Every year since 2000, Pantone has chosen a color to reflect the current social, political, and environmental state of the world. Last year's color was Living Coral, a reference to the ocean's rapidly dying coral reefs. This year they've chosen 19-4052 Classic Blue, to evoke a sense of simplicity, tranquility, and confidence heading into this new decade.

We are living in a time that requires trust and faith. It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed by PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on... A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking; challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective and open the flow of communication.

Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute

Blue in Color Theory

What does the color blue remind you of? A calm ocean? A clear sky? The corporate ladder? Although the primary color can have these connotations, it can also mean reliability, energy, and strength. The image of a sky at dusk comes to mind, a symbol of "crossing into a new era."

Color matters. It's an essential component of marketing and design, as it can put your audience in a specific frame of mind while they're absorbing your content. A darker blue is said to evoke trust and authority, while lighter shades express peace and spirituality. For example, the color blue can be used for a brand wanting to label themselves as professional; or maybe as a calming choice for a meditation app.

Blue is a very versatile color and has many different meanings across cultures. Definitely do your research if it's something you're interested in using.

Calm is a meditation app that uses blue as its major brand color.

our designers' thoughts

GLORIA, creative lead: As we enter a new decade I see why Pantone picked classic blue hue for their color of the year 2020; they are going back to the beginning, to their first color of the year 2000..."cerulean blue" a lighter and powdery shade of blue. That also represented calmness and tranquility. Personally I don't like blues, but I understand the meaning behind why this color was chosen and also think was the right choice for this color to represent this new century!

NATALY, sr. graphic designer: My first thought was, why? That color has always felt to me representative of corporations and businesses. After I read the intentions behind choosing this color, I definitely like it a lot more. I like that it reminds me of dusk. Is it non-aggressive and easily relatable? I don't know; I don't really get that aspect of it. But it's definitely calming, peaceful and deep.

LISA, jr. graphic designer: Classic Blue, the ocean and the starry blue sky color gave me a sense of peacefulness and calmness. It is more of an educational color, but thinking how this color will work throughout the year, I don’t think is too bad. Since the 2019 color represented energy, the 2020 color might give the design industry a feeling of security, calmness, and serenity.

Pantone has always preferred to take the positive view on every color they choose, no matter how daunting the reason behind it. Last year's Living Coral was an active choice to showcase a world we all want, instead of emphasizing the bad. This year's Classic Blue is a comforting end to the decade and a restful start to the new year.

What do you think of this year's Pantone color? Let us know in the comments!

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