The Pantone colors of the year 2021 are ‘Ultimate Gray’ (a light gray) and ‘Illuminating’ (a strong yellow). According to the Pantone Color Institute, it is an 'ensemble with an encouraging message of strength and hope'. Leatrice Eiseman (Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute) explains on the Pantone website: “Together, the solid Ultimate Gray and the radiant Illuminating convey a positive message of inner power. Practical and robust, but also warming and optimistic - this is a color combination for hope and resilience. Strength and confidence are nourishment for the human soul."
As our picture series shows, we will see many influences of these colors in product design in various areas in 2021 as well. There are excellent opportunities for the green sector, as many plants and flowers are YELLOW and can be easily combined with gray, especially in a floristic context. Many foliage plants also show a grayish shimmer and should enjoy additional use.
We are happy to look back to 2012 and show the colors of the respective years. For the first time, Pantone named two colors in 2016 (Rose Quartz and Serenity) and now the Pantone Color Institute has gone this way for the second time with Ultimate Gray and Illuminating
We would be happy to advise you on what influences the color of the year has on your product developments or in what way Ultimate Gray and Illuminating can support your advertising.