Pantone Keeps it Classic for the 2020 Color of the Year

“The sky at dusk”. That’s how Pantone describes 2020’s Color of the Year, Classic Blue - or PANTONE 19-4052, to be specific. For more than 20 years, Pantone’s Color of the Year has affected purchasing decisions and design trends across multiple industries from fashion and home furnishings to industrial design and product packaging. The annual color announcement is becoming more influential each year, so prepare to see Classic Blue everywhere and in everything.

The Color of the Year selection process is thoughtful and analytical. When choosing Classic Blue, the Pantone team first contemplated what was going on in our global culture. “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,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. This might sound like a familiar theme; 2019’s Color of the Year, Living Coral, “provide[ed] comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment.” Next year’s deep blue hue is a worthy and relevant successor, as it’s said to help with concentration and promote feelings of tranquility and calmness.

We welcomed the new millennium almost twenty years ago with Cerulean Blue, a color that brought the daytime sky to mind. Classic Blue is reminiscent of the sky at dusk, a color that signifies the day coming to an end and a new one beginning soon. Eiseman says, “The reassuring qualities of the thought-provoking Classic Blue highlight our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.” It’s a color that embodies hope and anticipation.

Laurie Pressman, VP of the Pantone Color Institute said in a press release, “It’s a color that can take on different appearances through different applications, finishes, and texture.” For those who want to quickly incorporate the color of 2020 into their lives, accent pieces are key. For offices, Pressman says it offers an air of security. For kitchens, it’s perfect for appliances and walls. Whether or not Pantone’s psychology is agreeable to everyone, one thing is for sure: Blue is approachable (and it’s hard to argue with a universally appealing blue).

Source: Pantone