Pantone’s Color of the Year 2020: Classic Blue

This year’s Color of the Year is PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue. A deep blue hue, Classic Blue is calming, sedate — and, indeed, classic.

Every year, the Pantone Color Institute announces their chosen Color of the Year. Their thoughtful color analysis is based on movies, media, fashion, art and other sources of inspiration.

A Blue that is Truly a Classic

In a statement announcing the 2020 Color of the year, Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, said of Classic Blue, “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, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on. Imbued with a deep resonance, Classic Blue provides an anchoring foundation.” Pantone describes the hue as one that reminds us of the sky at dusk, is thought-provoking and brings with it feelings of peace and tranquility. Eiseman further described the 2020 blue as, “A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky. 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.” 

The Pantone Color Institute, a business unit within Pantone, highlights the top seasonal colors in fashion, forecasts global color trends, and advises on color for product and brand identity. For over 20 years, the Color of the Year has made an impact on multiple industries, such as fashion, interior and industrial design, as well as product packaging and graphic design.

Pantone describes 19-4052 Classic Blue as, “Instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.”

While you may not be seeing this blue everywhere yet, in the past Pantone’s Color of the Year selections have proven to be quite discerning. Looking back at previous Colors of the Year, you can see how design has followed Pantone’s choice. Perhaps not as much in 2019’s 16-1546 Living Coral, which may have been overtaken in a sea of bright colors and neons in nail and makeup trends and an explosion of pink on the runways. But the 2018 Color of the Year, 18-3838 Ultra Violet, was seen on runways in both spring and fall as well as in wedding floral trends. And 2017’s 15-0343 Greenery was the shade that launched a million app logos, such as Spotify, Acer, Quickbooks and WhatsApp.

How to Use the New Blue

Color psychology calls blue a non-threatening color that can seem conservative or traditional. Certainly, 19-4052 Classic Blue can be used to instill feelings of stability and reliability, as well as calmness and serenity. To help you figure out how to best use the Color of the Year, Pantone has created several palettes in calm and colorful harmonies. As those palettes illustrate, 19-4052 Classic Blue contrasts well with coral colors and peachy tones or bright green and chartreuse shades. It also pairs nicely with a deep rosy mauve.

Blue shades have often been used for logos and branding in the medical and healthcare field because of the feelings of credibility and trust that blue inspires. In other industries, a deep blue label can stand out in a sea of millennial pink and pastel packaging or can be used in harmony with those muted shades. Additionally, by incorporating texture, foil and other embellishments, you can create soothing visions of starry skies, misty mountaintops or the moon reflected on calm water.

How will you include 19-4052 Classic Blue in your designs for 2020? Embossing Plus can help you find the best ways to use Pantone’s Color of the Year.

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