Inventive and imaginative Ultra Violet lights the way to what is yet to come: Pantone
Pantone, a provider of professional colour language standards and digital solutions, today announced Pantone 18-3838, Ultra Violet, as the Color of the Year for 2018. A dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking that points us towards the future.
“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 Color Institute. “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.”
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.
Enigmatic purples have also long been symbolic of counter-culture, unconventionality and artistic brilliance. Musical icons Prince, David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix brought shades of Ultra Violet to the forefront of Western pop culture as personal expressions of individuality. Nuanced and full of emotion, the depth of Ultra Violet symbolizes experimentation and non-conformity, spurring individuals to imagine their unique mark on the world and push boundaries through creative outlets.
Historically, there has been a mystical or spiritual quality attached to Ultra Violet. The colour 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.
“The Pantone Color of the Year has come to mean so much more than ‘what’s trending’ in the world of design ; it’s truly a reflection of what’s needed in our world today,” added Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute. “As individuals around the world become more fascinated with colour and realize its ability to convey deep messages and meanings, designers and brands should feel empowered to use color to inspire and influence. The Color of the Year is one moment in time that provides strategic direction for the world of trend and design, reflecting the Pantone Color Institute’s year-round work doing the same for designers and brands.”
The Color of the Year selection process requires thoughtful consideration and trend analysis. To arrive at the selection each year, Pantone’s color experts comb the world looking for new colour influences. This can include the entertainment industry and films in production, travelling art collections and new artists, fashion, all areas of design, popular travel destinations as well as new lifestyles, play styles and socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from new technologies, materials, textures and effects that impact colour, relevant social media platforms and even up-coming sporting events that capture worldwide attention. For 19 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.
Ultra Violet in Home Decor
In interiors, Ultra Violet can transform a room into one of extraordinary self-expression, or conversely its polish can tone down a room with subdued, modern pairings. Adding spice and brightness, Ultra Violet calls attention to a tufted couch, piece of art or accent wall. As a colour that can take you in so many directions, Ultra Violet makes a statement in any space, whether it’s one of tradition and elegance or unexpected boldness. In hospitality, we are seeing purples like Ultra Violet take centre stage in interior spaces as large and small hotels harness color and design to entice travelers and stay relevant.
Saatchi Art
As an expression of the imagination and creativity that Ultra Violet provokes, Pantone has partnered with Saatchi Art (SaatchiArt.com), the world’s leading online gallery for emerging art, to create a limited edition collection of official Pantone Color of the Year 2018 prints. The collection, available for purchase beginning January 1, 2018 will include new works by international artists working in painting, sculpture and printmaking, that embody the spirit of Ultra Violet.
Pantone Color of Year 2018 Guides
For the first time, Pantone will also release limited edition collections of Pantone Color of the Year 2018 guides as collector items for designers to enable them to more easily integrate Ultra Violet into their workflow. Sold exclusively on Pantone.com, these guides are perfect gifts for designers who are already on the pulse of colour trends, or for up-and-comers who want to deck out their desk with the sleekest tools.
pantone.com/color-of-the-year-2018