Ultra Violet is 2018 Pantone Colour of Year
And the winner of Pantone Colour of the Year 2018 is… Ultra Violet!
Whether you’re in fashion design, interior design, product design or website design, the Pantone Colour of the Year announcement is one of the biggest events in the calendar. The time has come for 2018, with the renowned Pantone Colour Institute crowning the top shade as Ultra Violet.
Pantone’s Color of the Year follows 2017’s choice of “greenery”, which was representative of new beginnings, depicting the “reassurance we yearn for amid a tumultuous social and political environment.”
Interpreting Ultra Violet
It’s a different tune, however, for this thoughtful and provocative purple shade, with Pantone saying it communicates “originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking.”
“We are living in a time that requires inventiveness and imagination. It is this kind of creative inspiration that is indigenous to PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet, a blue-based purple that takes our awareness and potential to a higher level”, said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Colour Institute, in a statement. “From exploring new technologies and the greater galaxy, to artistic expression and spiritual reflection, intuitive Ultra Violet lights the way to what is yet to come”.
Dramatically moodier than its predecessors, Ultra Violet is a reflection of the world’s current climate while throwing a nod to the 80’s revival and symbols of counterculture bought to the forefront by musical icons David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix and Prince.
Adding to this, there has historically been a mystical and spiritual quality attributed to Ultra Violet, often associated with mindfulness practices. Your local meditation centre or yoga studio might use purple toned lighting or décor to energise their community, promote healing and inspire connection.
Using Ultra Violet in graphic design
Purple gets the best of both worlds. It represents the stability of blue while boasting the energy of red. It has a long history of prestige and nobility, dating back to ancient times when creating purple required extraction from snails (which was a very expensive practice), so only royals and the extremely wealthy could afford it.
Other terms associated with purple include femininity, creativity, mystery, sophistication, magic, ambition and romance. When aligning your colours with your brand archetype, ask yourself: Does my brands values match any of these labels?
As purple is a colour which appears very little in nature – aside from florals – it’s recommended not to use Ultra Violet in graphic design when trying to portray a sense of “natural”. Because of its dynamic mode and multi-dimensional feeling, varieties of Ultra Violet are used by forward-looking brands in the luxury and beauty worlds who face stiff competition in an attempt to stand out.
About Pantone Colour of the Year
You might not think about it on a literal level, but colour is a major influencer of how we feel, not just our personal relationships, but on a social and cultural level too. The Pantone Color Institute understands the importance of colours ability to communicate meaningful messages, encouraging designers and brands to use colour to motivate and influence. The Pantone Color of the Year is a response to the collective consciousness and a strategic direction for the world of design and trend.
Pantone’s Colour of the Year has been in existence since 2000 – past winners include “Rose Quartz” and “Serenity” in 2016, “Marsala” in 2015 and “Radiant Orchid” in 2014.
At iFactory, we believe that the right colours in branding and design can affect our everyday lives. If you’re ready to grow your business through branding and design, connect with our friendly creative team today on 07 3844 0577.
