

While both colours represent objects seen within the built environment, such as buildings and road signs, these colours are also mirrored in nature, from granite boulders and stones to flowers and sunshine.

The colours are also said to represent acknowledgement, regeneration and rebuilding of life, society, and positivity.

“The union of an enduring Ultimate Grey with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude,” says Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a colour combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted; this is essential to the human spirit.”

For more information, visit pantone.com.