nosleepnewyork“Inventive and imaginative, Ultra Violet lights the way to what is yet to come.”
Well, it’s finally here: Pantone has officially decided on what color 2018 will be from their color library, as Pantone paves the way for developing trends of the new year. A thoughtfully chosen color, 18-3838 Ultra Violet is 2018’s Color of the Year, and it’s certainly here to stay.
The Pantone Color Institute forecasts global color trends and advises companies on color in brand identity and product development, for the application and integration of color as a strategic asset. Pantone Color Institute partners with global brands to leverage the power, psychology, and emotion of color in their design strategy.
So what exactly does this color symbolize? Out of all colors in the Pantone universe, why Ultra Violet? According to Pantone:
A dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.
Complex and contemplative, Ultra Violet suggests the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now. The vast and limitless night sky is symbolic of what is possible and continues to inspire the desire to pursue a world beyond our own.
Nuanced and full of emotion, the depth of PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet symbolizes experimentation and non-conformity, spurring individuals to imagine their unique mark on the world, and push boundaries through creative outlets.
Pantone also states that enigmatic purples have a long-standing history of counterculture, being brilliantly artistic with distinct unconventionality.
Icons of the past, including the likes of Prince, Jimi Hendrix, and David Bowie, had brought Ultra Violet to the forefront of western pop culture. They expressed their individualism through this bold and daring color, and represent ideas of going against the grain in a society that tends to batter us down. They proved that being different is okay, and should, in fact, be embraced.
Pantone also points out that, “historically, there has been a mystical or spiritual quality attached to Ultra Violet. The color is often associated with mindfulness practices, which offer a higher ground to those seeking refuge from today’s over-stimulated world. The use of purple-toned lighting in meditation spaces and other gathering places energizes the communities that gather there and inspire connection.”
So, please welcome the official color of 2018: PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet. May we cherish is, appreciate it, and develop ourselves more artistically through this highly regarded color of the past, present, and an uncertain but blazingly unorthodox future.