Once a year, in a secret part of Europe, a group of elite color strategists, psychologists, and trend forecasters stare deep into a giant crystal ball and channel visions of the future. Well, half of that is true—the other half is a little more pragmatic. For that last 17 years, the Pantone Color Institute has presented to the world its Pantone Color of the Year. The group pays close attention to big picture demographics such as Hollywood films, fashion, technology, and popular travel destinations. Then they crunch thousands of data points down to one relevant color that sets the global tone for the entire following year. In its introduction to 2016’s color of the year, Rose Quartz and Serenity, Pantone stated “…as consumers seek mindfulness and wellbeing as an antidote to modern day stresses, welcoming colors that psychologically fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent.” As designers, we certainly saw these influences in our work as clients moved away from big pops of color in favor of more soothing palettes in the workplace.
