American color company Pantone has chosen "universal favorite" Classic Blue, or Pantone 19-4052, as its color of the year for 2020.
Announced on December 4, the Classic Blue color is described by Pantone as “a reassuring presence instilling calm, confidence and connection”, according to Dezeen.
“Associated with the return of another day, this universal favorite is comfortably embraced,” it added.
While this year's color Living Coral was an “animating and life-affirming,” 2020's shade “brings a sense of peace and tranquility to the human spirit, offering refuge,” according to the company.
Dezeen notes that the cobalt blue hue is also said to be associated with communication, introspection and clarity. Other benefits of the hue reportedly include aiding concentration and helping to re-center thoughts, particularly in light of technology's accelerating developments.
"A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, Pantone 19-4052 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," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone Color Institute.
“We are living in a time that requires trust and faith,” she added. “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.”
In 2019, Pantone Color Institute chose coral hue or Pantone 16-1546 Living Coral as the color of the year.
For more than 20 years, Pantone’s Color of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home furnishings, and industrial design, as well as product, packaging, and graphic design. Since 2000, it has chosen a color of the year decided from trend-forecasting research performed by the Pantone Color Institute. Color experts at the Pantone Color Institute note that the Color of the Year selection process requires thoughtful consideration and trend analysis
The Pantone Color Institute is the business unit within Pantone that highlights top seasonal runway colors, forecasts global color trends, and advises companies on color for product and brand visual identity. Through seasonal trend forecasts, color psychology, and color consulting, the Pantone Color Institute partners with global brands to leverage the power, psychology, and emotion of color in their design strategy.
